The Power of Lament or Sadness:

Power of Lament or Sadness:

There are many parts of the church in the West where positive thinking and “name it and claim it” theology are the dominant ideology. This works off the premise that God wants the best for you and is just waiting to give it to you. If your life is going well, if you are succeeding, then this way of seeing God and Christianity is what you are looking for.

But what if you are struggling? What if life is hard? What if you can’t see a way out of the situation you are in?

That is true of many people, and it’s not because they are unfaithful or that God is punishing them. It is true because life is often hard. The comforting news is that the Bible has much to say if you are finding life difficult.

The Bible gives us a model for how to respond in challenging times. It’s the power of lament. Many Psalms and the entire book of Lamentations show us how we can offload our burdens through prayer. It gives scope to complain, express outrage and share our pain. These parts of the Bible don’t offer solutions, but they show how God is interested in us expressing our grief and that he will ultimately walk alongside us.

My life has been marked by seasons of real pain and sorrow. ( My Wife of 35 years psssed away almost 2 years ago ) So Bible with talking with friends and GOD has been a helpful part of my life- story.

 (Digital Anvil )

Friends

Friends

Al Stewart has written a helpful book for men called The Manual: Getting Masculinity Right. One chapter covers the difficult issue of friendship. Tragically, most men have few friends.

Stewart shares several definitions of friendship, but then adds his own insightful definition.

“A friend is someone who will tell you the hard things because they care for you. It’s your friends who’ll tell you what you need to hear.”

Stewart is echoing the words of the teacher in Proverbs – “wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Who are your friends, what do you need to hear from them and what do you need to say to them?

Life is too short to live without good, honest, caring friends.

Share this daily- reading.

Karl Faase,my thanks.

( from Digital Anvil)

 Reason-- the Ultimate Achievement ?

 

 

“…the ultimate achievement of reason is to recognize that there is an infinity of things which surpass it. It is indeed feeble if it can’t get as far as understanding that.”

Blaise Pascal.

 

Worth Pondering. ( Leave your comments below ) 

(Digital Anvil.)

 Did You Hear or Know ?

 

Most Controversial Vote in the European Parliament tabled --recently with cheers of " Send them Home ."

 

 Migration and Returns Law: Parliament backed a law to accelerate deportations and speed up the return of migrants with no legal right to stay in the EU

please note link is to Instagram. 

 

 

link to Video 

 

 (by Digital Anvil)

 

Focus, Connection and Meaning

New York based Professor Jonathan Haidt began an article on Gen Z with this observation…

“Earlier this year, someone started a viral trend of asking ChatGPT this question: If you were the devil, how would you destroy the next generation, without them even knowing it?

ChatGPT’s responses were profound and unsettling: “I wouldn’t come with violence. I’d come with convenience.” “I’d keep them busy. Always distracted.”

“I’d watch their minds rot slowly, sweetly, silently.”

Haidt went on to write that the most chilling part of the ChatGPTs suggestion is that this is exactly what has happened for Gen Z through smartphones and social media.

Haidt would go onto to suggest what this generation needs is focus, connection, and meaning. I would add that meaning is best found in personal faith with the Creator 

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Thanks, Karl Faase.

( from Digital Anvil)

Mental Health Improved During The Blitz:

Mental Health Improved During The London Blitz

When the Apostle James wrote to Christians in the early church, he said they should “consider it pure joy whenever you face trials” (James 1:2). These words were about Christian living, but they also reflect human nature. People can actually do well, and even improve during challenging times.

During the Second World War, when London was being bombed nightly, author Sebastian Junger writes, “Psychiatrists watched in puzzlement as long-standing patients saw their symptoms subside during the period of intense air raids.”

This also occurred after the September 11 terror attack in New York. There were several positive signs including that the “suicide rate dropped by around 20 percent in six months following the attacks.”

In tough times, you may feel the pressure and challenge, but the Apostle James may be right; consider it a joy, because it may be growing your character.

Share this daily- reading.

My happy thanks to Karl Faase.

(From Digital Anvil )

The Blitz term refers to the nightly bombing of London and England during WW2. A time of hammering destruction upon the people of Britain.

Keep Turning Up!

Over the years I have met or watched at a distance many gifted and talented individuals. Some go on to achieve remarkable prominence and influence in life, while others fade and some fail.

We tend to assume that it is natural gifts and exceptional talent that create success. God gifts some people more than others, and they go on to make the greatest impact. But it’s not that simple.

It’s helpful to remember that those who have sustained influence do so through consistency and persistence. It’s not that talent is irrelevant, but consistency and persistence are key.

Whatever level of gifts and talent you feel you possess, be consistent in your character and persistent in your calling and who knows what God will do?

Keep turning up!

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My gratitude to Karl Faase.

( from Digital Anvil )