Aslan?

[Willow]

I didn't get a chance to formally welcome you.
I sure hope you keep posting here. I got a lot out of just reading your replies to some of the others here.

Amy

[aslan903]

Amy (and other precious ones, loved by God),

I've been silent a couple of days due to distractions. However, I've had each one here on my heart and mind. You know, if there were 'one' teaching/revelation/truth in God's Word that I could live the rest of my life with and experience every ounce of blessing/power/freedom/love, etc., that Jesus promised, it would be Romans 8:28.

Nothing can happen to us, long term, that will not turn towards our ultimate blessing. I see God in control even when things don't appear to 'go right' for us.

I came across the path of a lady the other day who was quite bewildered by a direction she had taken in her life. Things didn't 'appear' to be working out at all like she had believed they would. She was especially puzzled by the fact that she and others had covered this direction with prayer and felt God's leading in it.

I shared with her that I never read a scripture that if God leads you in a certain way, then you won't have any problems and the way will be smooth. So many people believe that they have direction from God until trouble comes along. Then they say, 'I guess I must have 'missed God'. This isn't true at all. They lose confidence in their own walk with God which exacerbates their problems.

There is always a cross before a resurrection. However, the resurrection speaks last and ultimately. Jesus became a criminal (in the eyes of man) before he was declared the king of all kings.

God wants our egos to die. Galatians 2:20 (another of my fav scriptures) uses the word 'I' for the Greek word, ego. I read it this way. 'Ego is crucified with Christ, nevertheless 'ego' lives, yet it isn't 'ego' but Christ. The life that 'ego' lives in the flesh, 'ego' lives by faith in the son of God. The cross is meant for our egos.

I could tell incredible horror stories of what I've gone through, particularly in the past few years. However, though they were not fun to go through, each one was necessary to bring me to where I am today. I have more peace, more freedom and more abundance in my life than I've ever experienced. As I look back over what seemed to be 'life trauma' over the past few years, I see clearly now how it was all necessary for God to bring where I am today. Was it worth it? You bet it was.

Was it worth Jesus going to the cross to bring all us to the throne of God? Jesus just said to me in spirit, 'You bet it was, Mike'. We are all going to make it. You are. I am. Our dear friend who is going through what she and her husband are going through, is going to make it. The ex-shep is going to make it. Nothing ends with the cross except sin and sacrifice. All of our trials and tribulations will someday appear to be mere inconveniences if not out and out blessings disguised as trials.

Since God is for me and for you and for all those who are his own, the hurting ones and the healed ones, then no one can be against us and ever prevail. It isn't possible. I feel a great deal of love and compassion for those who are going through the things that have been described in these postings. My heart, my love and my faith, are with them. I am truly humbled to be here and to hold up anyone's arms that I can.

[Willow]

Dammit man... you oughta have this stuff on a blog or a web site somewhere. It's like apples of gold in frames of silver. Wait... I've heard that somewhere before...

:p

Amy