Job 1:20-21
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship, and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
Everything falls apart
When least expected
Fallout noxious
Bids death, not life
Grief overwhelming
Sorrow pummels joy
My heart is breaking
I know God is there
Yet in my soul
The chasm widens
Day by cruel day
Like Job, I beg respite
From will of God true
If in my sin these acts
Are deemed as justice
I have no defense
Redeem, oh, Lord, redeem!
Amen
~
Dear Friends,
It seems that 2020 is not starting out on a good foot for me and our family. In light of that, I need to step back from blogging for an indefinite period of time. If you follow me on a regular basis, you know I customarily post on Tuesdays and Fridays. I certainly won't be dependable in that, at least during February. I also hope you will forgive me if there are days where I don't respond to your blogs. Just rest assured that I am thinking about you, praying for you, and loving you as brothers and sisters in Christ.
May God's blessings and favor shine in your lives!
Martha, there is something going on ... I don't know what it is. Today, I felt drawn to write on a similar subject as yours. What is God's will for us. Was it His will what happened to Job, and what happens, often, to us?
ReplyDeleteI too, get the feeling that I should give up Blogging altogether. I'm not sure what is going on. My latest book, a Christian one about Fr Ignatius, is getting very difficult to write. It's as if there's a force trying to stop me.
I am praying for you and your family Martha. Whatever is the matter with you and yours please hold on to your faith and trust God. I know I'm trying hard in this respect.
God bless.
And know I will be praying for you, too, Victor, with all my heart! As for blogging, and work on the next Fr. Ignatius story, perhaps all is needed is a respite, a time of quiet with God to become more centered in Him. I know I'm doing that right now, knowing He is all I have to keep me together. Satan always works the hardest on those determined that God's will be done, just as he did on Job who, in spite of all his adversity, still loved the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dear Martha, I pray the tide will turn for you and your family, in Jesus'name.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marja! The more prayers, the better. Know how much yours are appreciated!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dear Martha, You are very much on my heart and mind this morning as I read your post here and your thoughts you shared on mine. Praying for you and your family now. May the Lord be very near to you and give you peace and comfort and strength for whatever lies ahead. He is always there with you, don't ever doubt that even for a moment. Praying for you now dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you most sincerely, Pamela, for your prayers! Yes, we will be praying for one another in the days and weeks to come, and there is such peace and comfort in those.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteYour prayers are much appreciated!
DeleteLove and blessings!
God is calling his children to a higher calling...intercession and seeking more of him. The earth is crying out and Jesus is calling his bride to be without spot or wrinkle...so that we will not let anything stand between us and the presence of God. Be obedient and surrender to him. I too am not writing as I did. He is calling us to come away with him and spend time with him. He is increasing in us to redeem the time and preparing us for Spiritual battle. Not to say that we won't write but to say Jesus is wanting our divided attention to bring us into a deeper relationship with him. Not just so we can be closer to him, but that we will use what he gives us to be vessels for his holy use. Redeem the time.
ReplyDeleteMarla, what beautiful, heartfelt words you have shared here today! Yes, our Lord needs us to grow closer to Him in both the good times and the not-so-good. He is our Rock and Redeemer, our Refuge and Strength.
DeleteLove and blessings!
The enemy is real. But we, your prayer warriors, are strong. I don't know what's weighing on your heart, but I know God is in the details. Let us lean not on our own understanding, but trust in His plan.
ReplyDeleteThe enemy IS real, Mevely, and it seems that right now, he is working overtime. But I am definitely submitting to and trusting in God to see all of us through this uncertain time. He has our backs!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You and your family will be in my prayers for all of your needs and intentions. I know you will come back when you are led to do that, and know that you will be missed while gone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Terri; I will be sure to keep Joe and you in mine!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I am so sorry to read about your struggles, Martha. God is with you. I will be sending prayers your way. You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThank so much for your prayers, Laurie. I sure can use them!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You are in my heart and daily prayers. May you know how much you are loved and will be missed. Please stay in touch and I am a good listener if you need one!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Jean, I know that you are a remarkably gifted listener, and I am so humbled by your offering here. You, too, are in my prayers, as I pray for all my blogging buddies. Your prayers at this time are so much appreciated! There are many prayer warriors out there praying over me, because I feel an undeniable sense of peace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
How wise you are to heed the call to turn inward to family and faith. Know that many good wishes and prayers are being sent to you.
ReplyDeleteI know the wisdom in doing this, Galen, comes directly from God. I truly need to lean upon Him like never before. Believe me, I can feel the power of prayer even in this moment, and it is lifting me up into His comforting presence. Thank you for your good wishes and prayers!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, your words here are so heart-felt. It's a tough season for so many of us--it can be a season of growth--resting in Him, remaining in the vine.
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you and your family!
Love and blessings!
Remaining in the vine . . . Kim, that's where I need to graft myself securely during this time of upheaval. With God's help, and the prayers of so many, I know we will all make it through, and better for it in the end. Thank you for your prayers, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dear Martha! I am SO sorry to read this. I knew something was really weighing on you after reading your last post. My family and I are also in the midst of such extreme, fiery trials. Sometimes, it seems the furnace is heated seven times hotter, and if it weren't for that 4th Man in the fire, we could not go on. Surely He is with you, too, my friend, and He will not leave that fiery furnace one second before you do. It is times like these that threaten to shake our foundation and really prove whether or not we are who we say we are. It is easy to talk of our faith when things are smooth, but oh, when the testing comes! That is when we really get down to what we truly believe about God. I will sorely miss your faithful comments on my blog, your steady encouragement, and your beautiful posts here. I trust the Lord will hold you close and uphold you with His right hand. I am praying for you and expecting to hear GREAT news of victory from you, in Jesus' name. Please keep encouraged. God is going to bring you through - this didn't come to stay, it came to pass.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, for your kind, encouraging and uplifting words here! Yes, we walk through the fire, but Jesus is right there with us through it all. Know I'll be praying for you and yours at this time, too, and I will do my level best to visit your blog and those of others as regularly as I possibly can.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dearest Martha, It is Saturday Feb. 8 as I comment on your blog post. I am stunned to realize you are experiencing hard times because your comments on my blog are so uplifting.
ReplyDeleteYour trust in the Lord is being tested but already I see it's strong and steady. Stay the course.
Thank you for sharing what you can because we learn from each other how to deal with life when it slams us -- and most certainly, burying ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only option of value. I see you are doing exactly that.
I am praying for you.
Oh, Barbara, thanks so much for your comforting words here today. Yes, with the Lord's help, everything is possible to get through and overcome. He is working wonders even as I write this. We can learn so much from one another along this Christian journey, and I hope that, even when I am feeling slammed, that I can still offer encouragement to others.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, so sorry for whatever you and your family are going through. We'll miss you in the blog space, but I will also keep you in my prayers. And powerful post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the prayers, Karen! Yes, they will definitely help in the days and weeks to come. I will try to read the blogs of others when I can.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I am sorry to hear of the difficult season you are travelling through. "Through" is the operative word here. Every season passes in its time, as this season of darkness and trial will pass from you. I pray for the strength of the Lord for you and your family and the stamina to keep going when you feel like caving in. Remember that even if you fall, underneath are the everlasting arms ready to catch you up. He walks beside you, blazes the trail before you and is your rearguard. Just try to snuggle beneath the comforting protection of His wings and all will be well. Keep your hand in His righteous right hand and He will lead you through and out again into the sunshine and a fresh new season. God bless you and keep you every moment of every day.
ReplyDeleteDiane, thank you from my heart for your uplifting and encouraging words here. Yes, I will find shelter in God's arms during this time, and thank Him for His presence and love. All will be well in the end.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dear friend ... God has kept you on my heart since you shared your need for prayer a few weeks ago. I hope you are sensing Him carrying you through this difficult season.
ReplyDeleteMay He bless you with peace in the waiting and the wondering.
xo
I can feel God blessing me, Linda, and for that, and for the prayers of so many friends like you, I feel assured that I will survive this difficult time, and learn to thrive again.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh no... So sorry to hear you're in a rough season and valley. You and your family are in my prayers. God speed to you and yours, sister.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayers, Floyd! Every single one counts in my heart and in God's. Yes, a rough season and valley, but I'm trusting in the Lord to see me/us through.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying for you Martha that there will eventually be a testimony that comes out of this. The enemy does not play fair but the Word you have hidden in your heart will be a weapon the enemy will not penetrate. May the Lord guide you with wisdom and direction.🙏🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteYes, the Word has been and will be the weapon that defeats the enemy, Valerie. And I'm praying, too, that these tough times will prove to be a testament to God's love and grace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
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ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Sweet Martha, I will certainly keep you in prayer. I know He will give you strength as you go through this issue.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Betty. Your prayers are truly appreciated!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha,
ReplyDeleteI am just returning from a long weekend and have just begun to catch up. My heart goes out to you, my prayers are with you, lean into our Father in heaven and know that you have many praying. No reply necessary... Ryan S.
Thanks so much for your prayers, Ryan, they mean so much! I am leaning upon the Lord with all of me at this time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I've gotten SO behind on blog reading that I'm just now seeing this. I'm so sorry that this year has not started off well for you, Martha. :( My prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord speed up the solutions and surround you with his grace in the process! I'll miss your posts but will look forward to your return when you're able.
ReplyDeleteI sure can understand getting behind on reading posts, Lisa, and I'm so thankful for your prayers. Hoping to be back in full swing in March. In the meantime, know I'll be enjoying your series on the enneagram.
DeleteLove and blessings!