THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS FALL INTO THE SEA

a-mighty-fortress1Psalm 46 not only inspired Be Still My Soul, but, amazingly, Martin Luther’s A Mighty Fortress is Our God, a song all about spiritual warfare. Martin Luther would often say to his melancholy and frightened friend, Philip Melanchthon, “Come Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth.” They certainly faced a frightening battle, but because of their trust in God, were used by Him to lead the Reformation. Thank God.

Shortly after Steve’s diagnosis, our daughter Sally told him she wanted to sing a hymn for him in church that Sunday. He requested A Mighty Fortress, for God had told him to fight. (We didn’t understand what our true battle was yet, but we did know we were in a battle.)

What happened that Sunday I will never forget. This is from The God of All Comfort.

Sunday, August 17th

Two weeks after Steve’s diagnosis

Sally sang “A Mighty Fortress” in church this morning. Annie and Beth on one side of Steve, pressed into him, and me on the other, John in the pew behind him with his hand on Steve’s shoulder. Sally sang it as a fighting song — I’d never heard it sung that way — I don’t think I’d really understood it before. I’ve heard it sung majestically, but never with righteous anger. Yet, it seemed so right. It is a call to battle against Satan and all the spiritual workers of darkness.  Sally kept shaking her fist at Satan, at “the prince of darkness grim,” at the one “armed with cruel hate,” at the one who must not “this battle win.” Each verse grew stronger, and our hearts found courage for the fight ahead.

But when Sally got to the phrase “let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also,” she looked at Steve and faltered. It was too much for her, and she stopped, paralyzed with grief. Suddenly — and I will never in all my life forget this — Judy (the pianist) began to sing, then the congregation rose — standing in the gap for us, finishing Sally’s song for her. They are with us.

THE QUESTIONS (Take one or two a day or all at once.)

1.  Take Psalm 46 slowly:

A. What do you learn about life and about God from verses 1-3?

B. What is “the city of our Lord?” Who is she, and what do you learn about her from verses 4-6?

C. (Challenge question!) Why do you think that in this context God is called “The God of Jacob?” What lie does this title defeat?

2. Comment on the above story in this post from The God of All Comfort? What application do you see for your life?

3. Do some research on Luther, the battle he had, his friend Philip, the writing of A Mighty Fortress and share what you learn.

4. Tell us about your favorite renditions of this song.

5. Memorize the first verse of A Mighty Fortress and as you do, what do you learn about our enemy? About our God?

6. Memorize the second verse of A Mighty Fortress and as you do, what do you learn about yourself? What does “Lord Sabboath” mean?

7. How does this meet you where you are right now?

You can find more help for these questions in the studyguide The God of All Comfort, but you can also find answers in other ways. We have an amazing group. We are in a battle against the enemy, but we are definitely in it together. Let us pray for one another as we begin this part of the study, for we need one another’s prayers.

Lord, I thank You for the women you have called to this study, and who are diligently pressing into You. I see You transforming their lives and their lives rippling out to transform others. Protect us, put a shield around us, and remind us continually of your great love, for the enemy wants us to believe you do not love us. I ask this in Jesus name.




Mar 10, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , | 16 Comments »

The Miraculous Aslan Painting

When we are in the midst of trials and suffering, it is vital we speak the truth to our souls.  On Thursday, March 4th, 2010, I’m on Midday Connection (you can listen live or to “past programs” beginning March 5th using the link on my homepage talking about this. This program includes an interview about heaven with Sara Groves, and we listen to great songs, including Be Still My Soul. I memorized this great hymn and sang it to my soul every night for a year or so after I had let go of the lie that Steve wasn’t coming back. We’re going to divide the truths of this song into three parts, having to do with God’s heart, God’s history, and God’s heaven. We’ll begin on this post with God’s heart.

How do we know that God is for us when we are facing enormous pain? In The God of All Comfort, and on Midday, I tell how the Lord spoke to us through my daughter Sally’s miraculous Aslan painting. There is a famous scene in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when the children discover that Aslan (a Christ figure) is not a man, but a lion. They ask,

“But if he’s a lion — can he be quite safe?”

Mr. Beaver says, “Safe! Whoever said anything about Aslan being safe? Don’t you know who he is? He is the son of the emperor beyond the sea — he’s the great lion. Of course he’s not safe. But he’s good.”

Watch the video on this post and Sally will tell you how God spoke to her that even though many times God allows suffering in our lives, we can still know, that his heart is for us.

I am so blessed to have the original of this painting — it is five feet tall and four feet wide — and hangs in my living room, bringing me comfort.  Sally completed it just days before Steve was diagnosed with cancer.

Here are questions to ponder:

1. Comment on the video and what happened.

2. Meditate on the passage Sally quoted in Revelation 5:5-6. What does this passage say? What symbolism do you see in each animal described as far as knowing the character of God?

3. Write out and memorize the first verse of Be Still My Soul.  What do you learn about God’s heart for you? Can you find scriptural parallels to the truth in these verses?

4. Do a little homework on the history of Be Still My Soul. It also is a hymn that became linked with Eric Liddell, who’s story was made famous by Chariots of Fire. He became a missionary after that and died of a brain tumor in a concentration camp. See if you can find out some ways Be Still My Soul was linked with him.

5. How does the music compliment the lyrics in Be Still My Soul? As you listen to it, learn it, sing it to yourself — what impact does it have on you in your present circumstances?

6. Why do you think the enemy wants us to believe that God is not for us? Has the enemy gotten to you?

7. Listen to Midday. What stood out to you?

Lord, I pray for those listening to Midday, for those doing this study, for your children in pain, that You will show them Your heart, that You will defeat the enemy’s lie that You do not love them. Help us press into You and experience You. I ask this in Your name.

Mar 03, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , | 55 Comments »

LETTING GO OF THE LIES

frayed_ropeThey say the 2nd year for the widow is the hardest because the denial is gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was true with other catastrophic losses.  I didn’t think I was in denial — in fact, when Dr. Dobson interviewed me about a year after Steve died, I even said I hadn’t experienced denial. (I was in denial about denial.)

I didn’t realize I was in denial until I finally went for counseling. I told Sheila about a dream I had had before each of my daughter’s weddings (they all married within three years after Steve’s death). I dreamt that I drove up to the church, alone, and Steve pulled up right next to me. I said, “You aren’t dead!”

He said, “No! I just thought you were really mad and I was giving you some space. But I’m back and I’m going to walk her down the aisle and I’ll never go away again.”

Sheila said: “Dee, you have to accept that though one day you will go to Steve, he will never come back here to you.”

I thought, “Am I really so crazy that I thought he might?” I realized, somehow, I did. I thought if I got through enough hard nights and days then he would come back to me. I felt like a madwoman.

When a loss is so great, denial is a way of protecting you. But in time, you must let go of the lies, or you will never be able to speak the truth to your soul.

We may be in denial about loss, about our sin, about the false idols of our hearts. We’re holding on because letting go seems so hard. But unless we let go, we can never grab the rope that will, indeed, hold us.

1. Looking back in your life, when have you been in denial about the truth, and how did holding onto that frayed rope hurt you?

2. We’re going to look at David as a model. How was he in denial about his sin with Bathsheba? 2 Samuel 11-12:1-7

3. How did Nathan’s word picture turn the light on for him? Why do you think word pictures can be effective where reasoning fails? (This is one of the reasons the psalms are so effective.)

4. Psalm 51 is David’s psalm of letting go of the lies and coming in true repentance. Read it. Sing it if you know a song to go with it (or share one with us). Share your reflections particularly on verse 4 and any other verses that stand out to you.

5. Pray through Psalm 51, making it your own.

6.  What hard consequences were given to David because of his sin? 2 Samuel 12:7-15?

7. Look carefully at how David responded in 2 Samuel 12:16-24.  What did he do that surprised the servants? How does this show he was grabbing onto the truth? What do you think verse 23 means?

8. To what lies are you clinging?

Lord, I pray for each woman or man reading this, pondering your truth. Search us, O Lord, and see what lies are in our hearts — the ways we are resisting Your truth, because it seems hard. Show us who the real liar is, who deceives us so we are not in fellowship with You. Be with each of us, precious Jesus.

Feb 25, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , , | 54 Comments »

All Your Waves and Breakers Have Washed Over Me

This video may make you feel a bit seasick, but there’s nothing like a visual to tap into the right brain.  How I want you to see what the Lord has for you in this. The first water images were of an absence of water — a thirsty deer who has come to a dry riverbed — the psalmist saying his only water is his tears, day and night. (Isn’t that a picture of depression?)

But now, we have waves and breakers and a waterfall.

Meditate on Psalm 42:7-8. Write it out. This is one worthy of memorization, for it is so deep.

1. Several of you have caught that the mood if both positive and negative, there is water now, yet still the psalmist is talking to his downcast soul. How can “waves and billows” both drown you yet also save you? (Think of the story of Noah)

2. How may the very thing that you think is pulling you down, actually be an instrument of salvation? (If you can’t see it in your present circumstance, then look back to something you lost, something you thought you had to have, and now you see how God knew exactly what He was doing for your soul? Hope to hear some concise beautiful testimonies.)

3. Waves and breakers keep coming — what thought parallels this in verse 8?

4. Google Annie Johnson Flint’s poem “His Billows” — what insight does this give you?

5. Listen to the positive water images in Deep Deep Love of Jesus — share what you hear

6. My favorite phrase of all: “Deep calls to deep” — what do you think it means? I’ll share some favorite quotes, but want to hear from you first.

Feb 21, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , , | 40 Comments »

WHEN YOU CAN’T SENSE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

desertIt’s Ash Wednesday — a perfect time to begin in earnest to seek God, especially in the desert times.

We’re going to look at a psalm that I know can really help those of you in pain, those of you who are not sensing the presence of God, or those of you who long to be a comfort to others. It’s Psalm 42 and there are four vivid water pictures in it that can soothe and heal. The first is really a picture of no water — it’s a picture of the psalmist who identifies with a thirsty deer who has come all the way down the mountain, absolutely panting for water, but the river bed is dry!

He longs to sense the presence of God like that dying deer longs for water, but WHERE IS GOD???? Isn’t it comforting that God knows we will feel like this at times and gives us this picture? The psalmist says, in effect, “My only water is my tears, day and night.” (verse 3) That’s where some of you are, right now. God sees you, He understands, and He cares.

My prayer is that you will not give up. When I was preparing to write this chapter, “Deep Calls to Deep” I had an experience that was one of those rare moments when I absolutely knew the God who made the universe was speaking to me, and to you, my friends. Here it is, from The God of All Comfort:

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I was at my cabin in Wisconsin, almost three years after Steve’s death. Here, I do not pull my shades at night for I love seeing the sun sink into the waves of Green Bay as I go to sleep. Sometimes I wake just before the dawn—and a very few blessed times I have opened my eyes to see the vague shapes of a doe and her fawn drinking deep draughts from the bay. They come silently, before the world awakens, hoping they are safe.

In the dawn’s dim light, I have tried, unsuccessfully, to photograph them. Even my best photo is simply shadowy shapes, which my dad claimed were just stumps in the water that my fertile imagination desired to be deer.

I have never seen them brave the open water when the sun is up.

Until the day I began researching the word pictures of Psalm 42—beginning with the image of the deer panting for living water. Though I am often suspicious of people who have constant God sightings, I must admit, this was a God sighting.

Sunday, July 22

Two years and nine months after Steve’s death

Thank You, Lord. I am amazed at what You just did for me, for the readers of the book I am planning to write. I want to record it now, lest I forget.

When I saw what a beautiful morning it was, with the lake like rose-colored glass, I decided to have my time with You on the dock. I was immersing myself in Psalm 42. I sang “As the Deer” and “All Who Are Thirsty.” I began reading various translations of verses 1-2 of the psalm, turning the phrases over in my mind, asking You to “quicken” me and help me see, when suddenly, I was startled by a large shape moving on my right, below me, on the beach.

The timing was so uncanny I thought at first I was imagining it. But no. There she was. A graceful doe, and right behind her, her fawn. Gentle steps clicking softly over the rocks, beside the dock, and into the water. Then they stood like statues, except I was so close I could see them breathing.

The doe was alert, her nose quivering. I feared she would smell me, prayed she wouldn’t. All was still, and I was frozen in my deck chair, holding my breath.

I was so aware that this was a gift from You. The overwhelming thought of Your mindfulness of me. Of this book and its readers. I knew there was something You wanted me to see—so I was as alert as the doe. I knew better than to try to get my camera. I stayed motionless, praying I would see, really see—through the living picture to the meaning.

She walked gently, her fawn followed—just barely into the water, ready, if necessary, to bolt. Then—the picture that will forever linger in my memory: she spread her long legs so as to reach the water, her long neck reaching down. Her fawn did the same. They drank and drank. Deep draughts.

A seagull cried and her head came up, ears taut. Then, soft head down again.

I shifted just a bit to see them better. My book, Derek Kidner’s commentary on the psalms, open to Psalm 42, fell from my deck chair. Her head came swiftly up and she bolted, her fawn scrambling after mother over the rocks.

I stood to watch them go—white tails disappearing into the woods. Gone. As if it never happened. Yet it did, and the picture lingers in my memory, this gift from You.

What did I see that I believe God meant for you and for me? I saw a deer so thirsty that she braved the danger of daylight and humans to come. I saw a deer in a position of prostrate piety—the same position that God is pleased to see in us in body, but certainly in heart, as we show how earnest we are to hear from Him.

Suffering is like salt, increasing our thirstiness. In grief, we can recognize that our thirst is for God and press harder into Him, still believing that He is sovereign, caring, and our only hope. Or we can look to quench our thirst through drugs, constant sleep, destructive relationships, or work. We can abuse our bodies through cutting, or overeating or undereating—hoping to make atonement or to gain control of lives out of control. But those “sources of water” are mirages that can neither quench our thirst nor soothe grieving souls.

Only God can do that. And God longs for us to thirst for Him as the deer thirsts for streams of water. The word pictures in the psalms ultimately point us, in a kaleidoscope of ways, to Jesus. But we will not see Him unless we come in prostrate piety, earnestly desiring the Spirit to open our eyes.

Come, like a thirsty deer.

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Here’s your homework.  I promise you this will minister to you if you come like a thirsty deer.

1. Read Psalm 42 in its entirety as an overview

A.  What question does the psalmist keep asking of his soul? What does he tell his soul to do?

B. Find the four water pictures in the psalm. We’ll be looking at them in depth, for each is filled with meaning, but for now, simply find them and identify the verses they are in.

2. I’m hoping that many of you will download and listen to Tim Keller’s sermon on Psalm 42. It’s 2.50 so I realize some of you won’t be able to do it. But it is 2.50 well spent. Paste this into your browser and listen to it and give us your comments.

http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=18063&ParentCat=6

3. Some of the songs that might minister to you with this are:

As The Deer (but does this post shed new light on that) (Any fresh renditions you know of?)

All Who Are Thirsty (Kutlas and other groups do this beautifully)

Why Are You Downcast? (a group from India: Abney, Swapna… does it with wonderful water sounds)

The Deep Deep Love of Jesus (Many groups, and Amy Shreve’s is beautiful)

Give us your recommendations and thoughts.

4. If you are one who simply is not sensing the presence of God — tell us and we’ll pray for you.

5. If a verse pops out at you from Psalm 42, comment on it.

6. We talked about this psalm yesterday on Midday Connection — and also had a great interview with Elisa Stanford, on her feelings when her first child was born with Down’s Syndrome. If any of you listened and have a comment on that or anything in the interview, would love to hear it. (You can listen to past programs online.)

Praying for each of you!

Feb 17, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , , , | 28 Comments »

I was a hymn snob.

Cruciality@wordpress.comMy original plan for The God of All Comfort was to base it solely on hymns. A good friend of mine heard me pontificating on why. “The best music is complex music. The 7/11 songs (seven words sung eleven times) bore me.”

Ann wrote me a dear and gracious letter which convicted me to the core. (The letter is in The God of All Comfort.) One sentence I particularly remember was “Dee: I know you would never criticize someone for praying simply. Why do you criticize the simple worship songs that stir peoples’ hearts?”

The next Sunday, my pastor, Mike Lano, preached on Ephesians 5:15-21, a passage we will look at thoughtfully for the next several days.   He explained that the main point in this passage is:

I. Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) Then under that are the following evidences of being filled with the Spirit.

A. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. (v. 19)

B. Submit to one another. (v. 21)

Pastor Lano explained that we need all three kinds of music in a worship service, for each has its unique value. While the older people tend to prefer the hymns, they should submit to the younger people, and sing those spiritual songs with their hearts. While the younger people tend to prefer the spiritual songs, they should submit to the older people and sing the hymns with their minds.

I was convicted and converted from being a hymn snob. Truly, I have come to see the great value in beautiful simple worship songs — that the repetition can be a contemplative exercise, bringing us into the arms of God.

This group has been wonderful in suggesting all three kinds of music to one another, referring us to u-tube, writing out lyrics, and sharing how specific songs have touched their hearts. You have also listened well to each other’s musical suggestions.

Before you look at the questions, I want you to know you are ministering to some women who are in “high-tide grief.” Their grief is so fresh and deep, they are not ready to participate, but they are writing to me, and they are thanking me for you. Please pray for them and continue to keep them in mind. Many of you have been comforted by The God of All Comfort and are able to therefore comfort others going through any kind of trouble.

1.  Meditate on Ephesians 5:15-21. Take it slowly, praying through it, asking the Lord to help you see it anew. Share what you are seeing.

2. For those of you who have The God of All Comfort, you can read about this more carefully in the close of the chapter Songs in the Night. Share anything that stands out to you.

3. Think about songs of lament and share your favorite psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of lament. This will minister to all of us, but especially to those in high tide grief.

4. What do you think this Ephesians passage says to churches that have a traditional service that is primarily hymns and a contemporary service that is primarily spiritual songs?

5. Why do you think music can be such a consolation? Why do you think singing is an evidence of being filled with the Spirit?

6. How do you need to be in submission to others in regard to music?

Feb 12, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , , , | 65 Comments »

Teach Me Some Melodious Sonnet

teach_me_some_melodious_sonnet_by_relient_kThe first phrase in “Come Thou Fount” shows us three reasons that there is such tremendous power in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. “Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.” There is the power of:

Music (Melodious)

Poetry (Sonnet)

The Holy Spirit (Flaming tongues)

Here is your assignment, outstanding class, for the next week, for it is long. Take a question or two a day.

1. Learn the first and second verse of “Come Thou Fount.” Listen to Amy or suggest other renditions. Savor the lyrics and share your meditations on them.

2. Look at the power of music: How was music present at creation (Job 38:4-7)? What happened to music at the fall? (Romans 8:19-22) How did music appear again at the birth of Christ? And who will sing when Christ comes back? (Isaiah 55:12-13)

3. I want you to consciously sing more psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs throughout the day. Tell us what you are singing — how it is impacting you.

4. What did you learn in The God of All Comfort about the power of music?

5.  Poetry differs from prose in that it is meant to penetrate the heart, to tap into the right brain, and bring the love of God alive. You must read as a lover reads.  Meditate on the word pictures in Jeremiah 2:13, which is the scriptural basis for the phrase “Come Thou Fount”   Draw it, memorize it, linger over it. Tell us how it penetrates your heart and how to apply it.

6. Meditate on the word pictures in Psalm 91:1-10. How can they comfort you in your pain right now? Read as a lover reads.

7. What did you learn from The God of All Comfort about the power of poetry?

8.  Write down some of the phrases from the first two verses of “Come Thou Fount” and meditate on them. Find their scriptural basis if you can. If one leaps out at you, slow down — because those flaming tongues are quickening you — He’s talking to you. What do you see?

CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR FROM THIS WONDERFUL GROUP!

I’m off to Atlanta to speak and covet your prayers.

Feb 05, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: | 68 Comments »

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

Songs in the night

Samantha Crain

It’s February 1st. I always see the 1st of each month as a fresh start! This month we will have Valentine’s Day — and for those of you who have lost your husband, a bittersweet day. We will also, just a couple of days later, have Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent — a day when we identify with the sacrifice that Christ made for us, identify with His suffering, and prepare our hearts for the great celebration of His love and resurrection.

Many of you who are participating on this blog have lost someone you love dearly, perhaps even a spouse — and Valentine’s Day is a kind of night. Yet the promise of spring and the resurrection is surely a song in the night.

Years before my husband’s fatal diagnosis, he became a huge Charles Spurgeon fan.  Here was one of Steve’s favorite quotes from Spurgeon:

“The world has its night…man too, like the great world in which he lives, must have his night…nights of all kind which press upon our spirits and terrify our souls. But blessed be God, the Christian can say, ‘God gives me songs in the night.”

Here are your questions for the week.  Many are telling me they are amazed at the depth of the answers on this blog. I want to encourage you that you are not only speaking the truth to your own soul, but encouraging many others who at this point may either be hurting too much to write, or are the introverts who often sit silently in a Bible study.

Start listening and singing “Come Thou Fount.” We’ll dig into it on the next post.

1. If you have a copy of The God of All Comfort, did anything stand out to you in pages 51 to the top of 53?

2. Meditate on Psalm 77:4-6.  Describe the lament, then the resolve.

3. What do you think the phrase “songs in the night” means? Explain your answer.

4. Give an example from your own life, a recent one, if possible, of God giving you a song in the midst of your night. Make this concise and clear — for your song may be a song that floats into another’s night and gives them hope.

(On pages 41-43 of The God of All Comfort, I give examples of songs that came in my night.)

5. The phrase “songs in the night” also occurs in Job. Find it. Comment on it.

6. Are you dreading Valentine’s Day? Sometimes we can be proactive about hard days. How might you, if you are dreading it, be proactive? Pray and see if God gives you a plan. If so, share it.

7. Let’s each send a valentine with a note to someone who might be dreading it and be accountable to each other! Get it ready to mail by the end of this week! (I personally much prefer the real tangible kinds to the internet!) Or better yet, if you can afford it, send a book or flowers!

Feb 01, 2010 | Categories: Personal | 51 Comments »

Rejoicing Comes in the Morning

worshipWe’re continuing with question 6 from the last post, which is to pray through Psalm 30, but I’d like to give you some guidelines.

There really is power in praying the psalms, in praising, even when we don’t feel like it. Eugene Peterson says this kind of prayer interrupts our preoccupation with ourselves.  We are not alone in our prayers — First, as Renee so beautifully quoted from Narnia, Aslan can help us if we don’t ask, but “he sort of likes to be asked.” Begin by asking Him to help you slow down, meditate, and really see Psalm 30. Ask Him to kiss you. If a verse pops out, realize His Spirit is answering, and SLOW DOWN. Truly, I believe we are going to see some joy coming, hear about kisses received, about mourning turned into dancing. I’m praying for you to really do this, and for His Spirit to come and quicken you. I have a sense of expectancy.

Next, T. M. Moore has some helpful books on praying the psalms and he divides Psalm 30 into three parts — so let’s take it in these three parts and hear your reflections. It’s helpful if you mark them A, B, and C

A. Psalm 30:1-3  PRAISE GOD FOR HIS HEALING GRACE

When has God lifted you ouf of the depths? Healed you? Brought you up from the grave? Spared you from going down to the pit. Write your contemplations and praises.

B. Psalm 30:4-10 PRAISE THE LORD THAT HIS CHASTENING LEADS TO RENEWAL

When have you felt His chastening and responded so that renewal came? What promises give you hope here? What warning do you need to heed? What perspective do we have, on this side of the cross, that David did not?

C. Psalm 30:10-12 GIVE PRAISE AND THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS RENEWING GRACE

Word pictures are meant to be savored. Read as a lover reads. What do you see?

Jan 28, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: | 35 Comments »

It is winter now, but spring will come

crocus-in-snowPlease read the following, and then answer the questions at the bottom over the next four days.

Thursday, December 16

Two months after Steve’s death

Annie feels like her life is “over”—and sometimes I do too. I understand those widows in pagan places who climb up on the funeral pyre and are burned with their husbands’ bodies. When I told Steve I wanted to go with him, he shook his head, “No, no—you must go on—the children, the people you touch. Go on because I can’t.”

I know, deep in my soul, that our lives are not our own. You have left us here for a reason. Yet I look out at the frozen ground, covered with snow, and think, “That’s how I feel.”

I told Liz Curtis Higgs (an author and friend) that’s how I felt. She e-mailed back: “Good, Beloved. He will slowly melt your ‘frozenness.’ And it is, after all, winter now. Beneath the frozen ground, new life is preparing to burst forth come spring. I feel certain that’s what will happen with you as well.”

In Narnia, the land that C. S. Lewis created, it was always winter and never Christmas—that is, until Aslan appeared. Then the ice began to thaw, yellow crocuses began to poke their heads up through the snow, and the snow began to fall in great clumps from the trees and melt into the ground. Aslan’s enemy, the White Witch, who traveled by sleigh, was stopped in her tracks.

“This is no thaw,” said the dwarf, suddenly stopping. “This is Spring. What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan’s doing.”

How can we get through the frozen tundra of grief to spring?

Only one way. Aslan—Jesus—must come.

And He will. He hears the groaning of His people and His heart is moved. He cares, more than a mother cares for her fretful baby, and He has the truth to calm our fretful souls.

QUESTIONS:

1. Comments or reflections on the above reading?

2. Find evidence in Scripture, either from historical incidents, or from the psalms, that God hears the cries of His people and cares. (You can do a word hunt by going to Biblegateway.com and typing in words like cries, groanings, sorrows — and see what you find.) Write down the phrases that touch your heart.

3. Often when you are in the midst of a spiritual winter, as many of you are, you cannot imagine that spring will come — that Aslan will come. What I want you to do is look back to a different winter, when spring did come, when Jesus did come, and write down what you remember.

4. Memorize the first verse of Be Still My Soul and share your reflections on it.

It’s in the back of The God of All Comfort or you can google it.

5. For Narnia fans, share a comforting word picture of Aslan.

6.  Meditate on Psalm 30. Taste it. Savor it. When a verse leaps out at you, The Spirit is speaking. Go slower. Savor. Memorize. Then (and only then) tell us what you see.

Jan 23, 2010 | Categories: Personal | Tags: , , , | 54 Comments »

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