[The Mayor]

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Pain No More
July 21, 2011

For a good portion of my life, I shared the perspective of those who rail against God for allowing pain. I could find no way to rationalize a world as toxic as this one.

As I visited people whose pain far exceeded my own, though, I was surprised by its effects. Suffering seemed as likely to reinforce faith as to sow doubt.

My anger about pain has melted mostly for one reason: I have come to know God. He has given me joy and love and happiness and goodness. It leaves me with faith in a Person, a faith so solid that no amount of suffering can erode it.

Where is God when it hurts? He has been there from the beginning. He designed a pain system that, in the midst of a fallen world, bears His stamp. He transforms pain, using it to teach and strengthen us if we allow it to turn us toward Him.

He has hurt and bled and cried and suffered. He has dignified for all time those who suffer, by sharing their pain. But one day He will gather the armies of heaven and will unleash them against the enemies of God. The world will see one last terrifying moment of suffering before the full victory is ushered in. Then God will create for us a new, incredible world. And pain will be no more (Rev. 19:11–22:6).

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race. —Wesley

Pain will either turn us against God or draw us to Him..

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? —1 Corinthians 15:55

Bible in a year:
Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15

[MEG33]

~Happy Thursday To Amy's Place~

Nothing fairer than the light
On petals opening, gold and white,
To the morning, to the blue,
In a world of song and dew.

Nothing fairer than two eyes
That behold with shy surprise
The miracle that no man can stay ---
Darkness turning into day.
"Early Morning Song" by Rachel Lyman Field

~Wishing You A Cool Comfortable Day~

[geologist]

Pain is a great equalizer. Man suffers pain and there is little else he can think or do during times of great pain. Just ask any one that has had a bad toothache, or severe back pain, or serious burn, etc. Childbirth, it is all encompassing and allows for little else than trying to relieve it. It befuddles ones mind, won't allow sleep, and it a true torment in this life. Thank you Lord these times are greatly limited. It is a strong warning for all regarding hell. God sets before us heaven and blessing or cursing and hell; life or death, Choose life he tells us. We show our choice by how we live. Do we obey the great commandments Love the LORD thy God with all thy might, soul, strength, heart,and mind:

Love thy neighbor as thyself ...

Thank thee LORD for the treasure of thy Word and for the LORD Jesus Christ. Thy will, will be. IN Jesus name amen.