“’Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendour every day. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.
“Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
“And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.” Luke 16:19-25
“The Road Less Travelled, by M. Scott Peck, opens with a blunt three-word sentence: ‘Life is difficult.’ There is an instinctive judgment that life ought to be fair and the God should ‘do a better job’ of running his world. On the ground rules, they all agree: God should reward those who do good and punish those who do evil.
“A crisis of faith brews inside Job. Is God unfair? Such a notion calls into question everything Job believes, but how else can he explain what has happened? He looks around for other examples of unfairness and sees that evil people sometimes do prosper – they don’t get punished, as he’d like to believe – while some godly people suffer. And many other people live happy, fruitful lives without ever giving a thought to God. For Job, the facts simply do not add up. ‘When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.’” *
God never promises a rose garden, regardless of what the song says. God ‘arranges’ our lives before we meet Him, so we DO meet Him. Afterward, He ‘arranges’ our lives so we have opportunities to choose to serve Him moment-by-moment. That is what He promises! What amazing grace!
Take care with love, especially His! Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY? For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, you might just page back through previous prayer requests and see the hand of our loving Father in action!
NEW PRAYER REQUEST: Those in Australia still dealing with the devastation of the floods (some are starting to recede). For Adrian who was in Ipswitch, one of the hardest hit by floods – he’s lost his home and has been seriously ill. Jim and Elaine as they search for a new direction. For me as I search for lost papers.
OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS: Please continue to pray for those in & around Christchurch NZ who trying to pull their lives together after the earthquakes. Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Randy (unexpected life changes). For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son) Michael.
ONGOING JOB RELATED: That Tim might also find satisfying work. Galdor resigned and now need the right job, not just a job.
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and his patience. Jo has work now to help with those affected by the earthquakes in NZ. My friend’s wedding will proceed. Sue, is making slow progress against paraneoplastic syndrome. David (great health now!). Nancy, continues to progress well. Earl grows stronger every day now! The other Nancy is doing well against her cancer.
PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
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