have been mia

Dear Karyn,

Certainly you are in my prayers. Anything you put in the hands of God will bring great blessings!

Currently I am working on a message, I think I am going to title it, "Is this guy Paul for real?" Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the cir****tances.
I have good days, I have bad days, I write my good stuff on my good days, on my bad days, I don't write it at all. However I often write about the bad days when I am having a good day!  I have often wondered, did Paul only write on his good days?

Yes, even our beloved Brother Apostle Paul was human and no doubt he had those bad days too. We all know the burdens that were upon his shoulders day and night as he walked serving our Lord God faithfully.  Often when I read the letters of Paul, I ask myself, "Is this guy for real?" "How can one always be so content whatever the cir****tances?" We each do face those many cir****tances in life that seem like such a huge cross to bear. Our own illnesses, those of our loved ones, financial burdens, our children in trouble, our world in chaos, how to be content with all cir****tances can be a great challenge.

I wish I could honestly say that I live in contentment always, whatever the cir****tances. But I do praise my Lord God for being my Lord God. I do thank Him for bringing to me the wisdom to understand Paul's message.

Prior to having WLS, sure I was frightened of the what if's? What if something goes wrong and I die? It happens. But God sent to me a comforting message. In whoms hands am I in? Always am I in the hands of my Lord God, regardless of the cir****tances, and the outcome of those cir****tances. No matter what, all things will be for His glory. I am content in all cir****tances because my life brings glory to my Father, regardless of the cir****tances.

That is not to say that contentment comes easy, praying for contentment keeps me on my knees! But my Lord does bring to me peace and comfort, which always brings me contentment and the strength I need to carry on.

My Love In Christ,
Joie

Hi, Joie.
I don't want to interrupt your message to Karyn, but I wanted to give you a most hearty Welcome to the Christianity Forum! There are not many of us who post, but if you ever have a prayer request, this is the place to post it, for we have some great prayer warriors here. :)
Thanks for giving me something to ponder--I do wonder if Paul avoided writing on his not-so-positive days. Perhaps, in the beginning, but I'm thinking that Paul saw God come through for him over and over, and, eventually, his faith rose up on the inside and, no matter the cir****tances, he knew that God is who He says He is, God can do what He says He can do, that he [Paul] was who God says he was, that he [Paul] could do all things through Christ who gave him strength, and that God's Word was alive and active in him [Paul]! [5-point shield of faith, adapted from Beth Moore].
I just preached myself happy! LOL
Blessings,
Mary

Thanks Joie and Mary I knew God brought me to this forum for a reason and how he uses other people around me amazes me to no end. You both have been such a comfort these last few days and I thank you along with Karen. Mary you just preached me into Happy. Thanks again and God bless. You will both be rewarded for your faithfulness and for yourn servanthood.

In Christ
karyn