"I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57: 1bI've been thinking about how disastrous some of the things that are happening in the world today can be, how troubling some of our government's actions have been lately, and how important it is for those of us with faith to take refuge..........then I saw this picture. I hope you find the scripture and the picture as reassuring and sweet as we did. There are days I'd like to climb in under that wing myself. And then I do. And does it ever help.
HAPPY Sunday to you!
Mr and Mrs Z
25 comments:
Psalms 57: "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed"
Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind.
— Aristotle
Nice post. Reminds me of how the Polish were able to fight communism with Solidarnosc. As I said, I'm not a church-goer but everything that is happening right now makes me think about joining a church.
You can choose your church but not your government. Especially when 2 parties are both Statist, corrupted parties.
Happy Sunday
"I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." Psalm 57: 1b
Amen!
There are days, especially since January, when I find myself needing refuge. Thank you for reminding me that it is always there.
I Peter 5:7
"Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you", is my favorite verse from the Bible.
Thank you for this GREAT reminder. If I didn't believe with all my heart that God is in complete control of this mess, I really don't know what I would be doing these days. Everything that we see happening around us has been foretold. The news only reinforces my faith! For anybody reading this that wants to know how it all ends, just read the Book!
Even though I know these things must come to pass, it STILL infuriates me as to how our "elected officials" are treating us. As I say often at work, "it is the PRINCIPLE of the thing!"
What a lovely picture of what our Father does for us. We may think our world is out of control, but He knows what is going on!
I'd like to comment on Jess' comment. Why do parents worry about what to feed their kids, who to play with, which school to go to, which DR is the right one, etc, but then let them 'flounder' in which way to lead them to God? That just doesn't make sense to me. Our eternal life is so much more important the this temporal life.
2Cr 4:18 — While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Thank you for this post and picture, hon. I love it! I snagged it for a desktop. Beautiful! :)
thanks, psi bond, for that reminder. Aristotle's sounds so cold and self-reliant compared to taking refuge in God, doesn't it? "bear great calamities with cheerfulness ....and greatness of mind." it really does beautifully illustrate the reason we go to God; the gift of putting our problems with Him is invaluable.
Attitude is everything.....thank GOD, we can seek strength for that attitude in refuge in Him.
FrogBurger, I'm sorry so many churches have been driven left or even perilously close to being closed due to the economy. Were I you, I'd find a Bible study, that's what helped me, not reading on my own, playing Bible Bingo, etc etc! However, when you move, I'll tell you of a very dignified, thriving church you might want to just visit and see...gorgeous inside, too. (By the way, some feel that "everything that is happening right now" is happening SO people will join churches more and more)
Jess, find a Community Bible Study or Bible STudy Fellowship...your life will be changed for the better. I can't tell you how many women I know say that. I'll be hoping you can give up your worries soon.....the worries are usually still there but He helps us THROUGH them...
I have doubts too, by the way...believe me. But, they're much less and less lately.
Here's one that helps me:
"Have no fear for I am with you...
Do not be dismayed for I am your God..
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
and
"For I and the Lord tour God, who holds your right hand and says to you 'Fear not, I will help you". Both from Isaiah 41.
Check out Psalm 34. Then read John in the New Testament! It can't hurt :-)
They really help....try memorizing the top one...xx I wish I knew more and was more solid in my own faith, but I envy you your search if you do it with an open heart and with people who know enough to help you in your hometown..
cube; exactly
Sue, I couldn't agree more. It IS the principle of the thing.
Linda, some of my friends have made the choice of not giving their kids faith ("let them pick that when they're old enough") and I believe they've all regretted it. My viewpoint, too, is it's better having them grow up with something bigger than they are, learn that concept, and if they want to change as adults, fine; at least they had that as children.
RaDena, Mr. Z found that picture...so so beautiful and sweet and comforting!
I love that picture, and your blog as well
Z that was just beautiful. Thank you so much for planting a smile on my face. :-) You did it!
That is such a precious photo, Mr. Z and such a lovely and inspiring sentiment, as always, Lady Z - :)
Psalm 121:5-8
(A Song of Ascents)
"... The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Blessings to you both ~ ~ x x
Genesis 2:2-3
2And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
good reminder Z.HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND HUN!:)
good post z!!! how we all seem to want to be wraped in the blanket of security!!!... that though is one of the reasons i love being a dad, because i get to wrap my daughter with love!!
Z,
Thanks for the reminder. Under God's wing is the only true place of refuge.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
Thanks, everybody.
Pat, just do NOT spoil her :-)
I see so many dads who get spoken to so badly by their girls and if I'd done that, my own dead dad would have gone ballistic! But all he had to do was give us "the look" and he'd NEVER hit us ONCE in our lives. We just loved and respected him that much.
Sorry for the lecture after reading such a lovely thing from you...I'm so sensitive because I see such smart mouthed little missies...and they're ruined for life. I know your adorable tennis player isn't like that, just had to vent!:-) Sounds like you guys all have great fun at home and I LOVE to hear it at your site!
David, you can say that again. With what you go through, you're my hero, dear man
Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind.
— Aristotle
Z: thanks, psi bond, for that reminder. Aristotle's sounds so cold and self-reliant compared to taking refuge in God, doesn't it? "bear great calamities with cheerfulness ....and [through] greatness of mind." it really does beautifully illustrate the reason we go to God; the gift of putting our problems with Him is invaluable.
Everyone may take refuge where he chooses, of course. I find taking refuge in oneself to be more reassuring, a reaffirmation of one's inner strength, as it were. Moreover, it exercises self-reliance, a virtue politicized and lauded by rightwingers. Aristotle's cited words do not illustrate the reason many "go to God", since that necessitates an emotional faith and trust in a putative entity greater than oneself.
Attitude is everything.....thank GOD, we can seek strength for that attitude in refuge in Him.
Surely, attitude is fundamental----thank God, not everyone is required to profess dependence on someone's God, for the mind by itself makes one happy or miserable.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I should elaborate on why you're ignoramus.
Self-reliance doesn't mean not asking for help from the community or leaving on your own. Which is different from being imposed something by the government with a different agenda as individual needs.
If you're lauding self-reliance too, then why do you ask for more government?
You should join us.
I guess you must not be self-reliant. That's why you want the gov to make everybody miserable.
See rightwingers or mobsters like us rely on family, friends or faith to be self-reliant. Not the fascistic State you love so much.
Because history has proven the State is much more likely to let you down to drive its own agenda.
Just checking in, Z, to tell you that I love the picture and the
post.
It was just what I needed today.
Thank you! God Bless.
Matisse
psi bond, I got your Aristotle quote and what you were trying to say without the explanation, thanks, anyway.
I'm so glad you find yourself such a solace.
I remember that feeling. I don't miss it.
FrogBurger, very good points.
Matisse, thanks. You can imagine I needed it, too.
Frog: You are officially an idiot, psychotic bond.
What are your official credentials, Frog, for making this convenient cyber-psychoanalysis?
One lacks self-reliance in serious debate who relies on pejorative epithets to bully an opponent.
Who wants more government? You or us?
Senior citizens do not want to lose the health care that they enjoy in the government's Medicare program. Nor do veterans want to lose theirs. Frightened by the hyped prospect of losing it, they become angry and disruptive, which behavior is subsequently hyped in rightwing media.
Ignoramus
You are not an ignoramus, Frog, just ignorant of civil discourse.
I should elaborate on why you're ignoramus.
That's not necessary, but you are welcome to try to extricate yourself.
In any case, it's clear that, because I have a different view and because you are unable to articulate in a civil manner the reasoning of your view, you need to rely on pejorative epithets to argue your point.
Self-reliance doesn't mean not asking for help from the community or leaving on your own. Which is different from being imposed something by the government with a different agenda as individual needs.
According to your view, community assistance does not affect self-reliance, but the same from the government does.
So, self-reliance doesn't mean not asking for help from God? That is the issue here, Frog, not the community.
I don't know of any government plan that expands health care access that robs the individual of choice in what health care he will accept.
If you're lauding self-reliance too, then why do you ask for more government?
Better government programs are unrelated to self-reliance in one's personal or spiritual life.
You should join us.
I join you insofar as endorsing self-reliance in spiritual and personal life.
I guess you must not be self-reliant. That's why you want the gov to make everybody miserable.
I guess you're angry and cannot think straight. I am not the oppressor. You do it to yourself.
See rightwingers or mobsters like us rely on family, friends or faith to be self-reliant.
It takes a village? That is what Hillary said and she was pilloried for it by the right. Unfortunately, some Americans have no family or friends they can rely on. Would you recommend to a friend who has lost his home through some act of God that he rely on financial assistance or loans from friends or family and refuse a FEMA grant?
Not the fascistic State you love so much.
It seems drowning out opposing views is a fascist tactic rightwingers love so much.
Because history has proven the State is much more likely to let you down to drive its own agenda.
Your reading of history, perhaps. The Social Security system, Medicare, unemployment insurance, FEMA, the G. I. Bill of Rights for WWII veterans, help for small businesses, and the Marshall Plan are some of the most successful government programs made in America. Everyone has benefited from them, including now proudly self-reliant people.
Abolishing government is not the answer.
Lying about what government does is not the answer.
Supporting warrantless government searches while opposing humanitarian government programs is certainly not the answer.
psi bond, I got your Aristotle quote and what you were trying to say without the explanation, thanks, anyway.
It doesn't seem that you got it, Z----your mangled rendition of the Aristotle quote misleads you to believe that it proves you gloriously right.
I'm so glad you find yourself such a solace.
Inner strength of mind may serve as a comfort to some.
I remember that feeling. I don't miss it.
Spiritual self-reliance is not a path that everyone can take.
"I don't know of any government plan that expands health care access that robs the individual of choice in what health care he will accept."
Read the plan, psi bond. This showed you're not paying attention. Thanks.
"I don't know of any government plan that expands health care access that robs the individual of choice in what health care he will accept."
Read the plan, psi bond. This showed you're not paying attention. Thanks.
Which plan? The health care debate can be improved enormously if people will get specific instead of just screaming grand edicts like "Read the plan", pretending their reading of a plan is wholly obvious. Try to be specific. Specificity clarifies readings. Thanks.
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