Sharpening Our Perspective

Good Morning Everyone,

The age old question of why people suffer
is one we have heard many sermons and thoughts
about. Many books have been written on the subject
offering different perspectives and ideas.

We know this, suffering is part of life, and
so are trials and problems.

Sometimes when we are in the midst of them
it is hard to have a perspective of the fact
that sometimes we really grow and learn during
the darkest times. Spiritually it is refining us,
and teaching us to cling to God, to get into his
word to find the hope we need to make it through
it all.

I once heard a defining way to look at Problems.
Rev. Billy Graham is quoted as saying when
problems hit, well let us see what God can do with this.

I am sure he has seen many things in his life,
many trials, tribulations, illnesses, loss and pain.
Yet his faith is intrinsically intertwined in his thinking
and when hard times come, he knows the source
of strength to go to, rely on, and firmly trust in.

He also has a lot of memories of God's provision,
answered prayers, changed lives and hindsight that
comes from years of trusting God and watching God
work in His life and that of his family.

When problems happen, why do we wait to talk to God?
Why don't we do that at the start, rather than when
we get desperate. God is not a last resort,
but a first responder, the one we should run to
immediately and rely on fully. What a reminder this is,
that Christians are to be faith based, and not
fear or worry based.

Who or what are you trusting today?

love
millie

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Thou will give him perfect peace whose mind is
stayed (focused, relying upon, clinging to) on God.
Isaiah 26:3



Is Your All On The Altar
by Elisha Hoffman 1905

You have longed for sweet peace,
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will,
To be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

O we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.



"PARABLE OF THE PENCIL"

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before
putting him into the box. There are 5 things you
need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you
out into the world. Always remember them and
never forget, and you will become the best pencil
you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but
only if you allow yourself to be guided by
Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from
time to time, but you'll need it to become a
better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes
you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always
be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you
must leave your mark. No matter what the
condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember,
and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now put your self in the place of the pencil.
Always remember these five things and never forget,
and you will become the best person you can be.

Author Unknown