Wednesday, January 16, 2008

8 gables and suffering

This is another picture from my daily walks. This is an old house--think from the 1800's in our town. I believe it has 8 gables. Three in front, three in back and one on each end if I recollect correctly!
I have been reading Yancey's book on "Where is God When it Hurts?" why? you ask? So many of my friends are experiencing pain--all kinds of pain. Some physical, some emotional, mental, etc. Plus I have been reading Job in my devotions. Anyways I wanted to give an extended quote that Yancey adapted from another source and put it here so I have a copy and can think more on it.
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"1. Suffering, the great equalizer, brings us to a point where we may realize our urgent need for redemption.
2. Those who suffer know not only their dependence on God and on healthy people but also their interdependence with one another.
3. Those who suffer rest their security not on things, which often cannot be enjoyed and may soon be taken away, but rather on people.
4. Those who suffer have no exaggerated sense of their own importance, and no exaggerated need of privacy. Suffering humbles the proud.
5. Those who suffer expect little from competition and much from cooperation.
6. Suffering helps us distinguish between necessities and luxuries.
7. Suffering teaches patience, often a kind of dogged patience born of acknowledged dependence.
8. Suffering teaches the difference between valid fears and exaggerated fears.
9. To suffering people, the gospel sounds like good news and not like a threat or a scolding. It offers hope and comfort.
10. Those who suffer can respond to the call of the gospel with a certain abandonment and uncomplicated totality because they have so little to lose and are ready for anything.
"Reading over this list, I begin to realize why so many Christian saints have endured much suffering. Dependence, humility, simplicity, cooperation, abandon---these are qualities greatly prized in the spiritual life, but extremely elusive for people who live in comfort.
"My understanding of the Beatitudes has undergone a radical change. I no longer see them as a sop thrown by Jesus to the unfortunates of the world. I view them not as patronizing slogans, but as profound insights into the mystery of human existence. The poor, the hungry, the mourners, and those who suffer truly are blessed. Not because of their miserable states, of course---Jesus spent much of his life trying to remedy those miseries. Rather, they are blessed because of an innate advantage they hold over people more comfortable and self-sufficient. "
Well, these are some things for me to think on.

11 comments:

  1. I think I recall now what led me to your blog......did you mention Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer" in one of your comments on someone else's blog? That's when I clicked on your name "nannykim". I had just finished reading that book.

    Also want to say.....the thought on your header is great! And what an incentive to write!

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  2. you have given all of us some things to think on...
    thanks for the post

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  3. Thank you for that wonderful post. I am so happy we have Jesus to help carry our burdons and to be with us through our suffering.

    I tagged you for a meme, come on over and see what it is about, I hope you will play.

    Have a great day! Sharon

    P.S. That old house is fabo!

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  4. I love the picture. It also helped me to read the ten thoughts on suffering. It's all very true.

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  5. This was a good message for me as I have been suffering from a "bum" knee for months. Had surgery on it along the first of November and thought by now it would be fine. It's not. Next week the doctor is going to start giving me injections in the knee (5 of them). I'm hoping and praying that will make it all better. Then when I think of the suffering that others have, I think my problem is nothing compared. Incidentally, my husband has about a gillion books and this book by Yancy is one of them. I'm going to look it up and start reading it. Thanks for the reminder.

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  6. you shared,
    2. Those who suffer know not only their dependence on God and on healthy people but also their interdependence with one another.

    Until we come to the place of understanding our need for a Savior, we won't do anything about our need for a Savior. Suffering brings us to that understanding. Suffering weeds self out to make room so that God may come in. Coming to the point of brokenness and hating our sin because we see how far it has left us from God with no hope is the point where we can be saved, comforted, filled, and obtain mercy.

    Matthew 5
    3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

    6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

    7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.


    Also,
    Rather, they are blessed because of an innate advantage they hold over people more comfortable and self-sufficient. "

    Well said. I suppose that's why we can rejoice in the midst of sufferings because it draws us to God and shapes us more like Christ while pruning our self portion. Hmm,...perhaps the fruit of Long Suffering comes in here considering Christ as the vine, ourselves as the branches, and the Father who prunes us back.

    A very intriguing post. Thank you.

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  7. oops, I forgot to mention the photo. What a cool find.

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  8. Your posts are always wonderful to read and ponder :-)

    Have the Best of Days......Rosie

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  9. This was a meaningful post for me to read as I recover from my broken ankle..hibernating alone as the world
    goes by.Alone in my home. I am learning many a lesson..patience the greatest! Thank you for this post! hugs NG

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  10. I look forward to your comments on my blog. I'm trying to remember how long I made dolls. I think about 3 years. I know the last one I made was summer of 1989. That's when I left Stockton and moved here. I can't remember the number of times people here after seeing my dolls want to know if I'm still making them. If I hadn't moved, who knows - I might still be making them, but I doubt it. I've got more dolls than I need now but you're right. In making them, I got very attached to them. My daughter use to tease me and say I was making my own grandchildren since I didn't have any (and still don't). I have two wonderful children, but no grandchildren.
    About my knee - I fell and twisted it last 4th of July. I limped around for a long time and finally had an MRI on it that showed I had a torn maniscus (sp.) In November I had arthoscopy surgery. The doctor said I had a lot of arthritis in that knew and he thinks that's why I'm still having so much pain. We'll see if the shots help. Thank you for caring. Prayer would be much appreciated.

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  11. tanks for this post on suffering. I always remember Jesus holds out His pierced hands and stand with His broken feet which glows as if they were in a fire (Rev. 1) and He is waiting for us to embrace Him and identify with Him in His sufferings.... that is why we will have hard times. It purifies us and He is there to help us.

    Have you read any of Bob Sorge's books - one is "The Fire of delayed answers" and he has other books on suffering and fire too.

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