Thank you for this Pastor. I suffer from post-concussion syndrome. Severe chronic migraines brought on by light, sound, and smell sensitivities, balance issues, short-term memory problems. Years of have all sorts of different meds thrown at me, most of which did nothing but make sick. On top of that my wife and I have only one child, last summer he was diagnosed as level 3 (the worst) on the autism spectrum. People have said they have been amazed by how well we handle things, but oh if they saw the tears that God has seen. However, God has shown His presence with us on this journey. Providing ways and means of getting our son the expensive therapies he needs and keeping me going on my most painful days.
Romans 5:1-5
5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Wow. I think this is posted for me and I will take it as a gift. Thank You! Tears do fall and after giving near everything I owned away and left my homeland everything was replaced in that what I was missing back home was given in a new way. Music, new people, education, love, marriage, increased cultural life, instruments and health. Better food. A Garden three apartments, Land, an old abandoned garden right in a city center. We often think of it as a little paradise just waiting for someone that can use it. Everything belongs to God. Nothing is ours. We even give Him our sin. Since my last postings. It seems a peace has come over me. I have decided to use less of the internet. To attempt to comment less or in fewer places. I found an old hard drive with all the music I had converted to mp3's. I also have all the sheet music and fake books on that drive. Amazing. All you need is love. :) Something is noticed in this listening to old music from places I played music. A hole in the stomach seems to develop. The music, I played for years with the gang hurts. It seems, acknowledging people and places die. Neighborhoods change, and we do too. Jesus stays the same. His word remains. A friend from church asked me after I told him I shared my faith with all these famous people in my travels. He asked, do you think they made it to heaven? Maybe this is the hole felt in the stomach. We can only hope. I said to him. I can't judge, God does that. It always seems this way in this life of travel sailing and music. We share as in water and plant and know and hope God gives the growth. It is what it means to be a neighbor, I said to my friend. Christian Musicians and Sailors and Lacrosse Managers and Fitness Instructors, as well as Millwrights and playing in the realms of a political party. Always a feeling of abandonment. Did I do enough. God knows. I have moved on and many have also. Many have passed, and of course memories of people and places come to us in music. I think it is why I love playing old hymns. The elders of our youth and all the people we have met in faith come to visit. All of us young forever, it seems. A lifetime of faithful people. As we share our faith and little stories to remind people of prayer or faith or Jesus and His love. Always an opportunity to see and to speak. Encourage one and other, bear each of the others burdens, speak the truth in love. It is the way. All people are blessed by the Lord. Even the unbelievers. Thanks once again, Pastor, Bryan for all you do for so many, Internet theologians. I should probably read Luthers works. I remember reading Walthers the correct intermingling of law and gospel a few times. Then a lot of his lectures as well. Probably many with you. Hmm> How did Luther know? How we know Luther! :) Thanks to all who have shared their faith in the Lord with us all the days of our lives. Thanks Be to Jesus. Amen. Tom in RIga
Thank you for this Pastor. I suffer from post-concussion syndrome. Severe chronic migraines brought on by light, sound, and smell sensitivities, balance issues, short-term memory problems. Years of have all sorts of different meds thrown at me, most of which did nothing but make sick. On top of that my wife and I have only one child, last summer he was diagnosed as level 3 (the worst) on the autism spectrum. People have said they have been amazed by how well we handle things, but oh if they saw the tears that God has seen. However, God has shown His presence with us on this journey. Providing ways and means of getting our son the expensive therapies he needs and keeping me going on my most painful days.
Romans 5:1-5
5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I have leaned on these verses heavily.
Thank you Pastor,
Blessings to you in Christ
Dan
Wow. I think this is posted for me and I will take it as a gift. Thank You! Tears do fall and after giving near everything I owned away and left my homeland everything was replaced in that what I was missing back home was given in a new way. Music, new people, education, love, marriage, increased cultural life, instruments and health. Better food. A Garden three apartments, Land, an old abandoned garden right in a city center. We often think of it as a little paradise just waiting for someone that can use it. Everything belongs to God. Nothing is ours. We even give Him our sin. Since my last postings. It seems a peace has come over me. I have decided to use less of the internet. To attempt to comment less or in fewer places. I found an old hard drive with all the music I had converted to mp3's. I also have all the sheet music and fake books on that drive. Amazing. All you need is love. :) Something is noticed in this listening to old music from places I played music. A hole in the stomach seems to develop. The music, I played for years with the gang hurts. It seems, acknowledging people and places die. Neighborhoods change, and we do too. Jesus stays the same. His word remains. A friend from church asked me after I told him I shared my faith with all these famous people in my travels. He asked, do you think they made it to heaven? Maybe this is the hole felt in the stomach. We can only hope. I said to him. I can't judge, God does that. It always seems this way in this life of travel sailing and music. We share as in water and plant and know and hope God gives the growth. It is what it means to be a neighbor, I said to my friend. Christian Musicians and Sailors and Lacrosse Managers and Fitness Instructors, as well as Millwrights and playing in the realms of a political party. Always a feeling of abandonment. Did I do enough. God knows. I have moved on and many have also. Many have passed, and of course memories of people and places come to us in music. I think it is why I love playing old hymns. The elders of our youth and all the people we have met in faith come to visit. All of us young forever, it seems. A lifetime of faithful people. As we share our faith and little stories to remind people of prayer or faith or Jesus and His love. Always an opportunity to see and to speak. Encourage one and other, bear each of the others burdens, speak the truth in love. It is the way. All people are blessed by the Lord. Even the unbelievers. Thanks once again, Pastor, Bryan for all you do for so many, Internet theologians. I should probably read Luthers works. I remember reading Walthers the correct intermingling of law and gospel a few times. Then a lot of his lectures as well. Probably many with you. Hmm> How did Luther know? How we know Luther! :) Thanks to all who have shared their faith in the Lord with us all the days of our lives. Thanks Be to Jesus. Amen. Tom in RIga