I am sitting outside with my laptop trying to write about the life we try to live in the Lord our God. Given that since my last post we have experienced two destructive hurricanes and one of the worst terrorist tragedies in recent history, it would seem a difficult task. Add to that the many individuals we know and cherish who were affected by these events and the messege becomes difficult to come to grips with. The suffering and in some cases, the loss, creates a heaviness in our hearts that is hard to overcome. The natural disasters are hard enough to take but the recent event in Las Vegas is another matter. I find myself grieving for the loss of so many innocent lives. There is a disbelief of the total lack of compassion or restraint on the part of the shooter or total lack of conscience for the hundreds that have had their lives altered or destroyed. Even in the face of all of this there is a powerful example of what life is all about. Through each and every disaster and tragedy there come multitudes of tales of courage and selflessness. Stories of strangers helping stranger and some cases giving their life for another. In many cases there was no thought of what they were doing other than providing a need for another that was helpless. In some cases it was the selfless protection of another that cost them their lives. We are not talking about military people. These are ordinary citizens in most cases that were in the same danger as those they were helping. They ignored the danger to themselves and helped others. In the face of the evil of this world there are those that our Lord will touch, unbeknownst to the “heroes” being called forth, to react and step forward to be counted, not necessarily noticed. For every fenatic out there, if we look hard enough there will be many more that will be selfless when the need arises. It will never take away the pain or the horror but at least it gives hope that tomorrow can and will be better.
In this broken world the only thing that can fix it is faith in Christ Jesus. To hope that man will find the morals, the sanity to overcome what has become a world of hate and irresponsibility is fantasy without God in the mix. Rhetoric is so much lip service in this day and age. Without Christ and God there is nothing but chaos and death. I pray that the Lord return to our lives and bring sanity and peace to this country and the world. Unity, understanding, forgiveness, compassion, love and an eye to someone other than ourselves are His way. It should be our way as well. May the good Lord bless and keep you all safe. May He bless you, forever holding you in His loving hands. Amen, Amen and Amen.
Hopefully the next post will be more joyous. Until then here are two more cards. Both are from Em Fairley. They are late in being acknowledged. I hope You like both of these cards as much as I do.
They are Gorgeous. The first is a birthday card. You know me well Em. Fabulous design. Can't express how much I love is card. Thank you.
This was for Jill and my 54th wedding anniversary. Jill and I love this card. I must be strange because I love lacy cards. These are special cards from a very special lady in our lives. Thank you.
The Lord be with you all and keep you safe. Never forget to Love The Details. Until next post, God Bless.
We live in a world that is increasingly hard to understand. Nature's catastrophes, man's inhumanity to man, radicalism, hate make it hard to believe in anything good. But we need hope to carry on. Stay safe, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI like what Valerie said in her comment above mine. "We live in a world that is increasingly hard to understand" And you are so right to say that the focus should be on the ones...that showed so much courage and caring for their fellow man. They're the ones that give so much hope through the darkness in this world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the beautiful cards that Em sent our way...
As always, you speak from the heart to the hearts of so many. Having been through personal tragedies that have made me ask if there is a God, I can understand that so many are asking the same now. My answer? Yes, there is and as in everything, only He knows the plan, no matter how difficult it is to make sense of it all, particularly when it seems nonsensical.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting my cards and I'm so glad that both of you love them.
Love, hugs and so many blessings,
Em xoxo
Oh Jim, what a sad situation the States is in at the moment. I am not saying we are any better, but you are really under the gun, as it were. How true that in each of these horrific situations there are those who would give their lives for others, and that does give hope, but without the Lord we are truly hope-less.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of Jonathon Cahn or read any of his books? - they are amazing, and would/do give insight into what is happening in today's world, using the bible as the basis of his work. His latest release is The Paradigm.
Blessings
Maxine
It has certainly been trying times in our country and really all over the world Jim. Just when I don't think I can be shocked at these shooters anymore another one comes along and shocks me even more. I wish we wouldn't give these shooters fame. To me their names shouldn't be told, shouldn't have their photo on air, shouldn't give "fame" to what they have done. We should just focus on the victims and the good Samaritans. I hate that we even have to report it as I think it just keeps giving others the idea to do the same thing. It's just a shame that people are solving their issues in this manner. No regard to life what so ever and it is just so sad. We really need to pray for the people who have mental illness. But it makes me heart proud when I see how great people really are and will put themselves at risk to help another person. This shows the compassion of most people and I really do think the good out weigh the bad but we only hear about it when something like this happens. It's those good Samaritans that keep our hope going because we do know there are good God fearing people out there and are willing to risk their lives to help another in need! I want to say it is amazing but it isn't, it is people who believe in the good Lord and live to do His will and one is to love one another. We NEED to love one another and stop all this hateful violence. sigh Moving on, the ship card is just stunning! Happy Belated Anniversary to you and Jill, the anniversary card is just beautiful as well and these is no law saying that a man can't enjoy the beauty of something lacy. So glad you enjoy the beauty of lacy cards, etc...and this one certainly is a beautiful one! Hope you and Jill stay well this winter! Big hugs to you both, Brenda
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