Friday's Faith - Merry Katherine’s “Talk” with Me Thanksgiving Day!

Friday's Faith

Merry Katherine’s

“Talk” with Me

Thanksgiving Day!

From my journal on Thanksgiving Day:

11/26/09 First time in 30 years (or maybe ever in my life), Tommy and I have spent Thanksgiving alone. Amidst our grief, we needed it and we loved it. And it has been just what we needed—no demands—just rest, relax, and recreate! …And grieve, and cry, and create!

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Then, as I began my prayer to God, Merry Katherine was there (in my spirit)… responding to my words, and so I responded back… As you may notice, I cry and cry throughout this dialogue with my precious child…

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I miss her Lord.

I’m right here, Mommy.

As I read Romans 8, I am crying over the tender mercies of God toward you. He did things for you that you could not do for yourself. He did things for you I could not do for you either…

I know Mommy. He’s a good God, and I didn’t deserve any of it.

I know precious. Neither do I. He is a good God. He even loves us “in spite” of ourselves. He is so merciful.

Baby, I felt so helpless with you. I couldn’t stop you from your self-destructive path, and it was killing me.

I know Mommy. I couldn’t stop me either. But God did.

He kept you from running too far, didn’t He baby? (More tears) He did for you what I couldn’t. I am so thankful He is such a big God and wise God and loving God. He helped us to allow you to hit bottom, then He wooed you back to Himself. I can never thank Him enough for that. (More tears)

It’s all good now Mommy.

That’s hard for me to climb into because I can’t see any of it! I get stuck in the tragic ending and in all our efforts that were so ineffective to stop you… (More tears)

But Mommy, God calls you to live by faith—to believe in what you can’t see.

That’s why I need to steep myself in Scripture to remind myself of what IS true even though I can’t see it all yet…

Mommy, tell me what He did for me. Write it down to encourage you and to help others too.

You’re right. I know God gets frustrated when we don’t “see” things by faith, and then we miss out on such a blessing. I am tempted to pull away from Scripture, and just want you back here (still want to have my way)—and then I get stuck there.

Faith is not easy Mommy, but you’ve gotta have it or you’re not gonna make it. You’re staying steeped in the sad.

But it IS sad. Four years ago today, you were sitting in my lap at Aunt Dianne’s for Thanksgiving…

I know Mommy and that was sweet, but can you remember too how miserable I was? I had just gotten kicked out of Lee University!

I do remember that. I guess I’ve got to stay steeped in reality and into God’s will and purposes. I know He’s got things He wants me to do in this world, and I’m still so stuck in all my sadness. –You’ve always been such a realist. Thank you for bringing me back to the realities of God’s truth and of your present peace that is such a stark contrast to your struggles here. I guess on this Thanksgiving Day, I need to stay plugged in to the real and the ultimate reality of all that God has done for you, and IS doing for you, and ever praise and thank Him for that.

‘Atta girl, Mommy! You can do it. I’m pulling for you, and God will give you the strength.

I love you baby and miss you so!

I love you too Mommy, and just remember I’m always right here with you!

(More tears) Thank you baby, for your sweet reminders. Happy Thanksgiving, Baby.

Happy Thanksgiving, Mommy! Tell Daddy ‘Hey,’ and I love him!

I will Baby Girl! (More tears) He’s not doing so well either—he misses you terribly and wants to hug you again! Please pray for him.

Tell Daddy I’m pulling for him, and I pray for him ev-ver-day!

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(Ev-ver-day was an inside joke she and her Daddy had! When Tommy visited her kindergarten class for lunch one day, he sat by a little boy named Jackson who was a best friend to Merry Katherine. Jackson looked up at her daddy and said, “Did you know Merry Katherine ‘body-slams’ me on the playground?!” Tommy of course said, “No!” And Jackson replied –the now infamous quote we always say— “Yup, ev-ver-day!”

(You must remember, Merry Katherine has two older brothers, so she had to be pretty tough to survive her childhood!)

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So, at Merry Katherine’s request, I want to share with you the things I found in Romans 8 yesterday that reminded me of all the many things God has done for Merry Katherine, and many of the things He is going to do for her…

From Romans 8:

Ø Therefore, there is now no condemnation for Merry Katherine who is in Christ Jesus because

Ø through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set her free from the law of sin and death.

Ø For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did for Merry Katherine by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.

Ø And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in her (and in us) …

Ø Her mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Ø (Since) Christ is in Merry Katherine, her body is dead because of sin, yet her spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Ø And (since) the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in her, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to her mortal body through His Spirit, who lives in her.

Ø …For Merry Katherine did not receive a spirit that makes her a slave again to fear, but she received the Spirit of daughter-ship.

Ø And by Him she cries, “Abba, Father.” (“Daddy!”) The Spirit Himself testifies with her spirit that she is God’s child.

Ø Now (since) Merry Katherine is His child, then she is His heir—an heir of God and a co-heir of Christ, (since) indeed she shared in His sufferings in order that she may also share in His glory.

Ø …(Her past and my) present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in her and in us…

Ø …Merry Katherine will be liberated from creation’s bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Ø …She who has the first-fruits of the Spirit groaned inwardly as she waited eagerly for her adoption as daughter, the redemption of her body. For in this hope, she was saved. But hope that’s seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what she already has? But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently.

Ø …In the same way, the Spirit helped Merry Katherine in her weakness. She did not know what she should pray, but the Spirit Himself interceded for her with groans that words cannot express.

Ø And He who searched her heart knew the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit interceded for her in accordance with God’s will.

Ø And we know that in ALL THINGS God worked for the good of Merry Katherine who loved Him;

Ø She had been called according to His purpose.

Ø For, Merry Katherine whom God foreknew (knew before the beginning of time, before He created her), He also predestined (chose before the beginning of time itself), to be conformed to the likeness of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Ø And those (like Merry Katherine) He predestined, He also called;

Ø Those (like Merry Katherine) He called, He also justified (made them as just and holy as Jesus Christ their Savior);

Ø Those (like Merry Katherine) He justified, He also glorified (brought them into Eternal Glory to share in Christ’s glory).

Ø What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for Merry Katherine who can be against her?

Ø He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for her and all of us—how will He not also, along with (giving to her and to us) His own Son, graciously give her (and us) all things?

Ø Who will bring any charge against Merry Katherine whom God Himself has chosen? It is God who justifies.

Ø Who is he who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and also interceded for her (as He does for us).

Ø Who (could) separate Merry Katherine from the love of Christ? (Could) trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No!

Ø In all these things she was more than conqueror through Him who loves her.

Ø For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (was nor) will be able to separate Merry Katherine (or us) from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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And I say to God's words, Amen and Amen. So be it!

Thank You, Lord, for Your wonders to my child and to me and to all Your children! And thank You for a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

May God bless and keep each one of you close to His heart, for He loves you just as much as He does Merry Katherine, indeed, just as much as He loves His own Son!

Friday's Faith - God’s Love Letter to Me About My Child

Friday's Faith

God’s Love Letter to Me About My Child

“I so loved Merry Katherine

that I gave My one and only Son

so that when she believed in Him,

she would not perish,

but would have eternal life!

Remember, I did not send My Son

to condemn her because she was

condemned already before she

received Him into her heart.”

John 3:16-17

I called her. I am faithful and

I provided the ultimate sacrifice for her

so that through My Son’s sacrificial blood,

I sanctified her through and through

so that her whole spirit, soul and body would

ever be kept blameless before Me—

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

What she could not do for herself, I did for her.

I called her, I am faithful,

And I cleansed her through and through.

I did not appoint her to suffer wrath that night

but prepared her heart many years earlier

to receive salvation through her Lord Jesus Christ

so to win her fight.

Jesus died for her so that whether awake or asleep,

she would ever and always live together with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Remember, I did not send My Son for the

purpose of condemning her because she was condemned

already before she believed on Him.

No, rather, I sent My Son to save her through Him.

She was saved, she is saved, and

Now she is safe with Me through all eternity!

John 3:16-18

Remember, Jesus told you clearly and it is recorded in My word:

The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that she may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down

his life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me__

she knew Me—so even though she died,

she lives always and forever with Me.

John 10:10-13

Now I want you to believe Me,

rest in Me,

and encourage others with My words to you

that they too can always trust in Me.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

the Father of compassion and

the God of all comfort

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over

into our lives, so also through Christ our

comfort overflows.

If we are distressed, it can be used for your

comfort and salvation;

if we are comforted, it can be used for

your comfort, which produces in

you patient endurance of the same

sufferings we suffer.

And our hope for you is firm, because we know

that just as you share in our sufferings,

so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

12/26/07 – 12/27/07 At Destin Beach – Scripture, Adapted by Angie B. Prince

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Lord, Help Us Not Lose Heart

Lord, help us not lose heart

Though outwardly we waste away,

Inwardly Your Spirit renews us

Day by day.

Help us Lord, turn from our ways

Which to Yours are so contrary—

Fix our eyes on the unseen that is eternal

Rather than the seen that is temporary.

Rose with Snow Picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos

Cloud Picture: http://bit.ly/1tYNVZ

12/26-27/2007 - Scripture (adapted) - Angie Bennett Prince

Poem – Lord, Help Us Not Lose Heart – Angie Bennett Prince – 05/04/08

Tuesday's Trust!

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;

No one can snatch them out of My Father's hand.

John 10:27-29 NIV

Picture: http://tweetphoto.com/gepha8dk

Monday’s Mourning Ministry

Searching the Bible on Behalf of us Bereaved Parents as we Grieve Our Great Loss…

Monday’s Mourning Ministry

Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly without relief, until the Lord looks down from Heaven and sees . . .

My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

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.”

Lamentations 3:48-50, 18-23 NIV

He’s Always Been Faithful

~ Sara Groves

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, Unto Me

(He's Always Been Faithful)

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.

I can’t remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can’t remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful to me.

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He’s always been faithful, He’s always been faithful
He’s always been faithful to me.

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHFK94QH5sU Sara Groves: He's Always Been Faithful

http://thundafunda.com/393/?level=picture&id=3184

The White Bridge

The White Bridge

Looking within my imagination,

I see the White Bridge you crossed on that night

From dreary earth to Glorification:

O what a glorious scene to my sight!

The bridge, made of purest gold, transparent—

And yet, it gave off sheens of whitest light...

Light from Savior-Spirit-God apparent,

Shining rays of Love of the purest white.

Th’ bridge’s span quite wide –from here to Heaven–

With no undergirding that I could see,

Nor could I see the spiritual leaven

That transmuted your soul t’ be heavenly…

But I saw the delight in Abba’s eyes

As He cradled you up into His arms;

Such passionate love our language defies

As He grabbed you away from Satan’s harms…

From th’ blackest evil Satan could concoct

To Whitest Love whose Goodness evil blocked,

Stormed Satan’s stronghold, whisking you away—

Satan crushed, thrown on the ground, left shell-shocked;

Helpless God’s plan t’ circumvent, there he lay.

And the look on your face was ecstasy

As you flew from the ground to Abba’s arms,

Nestling in their loving warmth so snugly,

Thrilled Amazing Grace so deftly disarms.

Now all I can do is quietly stare

As I watch you cross amidst the night air,

Awed, I see your flight from Nightmare t’ God’s Care;

Now God kisses your face, caresses your hair…

See Psalm 18 and Revelation 21

(Jesus said,) “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies” John 11:25

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:10

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose…And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28,30

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father in Heaven . . . . In the same way your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 18:10,14

(Jesus said,) “So he (the once rebellious son) got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:20-24

...Jesus... (said), Suppose one of you has a 100 sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there is more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:3-7

All scripture quoted is from The New International Version of The Holy Bible Painting: The White Bridge by John Henry Twachtman, c1885 Poetry prompts: scene/seen, span, stare/stair as prompted by http://simplysnickers.blogspot.com/2009/08/poetry-prompt-through-sunday-august-9.html Encouraging thoughts about my child and her Savior as prompted by http://www.mcklinky.com/blog_hop.asp

Written 8/5/09 - The White Bridge - Angie Bennett Prince