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ping
| March 9, 2006
The Good That Pain Can Do
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Affliction, when we accept it with humility, can be instructive, a discipline that leads us to a deeper, fuller life. "Before I was afflicted I went astray," David said, "but now I keep Your Word" (Psalm 119:67). Peter would agree: Affliction leads us not to live for ourselves "but for the will of God" (1 Peter 4:2).
Far from being an obstacle to our spiritual growth, pain can be the instrument of it—if we're trained by it. It can push us closer to God and deeper into His Word. It is a means by which He graciously shapes us to be like His Son, gradually giving us the compassion, contentment, tranquility, and courage we long and pray for. Without pain, we wouldn't be all that God wants us to be. His strength shines brightest through human weakness.
Has God set you apart today to receive instruction through suffering and pain? Endure this training patiently. He can turn the trial into a blessing. He can use it to draw you close to His heart and into His Word, teach you the lessons He intends for you to learn, and use it to bestow His grace on you.
God is making more of you—something much better—than you ever thought possible. —David Roper
Whatever God teaches us through pain is gain.
President Gerald Ford (1974-77) gives his golden retriever, Liberty, some attention in the Oval Office.
Amy Carter, daughter of Jimmy Carter (1977-81), holds her Siamese cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang.
President George H. W. Bush (1989-93) walks onto the White House lawn with his Springer Spaniel, Millie, and Millie's new puppies. One of the puppies is Spot, President George W. Bush's dog, that returned to the White House in 2001 and sadly died in February 2004.
GWB's dogs
The late Spot
Barney and Beazley December 2005
The Vice President's Dogs Jackson (Black) and Dave
Here are my two Chins, Rowan and Sage
Buddy, Grumpy Greta and Jojo
The Porch Posse (yes, there are 7 cats in this picture...Evie, Maggie, Xena, Lizzie Borden, Sabre, WitchBlade, MamaCat....Nimbus, Sal, Shadow, Bogart & Boris weren't present at the time :) )
Oh, and that's Buddy's backside :)
Princess Diva Knowitall and Brat, best friends
060308-N-0000X-002 Pacific Ocean (March 8, 2006) – A Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) is launched from the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency, and Japan Defense Agency cooperative flight test mission. The test entitled Joint Control Test Vehicle-1 (JCTV-1), demonstrated the performance of the SM-3 missile modified with the Japan-designed advanced nosecone and Aegis BMD Weapon System. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)
060307-N-7359L-005 Atlantic Ocean (March 7, 2006) - A landing signal officer observes the approach of an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron One Four Zero (VAQ-140), as it prepares to make an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are underway conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Period. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher B. Long (RELEASED)
060308-N-4772B-354 Philippine Sea (March 8, 2006) - U.S. Marine Corps armored amphibious vehicles from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team leave the beach of Iwo Jima to return to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). Harpers Ferry, along with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are visiting Iwo Jima to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the famous battle. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Brian P. Biller (RELEASED)
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Aw, darn! I didn't get a chance to get near my computer yesterday and it was such a great post. I still loved it even a day late,
