Saturday, May 17, 2008

The Song of Hope


Throughout this past week, as I have remembered you all and missed you, and thought about what my next post might be about, the one word that kept stubbornly popping up and showing its gleeful face was HOPE! I was reluctant to post on hope AGAIN! But, as it has been the biggest influence in my life lately. I guess that I can't sweep it under the rug. Since it has been my lifeline, my surefast anchor, maybe it will prove a topic we can all relate to!

I don't have anything profound. Just the knowledge that hope I cling to, and hope I realize. During the past six or seven months life has had numerous challenges. Life always will. Indeed we are assured of this through the "words in red", "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33. Through this period in time I have continued with life, while encouraging myself in the Lord, reminding myself what His promises say. Making sure I give the Holy Spirit ample materials to engrave these wonderful promises on my heart. I will also say, that I often turned to music to train my mind and my heart on hope, on the answer and NOT the problem.

I'd like to go into detail, and in time I will be able to. But, many of you may relate to this fact: much of our lives are intertwined with others. Their stories are not ours to tell. I have found that as years go by, and people become more secure in their new found victories and footing, they are more open about what their past experiences have been. Many not even realizing the power there is in freely giving glory to God and letting the light shine on their past, thereby illuminating the power of God to bring transformation, and giving hope to many. I figure when they freely talk about it, then I can share a little. In the meantime, suffice it to say, a major concern of mine, that had threatened to suffocate, has during the last two weeks completely turned around. How good is our God? He is SOOOOO good!

Are there still scars, bruises and other challenges? Yes, yes of course! Am I sweating it?! Mostly NO! One good thing about age, is the longer I walk with the Lord, the longer I live, the more experiences I get to back up my faith. Like David said Saul when it was time to slay the giant, "The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." In other words, the SAME Lord who has been my help in trials past, that SAME Lord will save us now! Troubles can come, we are assured they will, but they can't have the best of me. They can't have the best of my loved ones. Those troubles as I yield them, and as my loved ones yield them to the grace and sovereignty of Our Lord will instead cause us to grow deep strong roots, cause pressure to make the rivers of life bubble up in us, washing away what had previousply clouded our vision, fueling our hope, our faith, our love.

I will close for now with this scripture (Hope maketh not ashamed) that keeps repeating in my mind. I will be back with other things, but, I just had to get this one out of my system.


"...wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed;..." Romans 5:1-5

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Translate? He won't let you down! You won't end up with egg on your face if you place your trust in Him.

11 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Amen dear sister! Keep fighting the good fight of faith...and hope is the reward and the sustenance! Amen! So glad to have you back for a little while!

Knit-Wit said...

I agree. The longer I've walked with the Lord and have been alive the more experience I have when it comes to dealing with people and their challenges.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Thank you for posting this.
Hope is a big thing in my life right now. Remembering that the same one that keeps this earth running is the one who is in control of my life.
And I understand about not being able to share everything.
I am glad that you are seeing victory and Gods hand working in some major areas.
Thank you for coming by....I have missed you. And of course when one of my girls goes missing for too long I begin to worry. In a good way of course.:)
One day we will tell of the glory of God....of the cliff hangers that He wove and then brought to a brilliant conclusion.
Till then....Dear God I thank you for never giving up on us.

Denise said...

Welcome back my sweet friend. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Hope is such a beautiful gift of God, be blessed.

MelanieJoy said...

Hey, good to have you back. I'm glad that some things are making a turn around...I've once or twice asked ones to pray for my loved one but have not been able to share the details. Glad to know God has begun to show that He has and is working in this situation.

Stacey said...

"I will give her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope..." (Hosea 2:15)

Sometimes it is the "valley of trouble" that brings us to the door of hope.

Thanks for your wise and encouraging words. The hope that you have within you shines!

Cecily R said...

I was just thinking about you...I've missed you!!! I'm glad you are back.

I hope everything is okay around your neck of the woods...

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

I'm glad you posted! I've missed you! I hope things are going better. I heard every one of your words and I know that God is working!!

She Rose Up said...

Leslie - Thanks! I love that You had faith & I had hope on the same day for posts! How cool is that? Now we just need a good post on love! Isn't that what Alan Jackson sings? Faith, hope and love? :) Its GREAT to be back! Missed you all!

Karolee - So true! These miles, uh, I mean years, are good for something! :)

Sharon - Thank you! So praying for you all. Hope to come over to your place and hear good news!

Denise - Hope IS beautiful! You are right! I am coming to appreciate it more and more!

Melanie Joy - Thanks! It is great to be back! Missed you all!

Heidi - Hi! Thank you!

Stacey - Thank you! Those are some VERY special verses to me, and while I didn't make the connection to this, they are PERFECT for it! Thank you for for this!

Cecily - Missed you too! Thanks for missing me! I need my dose of "blissful chaotic" humor very much! I'm 10-51! (enroute) :)

Nicki - I so appreciate that! That means a lot! I am over due to come & visit your blog! Be there soon!

To all: I HOPE (& pray) this week has unexpected grace, mercy and blessing for you and your family memebers!

Love,
Maria

Renee said...

Thanks for sharing this! Just stopping by to say Hi.

Joyful Days said...

If we have hope, I think joy is always within reach. When we see how temporary this life is, it makes it easier to get through. Not saying we should rush through anything, even the hard times, but really time passes in a blink.

Blessings,

Julie

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!