Comments on: Pain's Purpose, Part 2

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:35:46 +0000

Beautifully written – thank you so much for sharing the truth of God's Word with us.
.-= Debbie´s last blog post … Good Sources for Good Nutrition =-.

By: Serena Woods

Serena Woods — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:40:25 +0000

Cherie: I love The Message version. :) .-= Serena Woods´s last blog post ... keeping it simple =-.

By: Cherie

Cherie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:33:57 +0000

Serena, I would love to know what translation of the Bible you are using. The verses in Lamentations are beautiful, but not anything like my NIV version!

Sarah Mae, thanks for hosting Serena!
.-= Cherie´s last blog post … Hearts at Home Living With Less Contest =-.

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:33:20 +0000

I just can't tell you how much this two-part article has meant to me. You are absolutely living proof that pain can serve amazing purpose (although I know you already know that! ;) Thank you for what that purpose has done for me today.

To God be all the glory! :)

By: Sisterlisa

Sisterlisa — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:15:45 +0000

Serena, thank you for dieing to self today so Jesus could write that to us with your fingertips. Such a true message. This same thing has been on my heart all week too. Free the captives. .-= Sisterlisa´s last blog post ... Expressing Love =-.

By: Barbie

Barbie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:48:52 +0000

You have so much insight. Thank you for your heart to communicate the Lord's heart to others. .-= Barbie´s last blog post ... Mustard Seed Faith =-.

By: Serena Woods

Serena Woods — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:28:37 +0000

No kidding, Mirinda! When you ask God for growth, watch out! ;) Always beauty from ashes. How do the ashes get there? :) .-= Serena Woods´s last blog post ... thoughts on ‘pain’s purpose’ =-.

By: Mirinda

Mirinda — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:09:44 +0000

That is so well written. Our family had a really horrible year last year. My husband and I decided to face it head on, with faith and the assurance that God was creating something even better for us. We grew so much and it created the desire for more of Him and less of us. Trials develop so much character and love...though I will say I'm hoping it's awhile before we have another :) .-= Mirinda´s last blog post ... Love is in the air! =-.

By: Serena Woods

Serena Woods — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:47:06 +0000

I am absolutely convinced that God has called me to share the message of His everlasting love and grace to the broken and wrecked. I speak with overwhelming compassion that He has given me and with passion that has overtaken me. I identify, most clearly, with these words from Isaiah:

1-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
   heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
   pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
   a celebration of God's destruction of our enemies—
   and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
   give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
   a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness"
   planted by God to display his glory.
They'll rebuild the old ruins,
   raise a new city out of the wreckage.
They'll start over on the ruined cities,
   take the rubble left behind and make it new.
You'll hire outsiders to herd your flocks
   and foreigners to work your fields,
But you'll have the title "Priests of God,"
   honored as ministers of our God.
You'll feast on the bounty of nations,
   you'll bask in their glory.
Because you got a double dose of trouble
   and more than your share of contempt,
Your inheritance in the land will be doubled
   and your joy go on forever.
8-9"Because I, God, love fair dealing
   and hate thievery and crime,
I'll pay your wages on time and in full,
   and establish my eternal covenant with you.
Your descendants will become well-known all over.
   Your children in foreign countries
Will be recognized at once
   as the people I have blessed."

10-11I will sing for joy in God,
   explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
   he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo
   and a bride a jeweled tiara.
For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
   and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
   and puts praise on display before the nations. -Isaiah 61
.-= Serena Woods´s last blog post … thoughts on ‘pain’s purpose’ =-.

By: SarahMae

SarahMae — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:13:41 +0000

Serena, as usual, you communicate truth so powerfully, and yet in a way that could come in a whisper, not a shout. Thank you.