Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

overheard outside the prayer closet

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Lord, I have no right to enter your presence in prayer. I am tired, weak and unworthy.

If you had been an angel at home, never raised your voice, gave each child equal time, were supersensitive to your wife, got every chore done, would you feel like praying?

Yes, Lord, I sure would.

If you had devotions every day this week for an hour and as part of that time interceded for every lost family member and friend, praying for every missionary you have ever known in every place, would you feel more like entering my presence?

Yes, Lord, I sure would.

If you had written an article, posted a blog, finished all your projects and got all your work done, would you feel like praying?

Yes, Lord, I sure would.

If you witnessed to your next door neighbor instead of complaining about him and had won him to me, would you feel more like praying today?

Then, you would have been praying in your own name and not mine.


***** ***** *****
"My soul, wait thou only upon God" (Ps. 62:5)

"Did it ever occur to you that if you do not hear God’s answer to prayer, it may be not because He is dumb, but because you are deaf; not because He has no answer to give, but because you have not been listening for it? We are so busy with our service, so busy with our work, and sometimes so busy with our praying, that it does not occur to us to stop our own talking and listen if God has some answer to give us with “the still small voice”; to be passive, to be quiet, to do nothing, say nothing, in some true sense think nothing; simply to be receptive and waiting for the voice. “Wait thou only upon God,” says the Psalmist; and again, “Wait on the Lord.”"-- Selected

Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Originally published: Chicago: Revell, c1990., April 14. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1998, c1997, c1994, c1990.

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