Cushion of the Sea

New submarines undergo submersion testing to ascertain their depth ratings and their ability to operate underwater through a myriad of trials. After conducting such tests for many hours underwater and upon returning to the harbor, the captain was asked, "How did the terrible storm last night affect you?"  The officer looked at the Harbor Master  in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!"  The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as "the cushion of the sea."  Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred.

Being a Christian doesn't deliver us from the trials and troubles of life. We live in a broken world where it rains on the just as well as the unjust.  However, our faith in Christ gives us an anchor in the storm and a hiding place in the shadow of his wings. The mind is protected against the distracting waves of worry if  it is resting completely in the good providence of God.  There, sheltered by His grace and encouraged by His Holy Spirit, the believer can find the perfect tranquility that only Christ can provide.  "And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7) (Weymouth).

A pearl to string: The peace of God is an eternal calm like the "cushion of the sea." It lies so deep in our hearts that no circumstance or difficulty can reach it. We can go within and access that place at any time, and in doing so in the midst of difficult circumstances, we draw those around us into the presence of our God whose everlasting arms are beneath all of our stormy seas in life. Psalm 62:1 says, "My soul finds rest in God alone."  

In His presence there is 'undisturbable' calm,

                                                                   Lyndi

<:))))><

As David the Psalmist prayed, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past."  Psalm 57:1-2

Hurt?

Were you hurt in 2010? Or did you carry hurt into 2010? Still got it? Doesn’t that hurt feel heavy?  Do not underestimate the insidious, destructive effect that unresolved hurt and anger can have on every aspect of your life.  It’s like poison that swallows you.  It doesn’t do anything good to your face either.  Hurt shows no matter how big that smile might be.

Everyone has been wronged, offended, and sinned against at some point in life. How are we to respond when such offenses occur? Reading in The Word of God we learn that we are to forgive. Of course that can be easier said than done. (My personal little prayer, “Lord, please forgive them while I grow to it”) Ephesians 4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13 proclaims, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Is it possible to truly forgive all transgressions?

How do you forgive someone who physically abused you when you were a child?

How do you forgive someone who raped you or a family member?

How do you forgive someone who spread vicious and humiliating lies about you?

How do you forgive parents who put their own needs and egos way ahead of your basic emotional needs as a child?

How do you forgive a parent who left you when you were young?

How do you forgive someone who has sucked the joy out of your life through his or her negative, hypocritical, phony, lazy, selfish, and ill-tempered behavior over 20 years of marriage?

How do you forgive attacks on your children?

How do you forgive the unforgivable?

Maybe, sometimes, the hurt is so bad that the quality of your health and life will suffer for the rest of your life because you will always harbor some anger for the people who hurt you.

“When you haven't forgiven those who've hurt you, you turn your back against your future. When you do forgive, you start walking forward”.  Tyler Perry

String a pearl: Why do we forgive? Because we have been forgiven! It was revelation for me years ago in the midst of a tumultuous struggle when God made a clear impression on my heart. Jesus not only died for my sins but for those who have sinned against me.

Wait a minute! Stop the music!  It doesn’t get any bigger than that.  Jesus died for that person that sinned against me! There’s nothing more I can do but forgive.

Forgiveness is the perfume that the trampled flower

Casts back upon the foot that crushed it

God makes everything but unbreakable hearts. 

Let Him be the fragrance of Your love 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10

Happy New Year

                   Lyndi

A Lasting Legacy

Arthur Gordon tells the story of when he was about 13 and his brother 10, their dad promised to take them to the circus. While the family was eating lunch the phone rang --some urgent business that required their dad's attention downtown--and they braced themselves for disappointment. They were hanging their heads when they  heard him say, "No, I won't be able to come down. It's going to have to wait."

As soon as their dad came back to the table their mother smiled, "The circus keeps coming back, you know."

"I know," he said, "but childhood doesn't."

After forty years Gordon remember that moment. And he knew from the sudden glow of warmth that no kindness is ever really wasted or completely lost. Because the only thing you take with you to heaven is your family.

A pearl to string: That's a rich little story with lots of pearls to string.  The first one that stands out is a dad's wisdom in keeping a promise to his children.  Never make a promise unless death (Mt. 5:33-37^ESV)  is the only thing that prevents you from keeping that promise. There are so many people hurting in this life as a result of many broken promises. Too often it started with a dad breaking a promise to the child's mother. Kept promises light hope's way.

The second pearl I see is the mother honoring her husband. Parents need to be one in God's sight (Mal 2:15) and in their children's view too. To be united same page negotiation should be done out of ear shot of the children. Parents with differing points of view spell disaster for their children's future.  

I was really taken with the last line of that story. "all you take with you to heaven is your family".  Oh my goodness - I never thought of it that way..... ever.... but it's true isn't it.  The one thing you can take to heaven is your family.  Not at the same time of course.

The father to the children shall make known thy truth. (Isa. 38:19b) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16)

God gave us a Lasting Legacy

Jumping for JOY

                   Lyndi

Happy New Year

The Seasons of Life
http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/theseasonsoflife.htm