The Crucible of Ache

Thank you, Colleen, for sharing this: 

It's totally natural to ask "why?" when we are going through the crucible of ache. Why me? Why now? Why him? Why her? Why this? But I've discovered that asking "why?" assumes information has the power to heal. If I just knew why the suffering is happening, we conclude, the pain would be easier to endure. I've learned, however, that information can't mend a wounded heart. We see this in the story of Job. Even if God had told Job why he was suffering, Job still would've had to deal with the loss of his health, family, and wealth.

The truth is we may never fully understand why God allows the suffering that devastates our lives. We may never find the right answers to how we'll dig ourselves out. There may not be any silver lining---especially not in the ways we'd like. But we don't need answers as much as we need God's presence in and through the suffering itself. Explanations, I've learned, are often a substitute for trust.

For a believer, God's chief concern in your suffering is to be with you and be Himself for you. And, in the end, we discover this really is enough. --Tullian Tchividjian

Melissa's Song

I just finished Jeremy Camp's book, I Still Believe, and was just overwhelmed with how radiant Jesus was in his love story, Melissa's (his late wife) battle with cancer and the faith he clung to as he walked the rocky path toward healing. Such an inspiring testimony. Below is a song written by a Christian artist and friend of Jeremy & Melissa Camp. Read it and be blessed, friends. Love, Jen

It has been two years since Melissa went to be with her precious Lord Jesus and yet, her testimony lives on and still speaks to me today as loud as it did two years ago! I can still see her, lifting up her hands toward the sky, as we all worshiped Jesus in her's and Jeremy's living room, just a few weeks before February the 5th 2001. That is when God gave me this song. Remembering Melissa will always inspire me to be a worshiper of Jesus, to love God no matter what, to give him everything, my whole heart and to trust that He is in control. Melissa, I love you sister and, I look forward to see you again in heaven soon...We all miss you here but, the sweet memory of you causes us to want to live and love Jesus all the more and to "hasten the day" of His return... 2 Peter 3:10-13 says: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. NKJV Blessings to all of you! P.S. Please pray for the Hennings, Jeremy and his family today! Lift them up before the Lord, that He would fill each one of them with a peace that passes all understanding...

- Jean-Luc.

Melissa

I know sometimes it’s hard to smile
But even through your pain
I see Jesus
Every time I see you
It’s His love that shines
And everyone believes He lives in you

I can see Jesus on your face
And I can see He’s real by how real is your faith
And in the hard times
Your faith remains so true
O Melissa
I wrote this song for you

O Melissa, O Melissa
How we know
He’s praying for you
O Melissa, sweet Melissa
We all know
Jesus ‘s carrying you

You know I keep praying for your strength
And your need to find God’s hope along the way
His everlasting arms are holding you
Even when strength has failed
He’ll carry you through

O Melissa, O Melissa
How we know
He’s praying for you
O Melissa, sweet Melissa
We all know
He is carrying you

When you are hurting
When in pain
You don’t hesitate to speak His name
He knows your name
He feels your pain
He knows it all
So rest in the shadow of his wings

Alleluia, Alleluia
Now we know
He was right there with you
O Alleluia, Alleluia
Safely home
He has carried you through

How we know
He was praying for you
O Alleluia, Alleluia
You’re in His love
In His care, Allelu…

Alleluia
He loves you, yes He loves you
He loves you more than words can say….

Piper Quote

"God's purposes are good and He's at work doing a thousand things that no one can see but Him. All the perplexing turns in my life lead somewhere good. God is plotting for my joy in all of the seeming setbacks of my life." (Piper)

I needed this reminder more than ever today. Thank you, Melissa & Lisa, for sharing this. 

Memorial Service Today

I'm praying that today's memorial service for Papa would, above all, glorify God in every way, and that every person would walk away blessed and encouraged. Praying that those who don't know Christ would be drawn to Him and that those who are saved would long for more of Him.

Thankful that my Papa and Nana are in Heaven.