Help in Time of Grief

(For the past few days, my heart has been very grieved for the Cretzman family, Missionaries to Cuba, whose little girl was killed in a car accident this past Monday. I know that there are others that are hurting as well over loved ones who are sick and even on the brink of death. It is hard sometimes to remember that God, who loves us dearly, has all these things in His Hand as well. But he does. These are the hard places in life, the places that make our hearts broken bread and poured out wine. They are never easy to go through but always, when looked back upon, the child of God can see his mighty hand at work in it all. The following entry is from, "Streams in the Desert", December 3^rd. I pray that when you read this, if your heart is grieved this day, you will be encouraged in the Lord, as I have been. God’s blessings!)

"Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well"  (2Kings 4:26)

"Be strong, my soul!
Death looms in view.
Lo, here thy God! He'll bear thee through;
Be strong."

"Be strong, my soul!
Thy loved ones go
Within the veil. God's thine, e'en so;
Be strong."

　

For sixty-two years and five months I had a beloved wife, and now, in my ninety-second year I am left alone. But I turn to the ever present Jesus, as I walk up and down in my room, and say, "Lord Jesus, I am alone, and yet not alone--Thou art with me, Thou art my Friend. Now, Lord, comfort me, strengthen me, give to Thy poor servant everything Thou seest he needs." And we should not be satisfied till we are brought to this, that we know the Lord Jesus Christ experimentally, habitually to be our Friend: at all times, and under all circumstances, ready to prove Himself to be our Friend. --George Mueller

Afflictions cannot injure when blended with submission.

Ice breaks many a branch, and so I see a great many persons bowed down and crushed by their afflictions. But now and then I meet one that sings in affliction, and then I thank God for my own sake as well as his. There is no such sweet singing as a song in the night. You recollect the story of the woman who, when her only child died, in rapture looking up, as with the face of an angel, said, "I give you joy, my darling." That single sentence has gone with me years and years down through my life, quickening and comforting me. --Henry Ward Beecher

"E'en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief;
Death cannot long divide.
For is it not as though the rose that climbed my garden wall
Has blossomed on the other, side?
Death doth hide,
But not divide;
Thou art but on Christ's other side!
Thou art with Christ, and Christ with me;
In Christ united still are we."


(If you would like to help the Cretzman family, go to this link:
http://brenda-lifeinmyshoes.blogspot.com/.  )

A Woman's Question

(This is a poem that I found in a book I was reading, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris.  It is a good book, other than the fact that he uses other versions of scripture than the King James, which I really don't care for.  But the overall message in the book is good for young people these days.  Anyway, this was a great poem and I thought I would share it.  Enjoy!)

A Woman’s Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing

Ever made by the Hand above?

A woman’s heart, and a woman’s life–

And a woman’s wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing

As a child might ask for a toy?

Demanding what others have died to win,

With the reckless dask of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out,

Manlike, you have questioned me.

Now stand at the bars of my woman’s soul

Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,

Your socks and your shirt be whole;

I require your heart be true as God’s stars

And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,

I require a far greater thing.

A seamstress you’re wanting for socks and shirts,

I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,

And a man that his Maker, God,

Shall look upon as He did on the first

And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade

From this soft young cheek one day;

Will you love me then ‘mid the falling leaves,

As you did ‘mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true,

I may launch my all on its tide?

A loving woman finds heaven or hell

On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,

All things that a man should be,

If you give this all, I would stake my life

To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook

You can hire and little to pay;

But a woman’s heart and a woman’s life

Are not to be won that way.

~Lena Lathrop

If you like the poem or wish to comment: email me!

Straight Paths Bible Church