I am beginning to enjoy learning some of the old hymns of the church. I did not go to church growing up so I am not real familiar with many hymns. Meditating on “It is Well with my Soul” this morning, I thought about the line, “though satan should buffet” and looked up the word “buffet” in the dictionary. It said “to hit with the hand or fist, to slap or punch. To beat back as by repeated blows. To struggle against.” How satan does try to beat us back by repeated blows and struggle against us growing closer to Jesus, and the image of a person just holding up his hands, trying to ward off the blows and protect himself from the assault, then the next line of the hymm, that we have this blessed assurance that Christ sees our helpless estate and comes to the rescue and does for us what we are helpless to do!

Thinking out loud about Bonhoeffer’s comment, waking up in Gethsemane. Was it the actual suffering or the dread of it that Jesus suffered in the garden. It could have been the suffering because we really know nothing of Christ’s true suffering. Iv’e heard of many cases of mental and emotional anguish causing physical illness but never causing bleeding through the pores of the skin. That seems to be unique to Christ in Gethsemane. We can imagine the physical pain of the cross but I think there was much more.

Janet, I agree with you when you say you lack the courage to surrender completely. It is a solemn thing, reminding me of the video about silence and not speaking rashly. It may be something in which He leads. I see His glory as I look back to things in my life that I never would have chosen but which He was enough for me and I got through them. For you, He carried your son from the edge of death to true life in knowing Christ, but how great was your suffering in the process. Thinking about how our tears are precious to Him, something about collecting them in a bottle. This was the thought that came to me after I had brain surgery. The whole axis of my world shifted after that affecting so many people and especially my family. Afterward, when I looked back on the devastation, God showed me something that I can’t quite put into words but I will try. Not only is our suffering precious(in the sense of describing a jewel) in His sight but there is power in it. Spiritual power. I don’t have a clue how He uses it but I know He does and will.

Another thing happened during that time. There was a root of sin in my heart that grew and bore fruit. That sin was selfishness. It’s horrible and deep and ugly. At least now I can see it a little better and have some small victories over it.

Sorry if I am rambling. I’m trying to connect the dots.

Praying for the Lord to fill you with trust and peace…

If all I ever do is “pour out my heart” to the Lord, my faith is never built up and I can easily be persuaded to believe that what I am pouring out to Him is truth.

Some of you wrote out Scriptures — so good. One you is praying a little chart through the Psalms.

Several strong testimonies.

And we’re hearing from some who have been silent.

A beautiful patchwork quilt.

Thanks for your kind comments on The God of All Comfort. Leaving this morning for Chicago — please pray for that broadcast and our tapings the next day.

Let’s go on!