Nov 9, 2008

Day 9: Do You Not Feel Sometimes Like You Could Give Job A Run For His Money?

I admit it. Lately I have been struggling with all the things consistent with life - - - health issues; my aging, ailing, and distant parents; the normal concerns we all have for our children and grandchildren; the stress we have all felt with the on slot of depressing political/financial issues in the news; etc., etc., etc.. I am not normally a huge worrier and most of the time I can pretty comfortably rest in my faith - well almost, anyway! But lately it's just been one of those times we all have once in a while when too many things to worry about all at once are just a little overwhelming. Especially with my father's serious decline in health, I've just been under the heap instead of on top of it. I found this article to be an incredible reminder of God's power. I make no bones about it - if you read my blog often at all you know that I am a Christian. I don't apologize for it and I include it in my writing from time to time. At the same time, I don't want to be preachy or EVER to judge others who do not share my faith. I do not enjoy reading blogs where a negative approach is used to present faith. I love to read blogs and post in my own blog about home, family, the funny things in life, cooking, shopping, lunching, holidays, vacations, crafting, and basically all the same things you like to blog and read about. I do not want to get caught up in using this blog as a platform for religion, which is entirely different than faith and relationship with God. I hope I never subject my readers to anything which is a turn off to what my faith is all about. However...if you don't want to know that my faith is a normal, huge part of every single day of my life, then you probably shouldn't read me! (Even though I really hope you will!!)
So, the reason for telling you all of that, is this awesome essay which my sweet sister-in-law gave me. I just found it incredibly uplifting and at this time of my life a much needed GIANT reminder of God's power - from the tiniest to the most enormous obstacles. I hope you will enjoy reading it - not feel like you've just been preached to, and that you will find it a boost to your day in this hectic, worry filled world we live in!

Here we go...
HOW GREAT IS MY GOD?

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ANTARES IS THE 15TH BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY.
IT IS MORE THAN 1000 LIGHT YEARS AWAY.
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NOW TRY TO WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND THIS.........

THE PICTURE BELOW IS A HUBBLE TELESCOPE ULTRA DEEP FIELD INFRARED VIEW OF COUNTLESS ENTIRE' GALAXIES BILLIONS OF LIGHT-YEARS AWAY.
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THE NEXT PIC IS A CLOSE UP OF THE DARKEST REGION IN THE PREVIOUS PHOTO.


HUMBLING, ISN'T IT?

And yet Someone knows how many hairs are on your head and not even a single sparrow dies apart from His will!

"What is the price of two sparrows - one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

KEEP LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE...IT'S ALL UNDER CONTROL!
Job 38 - The Lord Challenges Job

1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:

2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?

3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.

5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?

6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone.

7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb,

9 and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?

10 For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.

11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.Here your proud waves must stop!’

12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east?

13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?

14 As the light approaches,the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors.

15 The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence.

16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths?

17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?

18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!

19 “Where does light come from, and where does darkness go?

20 Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there?

21 But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!

22 “Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail?

23 (I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war.)

24 Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind?

25 “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning?

26 Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives?

27 Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up?

28 “Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew?

29 Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?

30 For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.

31 “Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion?

32 Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens?

33 Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?

34 “Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain?

35 Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct?

36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind?

37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven

38 when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?

39 “Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites

40 as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket?

41 Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger?

Because this was such a blessing to me today - just what I needed, my "30 Days of Giving Thanks" post, Day 9 is giving thanks for the promises found in Matthew 10:29-31!

Joyce, Brookside Cottage, is the host of this challenge.

6 comments:

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Kathy,
My parents just got through their latest health concerns. There will come a time when they are too frail to do some of the things they like to do, like watch our grandson. It's hard seeing those things happening when you live in the same town. I imagine it's quite difficult when you're not in the same town.

I found your blog while looking for Christian blogs that are about every day life. It's not preachy at all. I am new to blogging, and kind of think my Christian one may come across that way, too, but I went to having that separate from my garden one so that I could be more open about my faith. Like the title of the blog states, I am using it as a way to stay connected to God, since I seem to want to spend most of my evenings on the computer.

Like my husband says, "Blog on!"

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

You and I are such kindred spirits it is amazing and awesome! I used the same verse for Day 9...different reason, but same verse!

pam said...

Excellent. No matter what the next second brings---we are blessed because He will always be part of those seconds, minutes, days, months, years---whatever is to come. I too, have times that things of this world try and shake my perspective. I do a lot of, "NOPE, not going to wallow there, not going to focus there" and whip my eyes back to the throne. So thankful we have Him.

Joyce said...

Dear Kathy~ what an awesome post!! I am so thankful I got to see it today! thank you so much....

Lynn said...

Kathy! I swear that I could have honestly written this word for word. I am dealing with the exact same things. Item by item. I am honored to know that other Christians like myself deal with these life ordeals and I'm not alone. I am so blessed to be able to help my parents on a daily basis. I too, worry (???) about my kids/grandkids, and deal with my own health issues. But, I am so proud to be able to get through the day and feel like I have accomplished something with GOd's help.

Technonana said...

Thanks Sister for passing on your faith!! I'm sure most of us have felt like Job. I believe that is one of the reasons his story is in the Bible, to reasure us that we are not alone in our struggles!!
It's always great to know that there are others who struggle and can come along side and help us out.
Thanks for this enlightening Post.