Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor. 12:8-9) “Jim, if there is anyone who can survive and carry on after losing a child, it is you because of …
Tag: anguish
There is No Out, Only Through
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. (Psalm 23: 4) This phrase flooded me right after someone asked me the following question two weeks after my daughter had died: “Jim, just how long do you think it will …
God’s Consolations and Mercies — Kindness
Be kind to one another. (Eph. 4:32) Paul’s admonition to be kind has been very real to me as I have been coping with my daughter’s death this summer. Kindness may be the most important thing we need and the most important thing we can give. Kindness costs so little; it gives so much. I …
God’s Consolations and Mercies — Consolation
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Cor. …
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The Grace of God’s Glue
For I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God… (Job 19:25-26) The second wife of my first step-father died this morning. She was diagnosed with cancer only a month ago, …
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) At first blush, the beatitudes sound absurd. It’s strange to hear that the poor in spirit, the meek, the mourning, and the persecuted are blessed. From a worldly perspective, the beatitudes turn our world upside down; but from God’s perspective, …
Jesus – Our Hope Now and Forever More
And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Matthew 27:46) I grew up thinking that it was a sin to have doubts and that that God would withdraw Himself from us if we had them. I’m not …