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...

Meditation

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From my friend, Dr. John Williamson:

"Tucked away in a rather obscure corner of Isaiah's prophecy is a most remarkable verse. It is hardly noticed when someone is reading through the book in a perfunctory manner. Yet, slow down for a moment and notice these words. "Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars. The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of his might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:26).

We all know that God created the stars--big deal--right? But He also named them all. Think of the billions and billions of stars that twinkle, glimmer, and blink in the night sky; they each have a name known only to the Creator. And, on top of that, "Not one of them is missing." It is this last statement that I find the most profound, and, I must admit, it took me a while to ponder it. That statement implies that each star that we can see serves a purpose, and every star that is suppose to be there is there, and there remain there by the power and might of God.

God not only created all the stars and named all of them, but his inventory is perfect and complete. There is nothing lacking in the work of the Almighty. When He finished his work of creation, He not only finished it; He completed it."

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