Friends: In the midst of turmoil, uncertainty, dejection, desperation, confusion, and bewilderment, we know that we have made our choice in the past for Jesus and we cannot look back with regret or into the future with fear. We are in Christ, and we are saved! The results of this election are not only frustrating -- but astonishing! What we once knew is no more. What we don't know is still to come. What used to be will never be again but we can't dwell on that. How can evil reign while good is punished? Well, we were told in God's Word that this would be the case. But Jesus is the Be All, End All -- He is our Blessed Hope! Don't let anybody take that from you. Stay strong, don't give into evil, and keep looking up every day! Yesterday's Yesterday I returned to espy reflections of old, But was staring into a vacant mirror, All the places I thought would never change, Didn’t echo the voices I used to hear. An acquaintance emerged that I thought I knew, So I turned to say “Hello”, But he looked right through me and moved away, -- He wasn’t that friend from long ago. It was asserted when I left that I’d stay away, The divide was too large to return, As I crossed the rivers that embraced my future, I realized the bridges back had begun to burn. My life was in tumult – something had to give, I yearned for a better fate, To move forward I needed to leave the past, So as to alter my destiny before it was too late. I was determined to travel a different Path, And ventured off for disparate activities, Kaleidoscopic change emerged with Faith, Precluding the continuance of past proclivities. I now hear verses from faded songs, That rekindle memories of youthful antiquity, But as I attempt to recapture what once transpired, The perceptions are different from what I used to see. It’s not those rivers that flow through time, Or neglected bridges that are to blame, When you die to self and live for Christ, Nothing can ever be the same. I still hope to reunite with old friends, The shadows of familiarity still burn within, Even though it has been too long a journey between, Hopefully a future in Heaven is about to begin. Silent years have slowly passed us by, But there is still time to alter course, A decision can still be made for Christ, To alleviate regret and all remorse. The lost souls of this world can still be saved, Eternity can still be ours to share, The past has passed and is gone forever, While the future beckons us in the present glare. I don't know why I wrote this, but I did. God works in mysterious ways that I can't even fathom -- but I trust in Him, and Him alone. Your Pal, Humbly Again, beautiful! Bless your heart and spirit! Not looking back! Sage advice! TR Thanks TR -- much appreciated! I'll go back now to being ostracized by my family who are all watching the lame-steam media and relishing in the new potus (lower-case intended). They are mocking me because I am so dense and following conspiracy theories. Just another normal day in my "paradise here on earth". I can't wait to be gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Humbly This stanza spoke of an experience I had just yesterday: An acquaintance emerged that I thought I knew, So I turned to say “Hello”, But he looked right through me and moved away, — He wasn’t that friend from long ago. I am on my neighborhood's HOA board and had a site survey to do yesterday afternoon. Three of us met at the residences house to approve the construction of a storage shed. When the third board member showed up she was friendly with the resident and the other board member but seemed to look right through me. It wasn't this way before, even though I live in a very liberal country. The only thing I have "done" that would bring this change about is that everyone here knows I am a Christian. Now, with the new regime in place, I am no longer worthy of common respect. It was odd but given what is going on in spiritual places I'm not surprised. Don't be surprised when people treat you differently for no apparent reason. I'm right there with you Yohanan -- the "cancelling" has begun and the words from our new leaders are that the beatings will only stop when morale improves. 🙁 Humbly For me the canceling began months ago, I am not sure why other than my faith bothers other people. When my daughter unexpectedly went to Heaven in the fall of 2018, it rocked me and hard but I didn't lose my faith....in fact over time it actually grew- I am so thankful to Jesus and love Him even more because I know my Brandi is with Him as she was a believer saved by His grace. My time with her is not over and our reunion awaits when my Blessed Savior calls us home- I speak of these things and how I can live today and each day with joy because I know what is coming....for some reason, people are bothered by this, I am not grieving in the way that they think I should I guess.....but doesn't the scripture tell us not to grieve as others who have no hope? I will stick with His promises, as I know each of you do....and it will make us more unpopular with the crowd, I'm okay with that. Won't heaven be wonderful!!! Soon and very soon :flyup: Indeed, you live out your hope before men! That annoys them greatly! Just as like when Stephen was martyr'ed, it was noted his countenance as being angelic, yet they stoned him anyway! People without faith cannot tolerate those with faith! The contrast of that indictment against them becomes too apparent! TR churchgal: I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter . We continually suffer loss on this earth and will until the end -- but we know for a surety that we will gain all of Eternity and Everything within it! You shall see Brandi again as well as all the rest of us who have lost loved ones in the past. This is just a temporary sorrow that will be replaced by Eternal happiness! Keep looking up! Humbly Ditto! When did she pass?! TR Thank you HI and TR for the condolences, my girl went to Heaven on 10/31/2018. It kind of seems like yesterday in a way and then sometimes it feels like a very long time. It hurts absolutely every day, some worse than others. Fortunately the Spirit speaks quietly in my heart and comforts me when it gets bad, and He tells me to hold on, keep going, keep the faith and to look up and forward; that the pain of this life can't compare to the joy that's coming. I lean on that every single day. The Lord blessed me also with a son who got married last year to a lovely girl. My husband has been a rock, although I know he hurts quietly in his own way. Thank you all for getting to talk a bit about my Brandi, others sometimes get uncomfortable when I talk of her. I will see if I can share a picture of her, she is quite the beauty. :heart:
