Comments on: THE CORDS OF DEATH ENTANGLED ME http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:17:37 +0000 hourly 1 By: Susan http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1603 Susan Sun, 10 Jan 2010 09:05:41 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1603 Question #6. The hymn says, "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul." It struck me that saying "it is well..." no matter our circumstances does not come naturally, we need to be taught to respond the right way. And our teacher is God! Question #6.

The hymn says, “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.” It struck me that saying “it is well…” no matter our circumstances does not come naturally, we need to be taught to respond the right way. And our teacher is God!

]]> By: Fellowsojourner http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1510 Fellowsojourner Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:52:16 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1510 Hi Journeyvision!!! I was so glad to see you here!! - even if it is only through the eyes of the internet! =) I love that you are participating and following along - what great thoughts from these ladies!! He does know when we are weary and tired journeyvision and He does come to our rescue journeyvision - if we call on him!! =) I love what Belinda said on the next blog - so encouraging! Check it out journeyvision - I so appreciated that, I hope you will too! Glad to be walking with you journeyvision! FS Hi Journeyvision!!! I was so glad to see you here!! – even if it is only through the eyes of the internet! =)
I love that you are participating and following along – what great thoughts from these ladies!! He does know when we are weary and tired journeyvision and He does come to our rescue journeyvision – if we call on him!! =) I love what Belinda said on the next blog – so encouraging! Check it out journeyvision – I so appreciated that, I hope you will too! Glad to be walking with you journeyvision!
FS

]]> By: Darlene Geiger http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1416 Darlene Geiger Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:17:39 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1416 Dear Dee - I must be doing something wrong--none of my responses are coming up along with the others -- I'm going to send you an email. Please help. Dar Dear Dee – I must be doing something wrong–none of my responses are coming up along with the others — I’m going to send you an email.

Please help. Dar

]]> By: journeyvision http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1410 journeyvision Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:10:06 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1410 hi fellowsojourner, actually the analogy that you used about drowning is the most terrifying thing i can imagine anyone ever going through.its like when troubles are beating and beating against you and you cannot come up for air at all. there is no let up and you cannot even tread water because you are so weary and tired. and then having the lord rescue you right in the midst of it is awesome. hi fellowsojourner,
actually the analogy that you used about drowning is the most terrifying thing i can imagine anyone ever going through.its like when troubles are beating and beating against you and you cannot come up for air at all. there is no let up and you cannot even tread water because you are so weary and tired. and then having the lord rescue you right in the midst of it is awesome.

]]> By: journeyvision http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1409 journeyvision Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:57 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1409 I am bringing up the rear as usual: 1. Meditate on Psalm 18:1-6. What images does the psalmist use in verses 4 and 5 to convey his distress? Can you identify for yourself personally or someone you love? cords of death, of sheol, entangling him - yes i can identify. it is an awful feeling of being in quicksand, of sinking knowing daylight is far away, seeing the daylight, but not being able to reach it, slipping away. 2. In The God of All Comfort, on the opening two pages, how do my journal entries reflect the feeling of Psalm 18:4-5? i think in the way you describe what thoughts were going through your mind and the mind of your daughters, the shock, the initial shock of it all, and the deep pain. What thoughts do you have about these entries? 3. Behind the psalmist in all the psalms of lament, if you look hard enough, you can see Jesus. How do you see Jesus in Psalm 18:1-6? i guess in the way he died and paid for our sins dying on the cross, and death being like a cord around his neck, being on the cross and tasting death for all of us. 4. What does it mean to you that Jesus understands this kind of engulfing fear and pain? It means alot that he can understand, he is someone who I can go to and pour out my heart to. 5. I spoke at a retreat right after I learned of my husband’s cancer and Kim Hill led us in “It Is Well With My Soul.” I was crying as I sang it and had the fleeting thought of trying to be a better witness. Why was that a false thought? because you were going to be like not honest with your feelings. you would tried to bury what you felt so people wouldnt see that you were hurting. and then they would not have seen how god could be your comfort. 6. Memorize the first verse of It Is Well With My Soul and write down any reflections on it. the only thing that comes to me is the state of the soul in this first verse. "it is well with my soul". it says that no matter what comes, that the soul at peace is a well soul. without that peace, we don't make it. 7. Is there a key insight, question, or reflection you’d like to share with others on the blog? Then please do! I ve just experienced that peace a few weeks ago. I comment on it because I had never understood nor experienced the peace of God like that. There is a freedom in that peace that you know that everything is going to be alright 8. Respond to your sisters’ thoughts. I am bringing up the rear as usual:
1. Meditate on Psalm 18:1-6. What images does the psalmist use in verses 4 and 5 to convey his distress? Can you identify for yourself personally or someone you love? cords of death, of sheol, entangling him – yes i can identify. it is an awful feeling of being in quicksand, of sinking knowing daylight is far away, seeing the daylight, but not being able to reach it, slipping away.

2. In The God of All Comfort, on the opening two pages, how do my journal entries reflect the feeling of Psalm 18:4-5? i think in the way you describe what thoughts were going through your mind and the mind of your daughters, the shock, the initial shock of it all, and the deep pain.

What thoughts do you have about these entries?

3. Behind the psalmist in all the psalms of lament, if you look hard enough, you can see Jesus. How do you see Jesus in Psalm 18:1-6? i guess in the way he died and paid for our sins dying on the cross, and death being like a cord around his neck, being on the cross and tasting death for all of us.

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus understands this kind of engulfing fear and pain? It means alot that he can understand, he is someone who I can go to and pour out my heart to.

5. I spoke at a retreat right after I learned of my husband’s cancer and Kim Hill led us in “It Is Well With My Soul.” I was crying as I sang it and had the fleeting thought of trying to be a better witness. Why was that a false thought?
because you were going to be like not honest with your feelings. you would tried to bury what you felt so people wouldnt see that you were hurting. and then they would not have seen how god could be your comfort.

6. Memorize the first verse of It Is Well With My Soul and write down any reflections on it. the only thing that comes to me is the state of the soul in this first verse. “it is well with my soul”. it says that no matter what comes, that the soul at peace is a well soul. without that peace, we don’t make it.

7. Is there a key insight, question, or reflection you’d like to share with others on the blog? Then please do!
I ve just experienced that peace a few weeks ago. I comment on it because I had never understood nor experienced the peace of God like that. There is a freedom in that peace that you know that everything is going to be alright
8. Respond to your sisters’ thoughts.

]]> By: Sharon Felker http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1400 Sharon Felker Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:31:01 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1400 Dee: This is a first time on line study that I have done. I am a little computer illiterate but with my daughters help I think I understand the process now. I have enjoyed the comments from those who have responded. I am more of one to share one on one, face to face, so this will be a stretch for me. My understanding is that we just share something that might have really stood out in our study that day. So with that thought in mind I will try and share my thoughts. I too, share similar thoughts in regards to question 5. When I have found myself hurting I have thoughts of 'I have to be a good witness'. But with time I have learned that this is definitly not a true feeling at that moment in time. But God understands my motive, and I just have to be honest before a Holy God. He knows my heart, that I want to be obedient to Him in responding before Him, but more important than that He wants my honesty before Him. It is not necessary to be something different than what I truly am feeling. We witness many times to others through our tears and just being human. Thank you Dee for the time you have put in on this study, I am really looking forward to it. It will be fun to see what God brings through each of the participating people in the study. Really appreciate your comments. Be seeing you on line. Dee: This is a first time on line study that I have done. I am a little computer illiterate but with my daughters help I think I understand the process now. I have enjoyed the comments from those who have responded. I am more of one to share one on one, face to face, so this will be a stretch for me. My understanding is that we just share something that might have really stood out in our study that day. So with that thought in mind I will try and share my thoughts. I too, share similar thoughts in regards to question 5. When I have found myself hurting I have thoughts of ‘I have to be a good witness’. But with time I have learned that this is definitly not a true feeling at that moment in time. But God understands my motive, and I just have to be honest before a Holy God. He knows my heart, that I want to be obedient to Him in responding before Him, but more important than that He wants my honesty before Him. It is not necessary to be something different than what I truly am feeling. We witness many times to others through our tears and just being human.
Thank you Dee for the time you have put in on this study, I am really looking forward to it. It will be fun to see what God brings through each of the participating people in the study. Really appreciate your comments. Be seeing you on line.

]]> By: Dee Brestin http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1395 Dee Brestin Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:52:50 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1395 Each of you -- thank you. You have begun well! Teri -- your question about if grief can go on too long is a good one. It's one we each have to come before God with -- if someone else directs it to us we want to give them a swift karate kick! To me the key is if we are being proactive about getting through the river of grief -- and each who has come on this journey of going through The God of All Comfort is evidencing that they want to be proactive. Angela (and I realize there are two Angela's -- both dear -- but I'm directing this to the Angela who just wrote -- so glad to have you too! I love how you intentionally answer each question thoughtfully. As an internet discussion leader I realize, as in a smaller group of women, I need to help women get back on track -- and you've helped us do that. (Not that the tangents haven't been intriguing and good!) I love it that some of you are opting to do The God of All Comfort in small groups this January. I think we are ready to go on! Come, continue as well as you have begun, and invite others! Keep praying please, for His quickening on each of us. Each of you — thank you. You have begun well!

Teri — your question about if grief can go on too long is a good one. It’s one we each have to come before God with — if someone else directs it to us we want to give them a swift karate kick! To me the key is if we are being proactive about getting through the river of grief — and each who has come on this journey of going through The God of All Comfort is evidencing that they want to be proactive.

Angela (and I realize there are two Angela’s — both dear — but I’m directing this to the Angela who just wrote — so glad to have you too! I love how you intentionally answer each question thoughtfully. As an internet discussion leader I realize, as in a smaller group of women, I need to help women get back on track — and you’ve helped us do that. (Not that the tangents haven’t been intriguing and good!)

I love it that some of you are opting to do The God of All Comfort in small groups this January.

I think we are ready to go on!

Come, continue as well as you have begun, and invite others! Keep praying please, for His quickening on each of us.

]]> By: Janet H. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1394 Janet H. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:44:04 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1394 Teri, this is one of the reasons I loved the book, The Shack. "Father God" is presented as a woman, not a man. So many people have experiences that do not lead them to associating "father" with "love". Seeing God as Mother might be easier in that case. Teri, this is one of the reasons I loved the book, The Shack. “Father God” is presented as a woman, not a man. So many people have experiences that do not lead them to associating “father” with “love”. Seeing God as Mother might be easier in that case.

]]> By: Janet H. http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1393 Janet H. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:32:07 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1393 Thank you, Angela. I try to reinforce the belief that God puts you where He needs you to do the work for His kingdom. He's trying to believe that. Thank you, Angela. I try to reinforce the belief that God puts you where He needs you to do the work for His kingdom. He’s trying to believe that.

]]> By: Angela http://www.deebrestin.com/2010/01/the-cords-of-death-entangled-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1392 Angela Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:27:01 +0000 http://www.deebrestin.com/?p=1598#comment-1392 Teri It is true that it is a choice to do the right thing. A choice to chose Christ over other things even when we do not feel like it. But just from my personal story of walking through a valley of depression because of great rejection I can tell you that it is not that easy sometimes. I used to think people can just chose to get over things until I walked this. I was suffocating and could not get myself out. I had fallen into a pit that I remained in for quite a while. I did not understand why my Bible reading and prayer would not get me out of it. I just had to walk it out the way it was and pray God would have mercy on me in it. One day He did draw me out but it was a long and hard process. Just my thoughts. Hope that helps some. :) Much love, Angela Teri
It is true that it is a choice to do the right thing. A choice to chose Christ over other things even when we do not feel like it. But just from my personal story of walking through a valley of depression because of great rejection I can tell you that it is not that easy sometimes. I used to think people can just chose to get over things until I walked this. I was suffocating and could not get myself out. I had fallen into a pit that I remained in for quite a while. I did not understand why my Bible reading and prayer would not get me out of it. I just had to walk it out the way it was and pray God would have mercy on me in it. One day He did draw me out but it was a long and hard process. Just my thoughts. Hope that helps some. :)
Much love,
Angela

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