“Frustration” defines a “deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.” Websters James A. Pike in his book “Beyond Anxiety” writes, “…it is wrong to assume, as we sometimes do, sympathetically, that cripples are persons of inspiring character. Some are and some aren’t; some are serene and towers of strength to others; some are crotchety, and a spiritual, no less than a material burden on others.” Thus we cannot make a direct correlation between limitation and frustration. Frustration does not come from having limitations, it comes from a wrong spiritual orientation to one’s limitations.” With our limitations, “some will piously say, it is the will of God and I must bear it.” But this resignation, “…cuts the nerve of thoughtful and strenuous action to change the situation insofar as is humanly possible.” Also, “…it is the expression of, or foundation of a…
Healing at the Cross Posts
“. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:1-3 Many say, “there is no help in God?” Then where? First thought — we need help. Help Lord! Long ago we have realized impotence, powerlessness in the fight for our think-ability. Our vulnerability apparent, our value diminished, our head bowed, we have battled on the opponent’s home field. In that venue, one where will power and natural strength matter most, we fight a losing battle. The common phrase war of attrition refers to a sustained effort to steadily wear down the defenses of an opponent, with the result that they are rendered weaker and less effective. From this sense…
Because our God authored Mercy, He has the authority to visit individuals, regardless of their dire circumstances or foolish actions. Mercy in the courtroom equals a judgment of pardon. As a policy however, mercy allows such a freedom of action that it beckons a person to the very seat of God, to surrender to mercy’s reality, in spite of shame or guilt, in order to commune with Him, face to face. “there is a God, there always has been. I see him here, in the eyes of the people in this hospital corridor of desperation. This is the real house of God, this is where those who have lost God will find Him… there is a God, there has to be, and now I will pray, I will pray that He will forgive that I have neglected Him all of these years, forgive that I have betrayed, lied, and sinned…
2Thessalonians 3:13 exhorts, ” But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”. So also Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ” Weariness, frankly, comes under the category of “be not.” We should never allow weariness to eliminate our well doing. Why? Fyodor Dostoyevsky describes the practice of weariness in his famous work “The Brothers Karamazov.” In the chapter on “The Grand Inquisitor” Jesus Himself appears in 15th century Spain — a time when heretics were being burned at the stake. A small coffin is placed before Him, and a cry of parents to raise a child who had died. Jesus complies and the child comes back to life. However strangely, The Christ is arrested and incarcerated. As the story goes and I add my own interpretation, the appearance of the Christ and the resurgence of life-…
Colossians 2:9-10 teaches, “For in him (Christ), dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. ‘ A difficult passage, what does it mean for us? John Gill explains the theology of it: “the manner in which fullness dwells in Christ, is “bodily”; not by power, as in the universe, nor by grace, as in the saints, nor by any glorious emanations of it, as in heaven, nor by gifts, as in the prophets and eminent men of God, nor by signs symbols, and shadows, as in the tabernacle and temple, but, essentially and personally, or by personal union of the divine nature, as subsisting in the Son of God to an human body, chosen and prepared for that purpose. In addition Christ has: a reasonable human soul; which is the great mystery of godliness, the glory of the Christian religion, and what qualified Christ for, and recommends him…
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:” Matthew 6:9-13 Vital to our lives brothers and sisters, we must pray for God’s will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Where to be found, this will? Matthew 7:25 explains: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Others built on sand. In each case, “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house.” The rock foundation stood but the sandy one fell.…
A story recalled from Bergen-Belsen — a prisoner “strikes up a friendship with a doctor named Marie. The two are talking one day when a Polish prisoner comes to Marie for help. She is not sick — she is about to give birth. At first Fania and Marie panic, but then they collect themselves and have the woman lie down on a table. Silence is imperative, so the woman, ‘teeth clenched,’ uttered not a word. She knew the fate of children at the hands of the SS. Fortunately, the child arrives quickly, There are no scissors, Marie cuts the cord with her teeth. There is no water, Fania rips the lining out of her coat, fashions a crude version of swaddling clothes, and wraps up the baby, still covered with blood. The woman, who has not yet said a word” — dresses, puts on her shoes, and takes her child…
“And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may…
“Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 2Chronicles 20:15 and 17 Jehoshaphat received news of– “a great multitude against him from beyond the sea on this side Syria.” With this he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. The enemy were those given segments of land by God Himself; Moab, Ammon and some from the land beyond them. We must remind ourselves of our enemies afar off but also of those living close by. Both are to be handled by God; it is for God to do battle,…
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4 “…advances in technology have provided both the blessing of a more informed public and the curse of a misinformed one — men and women who are sure they know the truth because of what they have seen or been told on social media.” “The advantage of a free press is diminished when anyone can claim to be an objective journalist, and then disseminate narratives conjured out of thin air to make others believe rubbish.” “Each year, more states employ squads of opinion shapers to flood online sites. Extremist political movements … Engage in the same practice.” “These troublemakers can generate products that can show people… doing things they didn’t do, and saying things they never said…” …