Sunday, January 23, 2011

Light in the Heart of Dimness


From my heart to yours, I thank you for bearing with me as I am draw from the Well of Living Waters and seek his strength.  When I last posted in November, I did not expect to be away from blogging for so long.  I never planned a break.  I just kept clinging to the belief that each day I would feel rested and find strength to post again.  That day has not arrived; yet, I am beginning to see light flicker in dimness.

The flurry of bringing our home back together, increasing chronic pain and fatigue, along with caring for my grandchildren and keeping up with church became a bit overwhelming for me.  It is not easy to admit weakness, but I recognize pride as a dangerous enemy and a barrier that prevails against overcoming faith.  So, I appreciate your prayers, as I seek refreshment that I may again encourage you and give my life more wholly to Jesus.

Isn't God great?  Aren't you so thankful to know him and share in the gospel of Jesus Christ?  God's faithfulness and mercy astound me each day, and despite my feelings, I awake every morning with joy, knowing that He created our days and nothing surpasses his knowledge or love.  Oh, yeah!  Lamentations 3:22-24 is one of my favorite passages, and I can't go one day without it! 

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'”

Hold that one close to your soul, my friend!  And let the words of Jeremiah filter through your struggles.  He knew his portion.  That portion is God himself, "who was and is and is to come" (Revelation 4:8).  Never count God out!  He always shows up!  Bless his holy name!

I love you, sweet friends!  Hang with me, please!






P. S.  The pic below is from Christmas day.  My husband is always by my side, and I love him for his heart that's so huge it would hold the world and for his awesome love for the Lord.



*Bible quotes are from the NIV.

27 comments:

  1. So thankful for your post! I love the picture of you and the Mister. God is good and full of love.
    Love you dear friend!

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  2. What a sweet picture!

    I've missed reading you, Andrea. That scripture is made more dear by what I've been reading lately -- the book of Jeremiah. He knew disappointment and discouragement firsthand, yet he penned those words. That's encouraging!

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  3. Andrea, thank you for letting us know that you are in need of prayer. It's an honor to pray for your healing. You have prayed for me and so many others. It's your turn to be blessed. :)

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  4. It is good to see you here Andrea. I figured you took off for the holidays and that we'd see you here again. Thanking God for His refreshing of your soul and body.

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  5. Oh, Andrea! I can relate more to your situation than you know. This morning BEFORE I read this, I was contemplating my condition (dangerous, sometime; necessary, other times).

    Somewhere along the line, I have slipped from contentment into complacency. My "excuse" is shingles which have left me discouraged, exhausted, and without enthusiasm for life. They have taken me out of the game, so to speak.

    I have become lazy, unproductive and stagnant. You statement, "Never count God out", is great fuel for me today.

    I truly DO think I get up every morning with expectancy, but it quickly seems to slip through my fingers. (Perhaps because my expectancy is based on healing rather than God Himself?)

    Today IS a new day and to expectancy, I am going to add "intentionality", by His grace. Praying for you with thanksgiving for this timely post.

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  6. Dear Andrea keep walking on. Hugs to you. Such a beautiful picture

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  7. You will be in my prayers dear sister! The Lord loves to bless His children and gives strength to those who ask to draw from His abundance of it. Praise God for such a loving Father!

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  8. Oh dear Andrea,
    I am so happy to hear from you again. Praise God for the light that is coming in. I rejoice with you in this new season of new discovery, and deepening your roots in Him.

    Your Christmas photo is beautiful! Your inner joy shines through.

    May blessings abound in your life this 2o11.

    Love
    Lidj

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  9. Andrea:
    I continue to pray for you too, and I know that God is doing good things even now. His mercies ARE new every morning, even on the mornings we don't feel them as much.

    Special prayer right now, and big hugs my sweet friend.

    xo

    Sonja

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  10. Dearest Andrea,

    I apologize that I didn't even know you hadn't been blogging. I had been so busy with life that I was feeling guilty for not looking at your site. Now today I find that I haven't missed anything except the chance to be praying more diligently for you. May God continue to bless you and keep you in His loving arms.

    Loving and praying,
    Sue

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  11. Andrea, so delighted to see you posting again. Take time to rest and recover.

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  12. I've been a wee bit remiss myself, and with far fewer (or worthy) reasons. Sounds like you've been very wise in making choices about how to spend your time & energy. I pray the latter increases greatly, and soon.

    It's good to see you here, friend.

    Hugs, prayers and blessings,
    Kathleen

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  13. Andrea, I wondered what happened to you that you were not posting any longer. Sorry to hear that you've been under the weather. Glad to see you back and hope you will find much refreshment in posting again.

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  14. Andrea~
    Even when you are asking for prayer and encouragement, you are blessing us still!
    In your 'admitting weakness' your are freeing up the Lord to make you strong in Him!
    "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with destresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
    *Hanging* with you, my friend!

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  15. Mercy, compassion, faithfulness and hope! What wonderful words of comfort. I've taken refuge in these verses many, many times.

    I am reminded of the words Corrie Ten Boom's sister whispered to her while in a concentration camp, "there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still".

    May God refresh, renew and strengthen you my dear sister Andrea.

    Love you too and I will definitly be hanging!

    Blessings,
    Debra

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  16. Andrea, So nice to see your post. So sorry to hear of your struggles. The world itself is groaning isn't it? I feel it as well. Oh such struggle, pain and weariness. The Church feels it first I believe... then we will be prepared to have compassion and be of help to the lost world who has not yet come to realize "that" which is to come. We are His hands and feet and the extension of His heart. I believe that our eyes will behold "The Great Harvest", and we will be workers in it. "Oh Lord, stir up our faith and strength, so that our "oil supply" will never fail."

    Love the scripture you gave. Your post are always precious and your heart is so sweet. Love the picture of you and your hubby. Look forward to future posts.. but don't feel pressure, we all have our moments when it is just too much. Am praying for your strength healing and blessings over your life.
    Much Love,
    Pam

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  17. Been a while since I was over here.... I know HE will sustain you and give you strength because HE promised!

    There are some rough spots in the road but HE walks with us....

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  18. Dearest Andrea,

    I am glad to see that you are posting again. May the Lord bless you in all that you do! Take good care of yourself:).

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  19. Thinking of you after seeing your comment on my facebook post...so I came over here to see what's "new"! Hope your are making progress THROUGH your circumstances and are not UNDER them :)

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  20. Andrea......Please know that I'm lifting you before the Throne of Grace right now and will continue to do so!

    HE IS FAITHFUL!!

    Warm Hugs and Blessings!
    Jackie

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  21. Pastors' wives experience unique struggles and challenges that few others can understand, or appreciate. The new book, "The Runaway Pastor's Wife", takes a look, with an inside perspective, at one such pastor's wife and her struggles.

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  22. Andrea, Praying all is well and that you will soon be back to blogging.Dee

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  23. Dear Andrea,
    Thinking about you and lifting you up in prayer.
    d

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  24. Thinking of you this morning; praying God's richest blessings.

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  25. Miss your writing; love your sweet heart. You're my kindred friend. I wish we lived closer to one another. You're in my prayers this night...

    peace~elaine

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  26. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 1l:28-3O

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  27. Thinking of you, sweet girl.

    Hold on to the Giver of Dreams.

    Sweet dreams,
    Deb

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Thank you for visiting. I cherish your thoughts. You are special to me, but most of all, you are special to God, who loves you with everlasting love. May your life be swept into His joy and peace.

In the Wonderful Love of Christ our Savior,

Andrea