I just read the most beautiful article...

[Barb]

It is in the August 2007 issue of the PH, page 16, and is written by Sis. Teresa Baker, wife of Bishop Roland Baker.

I cannot post the entire article, but it is entitled Finding Hope in Our Hurts and begins thus (I am going to divide her paragraphs to simplify for forum reading)...

"For the child of God, everything in life must fit God's design and pattern. There is not a day that passes when God is not in control.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews wrote it so beautifully when he said that God laid the foundation of the world from the beginning and He created the heavens and the earth with His hands.

The writer also said that even though creation passes away, God will remain forever (Hebrews 1:10-12).

We can be sure that when everything fits according to God's design and pattern, our lives will not come to failure. Our understanding of success or failure is not the way God views it, because our focus is on the present and God sees the future."

This is so inspiring to me...I will post one more segment and pray that it blesses others as it has me...

"God not only created the universe, He controls the universe. Not only does God control the universe, He is in control of our lives.

That is why when we do not understand our circumstances, we must look toward heaven to find hope.

In the times of frustration and disappointment, our faith will be the pivotal point in our lives, turning us toward the purpose of God or away from His will."

[Barb]

Another excerpt from this beautiful article...again, I will divide Sis. Baker's paragraphs to simplify for forum reading...

"Absalom rebelled against his father, David, intending to take the throne. Refusing to fight his own son, David abdicated.

Not only were David's enemies against him, but his servants, the mighty men of his army, and even those of his own household rose up against him. David became extremely ill and experienced great suffering.

During this time, David reminded God that "my times are in thy hand" (Psalm 31:15). R.K. Harrison's translation from the Hebrew reads, "My destiny is under your control.

How can anyone question the sovereign will of God who designs our future, even when it is against our will? During times of suffering, we can find hope in our hurting and despair."

If anyone has a chance to read this in it's entirety, I highly recommend it. And if anyone ever has an opportunity to speak with Sis. Baker one on one, you will walk away refreshed and blessed...she is an awesome lady!!

[Felicity]

Theresa Baker is a beautiful person.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Theresa Baker is a beautiful person.

Yes she is...I am honored to know her...

[Margies3]

Barb, I like this article. It is very comforting.

On the other hand, I guess it still leaves me with a question:

My friend called me last night very upset because her husband decided he wants out of their marriage. There has been no physical infedility in this case. He had, however, been carrying on an 'email relationship' with my friend's best friend for quite a while. My friend was willing to forgive him because she believes (and I agree) that when you speak your marriage vows, they are a promise to GOD as much as they are to the one you are marrying. So the ball was completely in her husband's court as to whether this worked out or not.

So now my question - what I am reading in this article is that GOD IS IN CONTROL. Is she saying that nothing happens that God did not allow? Or is she saying that anything that happens, happened because God caused it? (two different things there). Because if this marriage breaking up is because this is somehow part of God's whole great big design for Terri's life, then that will be a very tough pill for her to swallow.

Whatcha think??? I wanted to send this article to her, but I'm hesitant...........

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Barb, I like this article. It is very comforting.

On the other hand, I guess it still leaves me with a question:

My friend called me last night very upset because her husband decided he wants out of their marriage. There has been no physical infedility in this case. He had, however, been carrying on an 'email relationship' with my friend's best friend for quite a while. My friend was willing to forgive him because she believes (and I agree) that when you speak your marriage vows, they are a promise to GOD as much as they are to the one you are marrying. So the ball was completely in her husband's court as to whether this worked out or not.

So now my question - what I am reading in this article is that GOD IS IN CONTROL. Is she saying that nothing happens that God did not allow? Or is she saying that anything that happens, happened because God caused it? (two different things there). Because if this marriage breaking up is because this is somehow part of God's whole great big design for Terri's life, then that will be a very tough pill for her to swallow.

Whatcha think??? I wanted to send this article to her, but I'm hesitant...........

No, Margie...Sis. B continues the article by speaking about the illness and death of her sister, Gail, and how the hand of God can be seen and felt even in life and death situations.

Our destiny is in His hands and nothing gets past His knowing or awareness. Certainly God can stop any situation from happening...He is God! But to say that God causes these things to happen is not the God I know. He is about wholeness, not brokenness. His will is the home and family, not confusion.

What I received from this article is that even in the most trying circimstances of our lives...during those times of utter disappointment and distress and hurt, God is in control. He promised to never leave us or forsake us and desires to set the crooked path straight, mending hearts and binding wounds.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing...I will pray for your friend, and for you as you minister to her.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by Barb

No, Margie...Sis. B continues the article by speaking about the illness and death of her sister, Gail, and how the hand of God can be seen and felt even in life and death situations.

Our destiny is in His hands and nothing gets past His knowing or awareness. Certainly God can stop any situation from happening...He is God! But to say that God causes these things to happen is not the God I know. He is about wholeness, not brokenness. His will is the home and family, not confusion.

What I received from this article is that even in the most trying circimstances of our lives...during those times of utter disappointment and distress and hurt, God is in control. He promised to never leave us or forsake us and desires to set the crooked path straight, mending hearts and binding wounds.

Forgiveness is a powerful thing...I will pray for your friend, and for you as you minister to her.

Thanks, Barb. I appreciate these words. I agree. God IS a God of wholeness and not brokenness. That's why things like a divorce are so painful. But one thing Terri has expressed to me is that she is learning thru this that whatever else happens God is faithful.

I appreciate your prayers for my friend (and for me as I minister to her). I'm convinced that God is not finished working with this situation. When her husband packed his things to leave, he took his clothes and his BIBLE. He travels for work all the time, being gone sometimes for weeks at a time, and has never taken his Bible with him when he's packed up to go before. So I think that might be an encouraging sign. If Jim took his Bible and will read it, God will guide him. Pray that God speaks to Jim's heart.

I have to honor my friend who is in the midst of all of this. She said to me yesterday that the one thing she has made up her mind to is that no matter what else happens, whether Jim leaves or stays, whether her best friend every speaks to her again or not, - her goal is that at the end of the day, she will be able to stand before God and hear Him say, "I am pleased with how you handled things today."

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Thanks, Barb. I appreciate these words. I agree. God IS a God of wholeness and not brokenness. That's why things like a divorce are so painful. But one thing Terri has expressed to me is that she is learning thru this that whatever else happens God is faithful.

I appreciate your prayers for my friend (and for me as I minister to her). I'm convinced that God is not finished working with this situation. When her husband packed his things to leave, he took his clothes and his BIBLE. He travels for work all the time, being gone sometimes for weeks at a time, and has never taken his Bible with him when he's packed up to go before. So I think that might be an encouraging sign. If Jim took his Bible and will read it, God will guide him. Pray that God speaks to Jim's heart.

I have to honor my friend who is in the midst of all of this. She said to me yesterday that the one thing she has made up her mind to is that no matter what else happens, whether Jim leaves or stays, whether her best friend every speaks to her again or not, - her goal is that at the end of the day, she will be able to stand before God and hear Him say, "I am pleased with how you handled things today."

That is all we can really seek to have...at the end of the day, having God pleased with us.

I want to please Him in every area...not just with how I handle my life's issues, but how I handle yours. That is an interesting thought, eh?!

Margie, please allow me to share one more thing here...there is another article in this issue of PH written by Bro. Tim Milligan from Menphis. He writes...

"Society's fatalistic minset of "three strikes and your out" is an opportunity for the Church to remind the disappointed that their failures are not final. Society's philosophy is to dispose while the philosophy of the Church is to recycle."

I love this!!

I work with two couples whose marriages are over because one partner blew it. They have left no room for recycling, rekindling, restoring...the mind-set is disposal of the marriage.

Let us pray for God to bless the hearts of Jim and Terri to seek God's way and not their own...

[Margies3]

Barb,

Terri and I had a very long talk this afternoon. I shared with her that you are also praying for her and Jim. She asked me to express to you how grateful she is for that.

This has been a very hard thing for many involved. Unfortunately, it is not just between Terri and Jim. There is another marriage in our church that is also probably over because of what went on between Jim and the other wife (nothing physical - yet!). As far as the other couple goes, she was the president of our Women's Society and he was the president of the Men's Group. So you see, the far-reaching effects of some very bad choices by a couple of people It's all just so sad.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Margies3

Barb,

Terri and I had a very long talk this afternoon. I shared with her that you are also praying for her and Jim. She asked me to express to you how grateful she is for that.

This has been a very hard thing for many involved. Unfortunately, it is not just between Terri and Jim. There is another marriage in our church that is also probably over because of what went on between Jim and the other wife (nothing physical - yet!). As far as the other couple goes, she was the president of our Women's Society and he was the president of the Men's Group. So you see, the far-reaching effects of some very bad choices by a couple of people It's all just so sad.

I stand confident that God is in control and desires to work this for the good of all...hang in there with her, Terri...