Testimonies & Thoughts

We are in the middle of trying to learn more about God's love, His discipline strategies, and His character.  I don't claim to have that all figured out - but I wanted to record today's impression I received.   People say, "God did not make you sick." or "God does not hurt His children."  We wonder why then do we endure such physical hardships.  This morning, in my time with the Lord, I read something that really hit me as an answer to this dilemma I have had.  It basically said that God eventually turns us over to the evil side when we refuse to repent or obey (I am paraphrasing).  This finally made sense to me.  I know God is a just God and He cannot be just and allow His children to repeatedly disobey without any consequences - not for their sake or for the sake of others.  So, though GOD is not the one that brought the specific hardship, it is possible, by our refusing to obey and follow in His safety and protection of our lives, WE have allowed

This morning I felt the Lord show me myself, once again, through the example of our toddler. He came into our room so frustrated, because he was trying to put his baby guitar in the carrying case.  He had the large part of the guitar going into the large part of the case.  However, the problem was, once it got inside, the neck was still sticking out and the case was upside down.  In his frustration, he came in and asked, "Can you help?"  "Of course, I can help you!" I said cheerfully as I hopped out of bed to "rescue him".  This was the first we had heard or seen him. Our entire family had slept in (we are in the middle of a nice ice storm and are completely off schedule). I actually suprised myself with my immediate cheerful response towards him.  I saw what he was trying to do.  I saw how frustrated he was.  I knew the answer.  I knew I could help them, and I was anxious to do so as soon as he asked. I was able to turn the case around, put the