RE: Reflections (Full Version)

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peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/15/2006 1:06:45 PM)

Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.


Wilma’s sister, Nadine, is a college English professor. Her brother-in-law, John is a doctor. They have three daughters and a son. Upon arrival at their house in Spokane, here came Wilma’s Dad dressed in a suit and tie coming up to me with his right hand held out for a handshake. He made me feel quite honored that he would dress up for our meeting. How pleasant it was to meet them all.

When the opportunity came to be alone with Wilma’s Dad, I asked him if I may propose to his daughter. He said that I would have to see her Mother but that he had my permission and blessing if she gave hers.

Later, I had a chance to see Wilma’s Mother in private and asked her. I told her what her husband had said. She gave me her permission and assured me that Wilma is very special to them both. I assured her that Wilma is very special to me, too.

Back home in Fort Worth, I later proposed to Wilma on bended knee and she accepted.

Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.


(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/16/2006 10:16:09 AM)

Psalms 103:4
…who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy

What an indescribable comfort it is to experience the faithfulness of our spiritual Father in His time. Our marriage has been great thanks to the Creator being in it. The One who created the institution of marriage is constantly blessing us even though we don’t deserve it.

How different life is now for me from life back in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

They were decades of exciting adventure mixed with excruciating anguish, frustration and suffering. Those were the decades that my life belonged to the Church.

Spurred on by the belief that Jesus Christ would return to this earth only after we completed the mission of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness, I did not pace myself. There was no room for a Laodicean attitude (Revelation 3:14-22). The goal was to speed Christ’s return to his earth to establish His Kingdom of peace and prosperity.

Highly motivated? You bet. Sincere? You bet. Highly devoted to God? You bet -- with daily prayer and Bible study combined with sacrificing my life for the mission.

Deceived? You bet.

Psalms 103:4
…who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy
(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/17/2006 3:09:33 PM)

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.

The deception was the legalistic belief that my works would reserve a place in God’s Kingdom.

But what a wonderful year 1962 was for me! I was one applicant for Ambassador College out of thousands. Yet, I was one of the 120 or so to be accepted for admission that year.

My Dad, who got half-priced fare because he worked for the railroad, bought me train tickets. The trip was from St. Louis, MO to Pasadena, CA with a change of trains in Kansas City in the wee hours of the morning. What an adventure! … Eighteen years old ... The first time away from home …. The beginning of decades when the term, “home” became a relative term …

For the next 35 years, “home” was a temporary dwelling that fit the current circumstances. As far as I was concerned, I was in God’s service. As far as I was concerned, I was a part of His work doing my part to speed the second coming of Jesus Christ. As far as I was concerned, I was putting God’s Kingdom first.

Now let’s think about this. It’s rather heady stuff when you believe that you are on God’s mission and that your own life, your own safety, your own health, your own strength will be upheld by Him ….. No matter how much you disregard your own safety, health and well being.

Not a very wise approach is it?

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/20/2006 12:44:50 PM)

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.

Enthusiasm is good of course, but not when it exceeds wisdom. Most of us realize that we must take care of ourselves so that we can continue on our mission in life. But I did not realize such back in the 60s. I sowed the wild oats. They were oats of service but they were wild and I’m reaping the health problems to this day.

Throughout the four years of college, I worked between classes to help pay my way through college. Then came singing in the college chorale and playing in the orchestra, then playing in the dance band.

The first two years were largely a matter of getting accustomed to college.

Then I was transferred to the new college in Texas. My junior year was the first year of our Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas. It was during that year that I was appointed president of the German Club. There was also the matter of being appointed secretary of the speech club. My senior year, I was made manager of the college chorale, then president during the last semester of that year.

So, there was extra time required in addition to the involvement in the normal rehearsals, concerts, club meetings and the dance band -- Oh yes, in addition to classes, assignments, tests, etc. And don't forget working in addition to all of those activities.

During those last two years in college, I averaged 4-6 hours sleep per night and felt like a zombie. The daily routine usually involved getting out of bed at about 5:30 a. m., praying for a while, going to work by 6:00 a.m. with a full day of classes, work and meetings. The day typically ended at about 10:00 p.m. when I got back to the dorm and studied the Bible for a while before going to bed.


Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.
(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/21/2006 2:08:23 PM)

1Sa 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
the LORD looks at the heart.”

As you can see, my enthusiasm was misplaced. But what about now?

Now, I’m paying the price with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, God has blessed me immensely. He is merciful beyond our imaginations and He really does look on the heart.

So what is my mission now? Now, I want to focus on God’s goodness and His love. I want to make God’s goodness known. Actually, I want God to make His goodness known to everyone. I pray that each sermon I give has a part in helping someone to recognize at least a part of God’s goodness, mercy and love.

He is the greatest!
1Sa 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
the LORD looks at the heart.”

(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/22/2006 3:26:57 PM)

Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
As bad as our situation may seem at any given moment, we know the “end” of the story, don’t we? We Christians have read the Book and know that the “ending” is the best possible. The “ending” is the beginning of eternity.

But when we’re suffering so much that we can’t think straight, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the darkness. I was very much in that suffering mode for decades. Of course, some moments were worse than others and there were some good times scattered throughout those forty years.

During that period of time when I was getting only 4-6 hours sleep per night, I felt terrible all the time. Even tasks that should have been routine were hard, sometimes requiring intense concentration. Finally, though, there was light at the end of the dark tunnel.

I graduated from college and was hired full time by the Church in 1966.

Relief. The occasional night of 8 hours of sleep.

Stresses changed.

(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/23/2006 2:09:57 PM)

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
Working 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week (and part of the 7th day) seemed to be nothing compared to those last 2 years in college. I actually appreciated being asked to continue to play in the college band and enjoyed doing so, but life soon became too full. Yet, there was promise for the future because a potential romance was developing. I was seeing someone who was about to graduate, but something happened.

I was transferred from Texas to California. Our budding romance died soon after my transfer and she married the roommate I had in Texas before the transfer.

Life in California was much different. Working only 5 days most weeks was like having a vacation. I joined the Church choir in Pasadena and very much enjoyed singing in it and being in concerts with full orchestras doing the Messiah and the Elijah numerous times with concerts of other works as well.

But what I was discovering during this time period in the late 60s and early 70s was that I got sick if I did not get enough sleep. So, I had to be more careful. I dropped out of the dance band … missed it terribly, but had no choice.

The 1970s saw attempts at doctrinal changes by some of the ministers.

(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/24/2006 2:40:05 PM)

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.


Over the decades, a strong lesson has become crystal clear. We can trust our spiritual Father in Heaven. We can trust Jesus Christ, the Word. But we cannot trust human beings. It is a major mistake to put total trust in a human being. The exception is only when we have to do so and even then we have to realize that we might be disappointed.

Let's face it, we are all fallible.

In the 1970s, Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder and Pastor General of the denomination, was busy visiting heads of state around the world. Because he was away from Headquarters (Pasadena, CA) so much of the time, he appointed his son, Garner Ted Armstrong to take charge.

Before long, there was the establishment of the Systematic Theological Project created to thoroughly review and examine all doctrines of the Worldwide Church of God.

Some leaders seemed to be implementing doctrinal changes while others resisted change. Members, too, heard of possible doctrinal changes with some taking one side and some another. Some members believed in a few of the changes, but not with other changes. Some members wanted wholesale changes. Others wanted no changes at all.

There was quite the upheaval with some ministers taking whole congregations away from the denomination.

In the meantime, Garner Ted Armstrong was found to have been involved in immoral activities. His Dad fired him.

Turbulent times.

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.



(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/25/2006 3:48:49 PM)

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

The 70s were turbulent times indeed.

The World Tomorrow broadcast (radio and TV) was the voice of our denomination. Although Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) originally was the voice of The World Tomorrow he was gradually replaced by his son, Garner Ted Armstrong (GTA). By the 70s, GTA was the voice of The World Tomorrow on both radio and television with a listening and viewing audience of millions.

When GTA was fired, HWA resumed being the voice of the broadcast. He also resumed control of the Headquarters of the denomination, fired everyone who worked for the Systematic Theology Project and began the process of squelching doctrinal changes that had been made in his absence.

To make a long story short GTA eventually started his own Church, then again had morality issues, left that Church and started yet another one.

HWA was not against change but was against change that he did not approve. He made doctrinal changes over the years when he recognized that he had been mistaken in his belief of what the Bible says. As wrong as we were in many areas of doctrine, we did believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God.

Well, the doctrinal disagreements resulted in some unsettled members. The firing of GTA resulted in some unsettled members – some of them down right irate –some of whom left the Church. Some ministers left the denomination and took members with them. GTA took some members to form another Church.

Then came 1979 when the State of California appointed a Receiver over WCG against the will of the members.

Psalms 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/27/2006 10:16:06 AM)

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
One day while I was on the job processing Church donations, we got word to shut down operations and not leave the office – to stay behind locked doors until further word. We were told that there was some legal thing going on. Later we learned that officials from the State of California had assigned a Receiver to take control of our finances and that our bank accounts were frozen.

The next weeks were touch and go – doing what we could to keep the assets of the Church out of the hands of the State of California. They set up guards at various places on our grounds and in our offices. We countered by setting up our own guards to watch their guards so that we could take legal steps if they got rough or otherwise broke the law.

The whole situation was in the courts with various organizations and Churches backing us for the cause of Freedom of Religion.

The membership was advised to send the tithes and offerings to a Post Office Box in Tucson, Arizona. Well, because my work consisted of processing those tithes and offerings I had less and less to do in Pasadena.

One day, my boss came to me and asked what my response would be if I were to be asked to go to Tucson to help process the mail there. I said I would go. He said that he would check it out with his boss and see if he can get me clearance to go. After all, that’s where my work had gone.

Later in the day, he came back to me and said I was cleared to go and asked if he could pick me up at my apartment in 45 minutes. I said, “yes”.
(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/28/2006 3:33:01 PM)

My boss said to pack enough to spend a couple of weeks. Well, I think it was three months later that I came back to Pasadena for the rest of my things and move to Tucson.

Those first several weeks in Tucson were quite the adventure. Each day as I went to work, I did not know where I would be sleeping that night.

Places were provided but personnel change and fluid circumstances required me to spend the night at a different place just about every night. Four of us single men sometimes slept in an RV that the Church owned. Married couples stayed in an apartment that the Church rented where a married couple stayed. Some also stayed where we worked. I rotated in all of these places.

Processing the offerings at a new place as were, we had to be innovative to get the job done but it worked.

Eventually, several of us moved the rest of our things out to Tucson and lived there.

We were there about four and a half years before moving the operation back to Pasadena after it was safe to do so.

(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/29/2006 5:04:20 PM)

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding
Throughout this period of time in Tucson, I had one personal battle after another. There was the unsettling matter during those first few weeks of not knowing from one day to the next where I would be spending the night.

Then the long working hours took their toll. There was the matter of scrambling to improvise to make things work in unfamiliar conditions. There was friction within the office environment. For me, there were health problems along with stress related problems.

But our prayers were answered.

Eventually, California again became a safe place for us to process donations without danger of State officials trying to take over the Church's finances. The law (whatever it was) that allowed them to do so was changed to allow freedom of religion in that respect.

Reflecting on experiences of that time, I now can see that much of my personal suffering would have been greatly minimized had I trusted our spiritual Father instead of stressing to work things out on my own.

It seems so simple. If we could merely let Him be the wind in our sails, harmful anxiety would dissolve. If we could merely trust in the Lord with all our heart, we could more easily let Him propel us forward.

Easier said than done, right? But true.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding

(to be continued....)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/30/2006 4:39:53 PM)

Shortly after the State of California froze the assets of the Church in 1979, the Church was on a segment of the 60 Minutes TV program. 60 Minutes gave a false, one-sided presentation that made WCG (Worldwide Church of God) appear to be run by money grabbing swindlers fleecing the flock.

Although it is true that we, WCG, had some wrong beliefs, we were sincerely worshipping God the best we knew how. We were sincerely mistaken and considered to be a cult by some. For that matter, we did fit the criteria of a cult but we were not even close to being a dangerous, poisonous Kool-Aid drinking group of suicidal fanatics.

Thankfully, we now are a part of mainstream Christianity. But when I was transferred back to Pasadena with the rest of our crew in 1983, we had not yet made those changes.

For a brief history of the Worldwide Church of God, feel free to click



(to be continued)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (3/31/2006 5:21:32 PM)

Romans 8:37
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
It seems that most if not all of our lives have their share of troubles, sorrows and challenges. Mine sure has. I haven’t listed them all here and don’t think I need to do so. For sure, I don’t want to have a self-propagated pity party.

Our Prayer and Praise Forum here on Christianity.com is a witness to the suffering of many people every day. But that Forum is also witness to a tremendous outpouring of love on the part of sisters and brothers in Christ – quite a family whose hearts yearn for the good of each other -- sisters and brothers who are suffering praying for other sisters and brothers who are suffering.

Because of our stresses, illnesses, and troubles we all, I believe, need a place of safety. For me, that place of safety has been any quiet place to be alone with our Creator to be nourished by Him, encouraged by Him and refreshed by Him. I often think of Elijah when he was running for his life (1 Kings 19) from Jezebel. And I think of David when he was running from King Saul who wanted to nail his hide to the wall. They both went to a place of safety, and found it in God, their refuge, their real protection.

There have been times when I’ve gone to the wilderness alone and spent time with our spiritual Father to find that he gave a refreshing. The encouragement He gave me may not have been as dramatic as that given to Elijah or to David, but He gave it just the same …….. Again … And again … And again.

Of course, we can be alone with Him in just about any place of solitude. It doesn’t have to be the wilderness.

Many of you are as convinced as I am that any true success, any true happiness, any true peace comes from the one Source – our Father through Jesus Christ. I’m convinced that we have a deep need to put Him first in our lives and to spend intimate time with Him.

Well, what I’m saying is so obvious that it’s like saying grass is green and the sky is blue. To many of us, our need for our Lord is just as real as the earth we stand on, but sometimes we let our relationship slip. And when it slips, who is the one who slips?

When our relationship with our Lord is weakened, who moved away from whom?

In my case, I’m the one who moved.

[By the way, please feel free to PM or email any suggestions, questions, comments or encouragements]

Romans 8:38
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, :39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/3/2006 2:41:52 PM)

Psalm 103
:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
:3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,

Health issues mounted over the years. As I suffered from sleep depravation and irregular meals, the condition of my gums deteriorated. To find blood on my pillow each morning was not unusual but on some mornings there was a trail of dried blood from the corner of my mouth reaching toward my ear.

Some teeth became loose and, eventually, I went to the dentist for major work.

So often, the “routine” visit to the dentist turned into major projects consisting of many appointments.

During one of the dentist appointments in the 1970s, the dentist took my blood pressure to find that it was 180/120 – too high for him to do what he planned, which was extract all four wisdom teeth. Instead, he sent me to an MD to get the blood pressure under control.

Now, the teeth are are much better but still a big project. The blood pressure is under control with the help of medication and I’m getting my weight and blood sugar under control thanks to blessings from our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Right now, I’m on an ongoing mission to gain control of my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or as it is also called, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS).

Psalm 103
:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
:3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,


(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/4/2006 3:03:46 PM)

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been somewhat of a mystery illness in the past but is now recognized as being a real ailment, not a figment of a hypochondriac’s imagination. For years, I knew that something was wrong with me, but did not have a name for it. I just knew that I tired fast and got sick with flu-like symptoms when I got too tired or failed to get enough sleep.

In case you’re interested in CFS, more information is at: http://www.cfids.org/.

Learning how to cope with CFS is largely (for me) a trial and error method because not every method works with every person. I’ve found that what helps me are healthy doses of prayer along with low intensity exercise (for me, exercising on the Gazelle is working well) with frequent rest stops.

The doctor told me to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. But 30 minutes without stopping would wipe me out, so I started by doing what I could, resting a while and doing more until I eventually would make the 30 minutes per day. Such was how I started. Now, I’m up to 5 hours per week with frequent rest stops.

The dietitian has me eating 6 times per day – 3 small meals plus a snack between each meal.

Because of the CFS, I retired early. Now, my job is training for the future; physical conditioning for the future, building stamina for the future, building health for the future.

Spiritual conditioning has become a big part of recovery as well. At our Pastor’s request, I’m teaching the adult discipleship class each Sunday and giving the sermon four times each three months. Having these assignments provides a healthy incentive to pray and to study God’s Word and to discover ways of presenting Godly principles in helpful ways.

What a great recovery tool – that of having these incentives (teaching and preaching) for seeking ways to help others. It just may be that I need something like the duty of teaching and/or preaching to help give me the incentive to think about the needs of others.

While doing what I’ve described in this post, I’m waiting for the Lord to renew my strength.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/5/2006 10:58:52 AM)

[sm=note.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well with my soul
[sm=note.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]

Should I blame the Church for current ailments and suffering? After all, much of my sleep depravation was in service to the Church.

Let’s think this out. Would it make sense for me to become bitter against the Church?

When I was laid off without retirement pay after about 3 decades of service to the Church, the unpleasant swell of bitterness, I think, was just under the surface right next to that horrible sense of rejection. After all, wasn't I like an old, worn-out shoe being thrown away?

Sure, I understood that the Church had no choice but to engage in massive layoffs. I understood that the Church could not afford to give retirement pay to all of those whom it had employed for decades. But the hurt was there anyway.

Bitterness can lead to all kinds of evil and destruction. Bitterness can cause us to go about life with a chip on our shoulders, ready to lash out at the slightest provocation or disappointment. Bitterness can cause bad health such as stomach ulcers.

You probably agree that bitterness can cause us to turn away from God. When we are bitter, our hearts are not right with God. We, while bitter, are not people after God’s own heart as David was (Acts 13:22).

We don’t have to let evil get the best of us. Right?

If we turn to God, He will bring us out of bitterness and give us His love.

Hannah (1 Samuel 1) had a pretty good excuse to be bitter but turned to God.

David could have become bitter against King Saul, but cried out to God (Psalm 57).

The temptation sure was there but I’m thankful that God prevented any bitterness from growing inside of me. I think someone was praying for me. Besides, someone up there likes me. Someone up there likes us all, doesn’t He?

It is my hope that I can learn the lesson without further suffering.

[sm=note.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well with my soul
[sm=note.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]


(to be continued....)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/6/2006 11:32:42 AM)

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Because of the experiences of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and because of CFS, I must keep vigilance to fight off discouragement.
There are times when I am so tired that my mind seems to be in a fog making my thoughts fuzzy.

Perseverance and encouragement have become like a hobby over the years. As a matter of fact, I have an encouragement file.

Would you please PM me or email me and tell me what encourages you?

Hebrews 10:24 (NRSV)And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, :25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The doctor gave some interesting advice for when discouragement weighs heavily on me. He said I could sit at home with my aches and pains or I could take my aches and pains out for a good time – do something that I enjoy. The aches and pains will be there in any case, so I might as well do something that I enjoy.

Such is the doctor’s advice and I love it.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/7/2006 9:32:58 AM)

Encouragement File


Over the years there have been various thoughts, principles, concepts which have encouraged me to keep going. The following are some of them. They may come across as isolated, disconnected clusters of thoughts but when one thought does not give encouragement, sometimes another will.

I hope you find something of value to you.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is useful for building up, as there is need,
so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

If we want to be encouraging to people, it helps to be encouraged ourselves.

If we want ourselves to be encouraged take the 10 ten-step program which is:

1. Do something nice for someone
2-10. Repeat step one 9 times.

Sir Winston Churchill spent much of his life in the struggle against discouragement. He even avoided getting close to a cliff or high precipice lest he be too tempted to jump off. He called his discouragement the black dog. His perseverance against discouragement turned out to benefit not only the British Commonwealth but also the whole free world due to his obstinate bull dog tenacity and determination against Adolph Hitler.

Can you and I be a help to others because of our perseverance against discouragement?

Abraham Lincoln also battled discouragement and look what happened.

FAILURES or SETBACKS of Abraham Lincoln
Lost job
Defeated for state legislature
Failed in business
Sweetheart died
Had nervous breakdown
Defeated for Speaker
Defeated for nomination for Congress
Lost re-nomination
Rejected for land officer
Defeated for U.S. Senate
Defeated for nomination for Vice President
Again defeated for U.S. Senate

After experiencing the above “failures” (learning experiences) Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States.

In spite of his setbacks and his struggle with discouragement, he galvanized a nation that was torn apart by civil war.

It is claimed that for every put-down or discouraging word
we receive, we need at least nine encouraging words or
compliments. And even this might be debatable because, if
I gave you nine encouraging compliments and just one put-
down, which would you remember me for (perhaps even
for the rest of your life)? More than likely the one put
down!

That's because feelings of insecurity are a part of our fallen
humanity. Some of us had more encouragement than others
when we were growing up so our need may not be as great
as those of us who grew up with encouragement-hunger.

Whatever, every one of us needs lots of encouragement
through words of love, affirmation, approval, compliments,
a note of thanks, a greeting card, a friendly email, a
telephone call, a hug and always a kind word.

Quoting William James, Rowland Croucher wrote, The
deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be
appreciated.

Over and above all other sources of encouragement, I’m convinced that the greatest encouragement possible comes from being in God’s presence.


(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/8/2006 11:28:04 AM)

Endurance
As in the last post, this again is a collection of thoughts that can help a person to endure.

The following is part of the positive side of working through fatigue, hardship and discouragement.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Think On These Things
Harriet Beecher Stowe once commented, “When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”

Two roads are always before us. One goes up and the other down. If we quite, we don’t have to worry – the way is always down. Like an airplane that has its engines turned off in midair, the law of lift no longer applies, and the law of gravity takes over.

But should we choose to rev up our engines and take on new life, the power to do it comes even though no audible voice has spoken the possibility. We frequently have to take the first step, take an action, before things change. Doing something in faith shows that we have what it takes to ride a bucking horse, even when we never have ridden before.
Joyce Sequichie Hifler

James 5:
10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Let me depend on God alone
who never changes,
who knows what's best for me
so much better than I:
And gives in a thousand ways, at all times
all that the perfect Father can
for the son's good growth,
things needful and salutary,
things wise, beneficent and happy.
Eric Milner - White -- 1884-1964

What value can we place on being in the Presence of the Living God, the Creator of all good that exists?

(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/10/2006 4:24:54 PM)

Psalms 84
1 HOW lovely is Your tabernacle,
O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.


Here some more of my scattered thoughts and ideas that sometimes have helped me to keep on keeping on.

Psalms 84
1 HOW lovely is Your tabernacle,
O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young
Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You.

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

When we are in God’s presence we then have communion with Him. When Jesus is inside of us and becomes a part of us, we have perfect communion with Him.

Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

It is our duty to make the best of our misfortunes -- George Washington.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened. Helen Keller.

Psalms 84
1 HOW lovely is Your tabernacle,
O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the LORD;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.


(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/11/2006 10:13:17 AM)

We must endure to the end.
We can't allow ourselves to endure just for a while, then bomb out.


Mother Theresa
A Simple Path
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight
BUILD ANYWAY
People really need help but may attack you if you help them,
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST
YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY

Wear them out with your patience and good nature, don't let them wear you out. Patience and a good nature can help us outlast the evil which comes into our lives.

Galatians 6:7 (NRSV) Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
:8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
:9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up.

I Refuse to be Discouraged!
Pearl Villarreal -
I refuse to be discouraged, To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why
... I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.
He is all wise and powerful, Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable, My God knows all that's happening:
Beginning to the end, His presence is my comfort, He is my dearest friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God; Into his arms I go.
When circumstances threaten to rob me from my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease.
And when my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me, My life is in His hand,
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope, it's in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated, My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances, To heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the Heart of God, I'm resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything, My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory is mine; He'll help me win the race.

We must endure to the end.

(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/12/2006 8:48:42 AM)

Philippians 4:8
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

This business of endurance and perseverance has occupied much of my attention because I have needed it a lot. Maybe CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) has accentuated the fact that I’m weak. But it’s apparent that we Christians are all weak unless we are well connected to our Savior.

When we are tired and weary, we sometimes start to believe that we will never make it. It is at such times when we feel that we might as well cash in our chips and give up. But it is precisely at such times that we should not give up. It is at such times when we need to remember these words from the song, “The Impossible Dream”.

“... that the world will be better for this, that one man scorned and covered with scars still strove with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star” -- The Impossible Dream from The Man From La Mancha.

We use computers which have been programmed to function a certain way. Why not program our own minds to function the way we want them to function. One way to do such is maintain focus on God and on all that is good.

We can even remind ourselves of faith enhancing words such as:

Favorite Words
persistence, perseverance, indomitable, unstoppable, dogged, steadfast, resolute, resolved, pertinacious, unrelenting, tenacious, immovable, indefatigable, enduring, perpetual, incessant, continuous, unswerving, unwavering, unflinching, resilient, determined, inexorable, undying, immutable, unceasing, valiant, gallant, chivalrous, dauntless, intrepid, stalwart, solid, resolute, set, positive, unruffled, calm, peaceful, tranquil, composed, serene, cool, imperturbable, assiduous, fixed.

2 Cor. 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

Paul Harvey revealed the secret of his success..."I get up when I fall down."

There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


(to be continued...)



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/13/2006 10:35:07 AM)

Matthew 16:25
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Amazing things happen when we pray for someone other than ourselves.

Here is a personal example.

There was a time when I came to the conclusion that God was not going to bless me. For one thing, I didn’t deserve blessings. I had seen other people being blessed with happy, wonderful lives and wonderful families while I remained alone, and tired ... too tired, too tired to think straight, too discouraged, too depressed to even consider making changes in my life ... even if I had the ability to make them.

I concluded that the only way I was going to be happy was to figure out a way to enjoy seeing other people being happy and blessed. So, I prayed for the ability to enjoy observing God bless other people. Some amazing things happened.

We do not want to sell short the value of praying for others. When we pray for others with the attitude of really wanting them to be blessed, then amazing things happen.

God started blessing me in ways that were far from what I was asking in prayer. I never did learn to fully enjoy observing other people being blessed but I started down that road and I started enjoying my own blessings.

I was still alone but not lonely. I found that when I was alone, I was in the best of company, God’s company because I prayed a lot while alone. A complicated series of events started taking place preparing me for what could otherwise have resulted in complete devastation. But, instead of complete devastation, He gave me life and started using some of my past training and experiences. He blessed me in ways that I had not even dreamed.

Matthew 16:25
For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.



peaceofGod -> RE: Reflections (4/14/2006 12:24:01 PM)

If we don't give up, we'll make it.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (New King James Version) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

All of this that we have been considering is overwhelming evidence that if we don't give up, we'll make it.

Let’s put it another way.

James 5:
10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Cor. 4:16 (MsgB)
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

Ephes. 4:23 (MsgB)
A life renewed from the inside

Col. 3:10 (MsgB)
Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.

If we don't give up, we'll make it.

(to be continued...)



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