Comments on: From This One Place

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 13:12:30 +0000

In reply to Ginny. Thank you for reminding me of our dear Carlene. She was a truly amazing woman, and didn't she give us some of the funniest, best memories of our lives??! What you wrote here was a blessing, Ginny. Very powerful truth. You have taken up her mantle for sure. xoxo

By: Ginny

Ginny — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 16:27:51 +0000

A precious Godly woman many of us know, Carlene, who has moved on to her heavenly home, shared a deep revelation with me years ago and I hope I never forget it…
Carlene had lost two husbands, one to a tragic drowning and the second dear man, died from cancer. In her darkest time of despair when she cried out to God, He spoke these words to her…“give to others what you need most right now, in your despair”.
She told me it was the hardest thing she had ever done, but she knew God’s voice and that this was His answer of help for her…
It was not easy. She was in the midst of tremendous grief and depression, but she asked the perfect question…How do I do it? That question that invites God in to change our life….
Her hardest time was Sunday after church because she and Roy would ask God to show them who to invite for lunch, either at their home or at a restaurant. It was their ministry of hospitality that was such a blessing and this dear woman lived to serve! She felt that had died with Roy and she was so lonely.
God gave her the idea to start asking people at church if they wanted to go out for lunch after the service. This was what SHE had needed… someone to do this for HER, to fill that empty sad time.
It started out slowly with just one or two. She still had to deal with the despair and grief and doing this half-heartedly. But God is so faithful and I watched over the following months her new After Church Lunch Group grow and a whole new ministry arise out of the ashes of her despair and grief. Yes she still had loneliness and grief, but the healing had begun.
I have applied this to my life so many times when I have felt overwhelmed with sadness and despair. I have asked myself “what is it I need right now”, God has been faithful to identify it and then I have asked the Lord to show me how and whose life I can sow into.
My flesh still has to put in its two cents and whines “yah, but whaddabout ME!?”. I am all too familiar with my flesh and its whining, but I hunger more for the Voice of the Lover of my Soul who has my best interest at heart….
Just somethin’ to think about….

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 16:36:48 +0000

In reply to connie.

What comforting, beautiful verses, Connie. Thank you so much for what you’ve shared here…I love the thought of friends we haven’t met still being so very dear. As you are to me…really almost family since we love the same person so much. 🙂 xoxo

By: connie

connie — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 06:28:06 +0000

I also, join in praying for you both. Two years verses that help me in times of struggles are Isaiah 41:13 ” I am holding you by your right hand….do not be afraid. I am here to help you.” And Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it? I will even make streams in the desert and pathways in the wilderness.” I love the clear, simple comfort of the first verse. Holding my hand so I’m not alone, and the promise of help. In the second verse it reminds me not to focus or ruminate on what has happened before, but to watch for the new thing. I sometimes get too caught up in assuming what will happen and stop anticipating a miracle or provision, or whatever I am needing from God. I love the part where He makes a way where it looks like there’s none. I am praying for streams in your deserts and pathways in your wildernesses, dear friends, who I havent met yet.

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 23:16:27 +0000

In reply to Ganeida.

Thank you Ganeida…I LOVE learning the meanings of words in any language. But to know what this kind of joy means really touched me today. I am going to hang on to this thought, this reality — Jesus is my door, and my joy. Yes. Bless you… xoxox

By: Ganeida

Ganeida — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 20:42:21 +0000

Hugs & prayers for both you & Kay, Julie. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. The Hebrew word for joy here is hedvah, which is not the usual one used but * Hedvah is a noun derived from the verb hadah. The consonants are chet-dalet-hey. The picture is “behold, a door in the fence.” Jesus is the door & our joy. I know things are really hard just now but the joy of the Lord is your strength because it is His joy & His gift to you.

By: Just Julie

Just Julie — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:18:47 +0000

In reply to Kay in Cornwall. Thank you Tauni and Kay! It warms my heart to read the loving, faith-filled, transparent comments here. Hugs for you both.... xoxo

By: Kay in Cornwall

Kay in Cornwall — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:18:47 +0000

Tauni,last year I heard a sermon on Phil 4:13 that really helped me to understand that verse. We were told to take careful note of the preceeding verses that told of Paul’s sufferings. Even in the hardest of times Paul knew that he could overcome them through Christ who strengthened him. It became clear to me that ‘I can do all things’ actually meant ‘I can overcome all things’.
During this tough time, Alan and I have been buoyed up by the prayers and actions of God’s people both here and abroad. We have been so blessed and I have felt my faith in God growing stronger and deeper. I have been truly blessed by my friendship with Julie, and your beautiful words have helped comfort me no end. Thank you.
On a wonderful, positive note – Alan came home yesterday! He still needs more treatment, but it’s so GOOD to have him here beside me. And my daughter Louisa, who is having such an awful time, is a shining example of trusting and relying on God.
There is ‘a new song in my mouth’ testifying to God’s grace.
xxxooo

By: Tauni

Tauni — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 20:27:25 +0000

I will add to the prayers for Kay, all of us actually, and echo much of what has been documented here. I have had many dark days as you know. Praise music & God’s word was/is my go-to. Back at the beginning we did not have any Christian radio stations and at that time our church passed out the words to the music we were singing at our services. I kept those sheets and would pray those words when words failed me, which was often back then. All I ever listen to now is praise and worship music. About a year ago, almost 30 years after the darkest days I have experienced when God spoke so personally to me through that music, I experienced one of the most incredible very powerful and personal moments with God in the midst of a thousand people at my church. All those songs I clung to so desperately were played at our worship service one right after another and I heard God’s voice telling me ever so lovingly but very clearly, “See I told you I would not let you go. I told you I would be your light, I would guide you in the dark. You can trust me.” I probably sobbed for the rest of the service it was so powerful. Praise and worship music has always been such a personal communication between God & I. There is always something that helps me convey my heart and allows me to hear God’s voice when there is static on the line. “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” is one of my absolute favorites ~ pretty much anything Matt Redmond does actually 🙂 ! Kay, know that God is very near, knows of your fears and hears your heart’s cries. Praise God in this process and He will meet you and Alan right where you are. Phil 4:13 is my go to when things are so difficult & I have no strength left. It is the scripture that never fails! Jules ~ thanks for bringing us all together, even as we don’t “know” each other we really do when we meet in our Father’s House, in this case, this blog. I am grateful for that and all that gather here! Thank you for sharing Kay ~ be encouraged by what you read here ~ we all want to “love on you”!

By: Kay in Cornwall

Kay in Cornwall — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:54:40 +0000

Thank you Sue. I heard from Alan a couple of hours ago and he should be coming home tomorrow. But it seems that we will have to make daily trips to the hospital for treatment for quite a few days after he comes home. He is not out of the woods yet.

Another song that is going through my head a lot is ‘Who is there like you?’ by Stuart Townsend. I particularly like the line: ‘For Your power at work in me is changing me.’ I believe that God is indeed changing me!
xxoo