tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post6252365803934624300..comments2023-10-31T11:30:53.528-04:00Comments on Master of Irony: FrustratedJust Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085642883987294862noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post-46489201246709786192009-12-21T14:19:30.281-05:002009-12-21T14:19:30.281-05:00Always praying that you'll feel God's stre...Always praying that you'll feel God's strength in body, mind, soul and spirit. Today is the darkest day of the year, but the bright lights of the season are overcoming the darkness because the Light of the world has come. <br /><br />Isaiah 9: 1a-2<br /><br />To Us a Child Is Born <br /><br /> 1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress....<br /><br /> 2 The people walking in darkness <br />have seen a great light; <br />on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.Michal Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680002305753968190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post-69354564038159220402009-12-20T23:26:24.711-05:002009-12-20T23:26:24.711-05:00I love some of your new realizations: you need to ...I love some of your new realizations: you need to have help for some tasks, you need to maintain boundaries with your snotty manager, you know what to expect at this time of year, you know you're fatigued, you understand the medical aspects of a small fracture vs. a sprain and so on and you've given the "whininess" alert. <br /><br />You're so fortunate to have a team to work with you. Can you imagine if you lived in a different day and age?<br /><br />I just came from a party at the Veteran's hospital in Seattle. My uncle died there earlier this week so I was disappointed not to be able to visit him in long term care. I learned details of his final day and it's reassuring to know he was in the palm of the Lord's hand throughout his transition to freedom in heaven. Members of our small church provided a party in the long term care ward of the hospital as well as a party in the psych unit. My girlfriend has been an inpatient on the psych ward so she has a real heart for doing this outreach. It all went so well. It was wonderful to get outside myself and my own grief over broken relationships and help others who have next to nothing.<br /><br />I've seen my veteran friend, the former psych. ward patient, heal and grow over about 17 years. When she first became a believer at that time, she whispered to me "where is Genesis?" She literally began "in the beginning" and has grown and healed so greatly. Now she's generally free of anxiety attacks, self-"medication" and many other "demons" that disabled her for much of her life. Tonight was a triumph of Christ's healing in her life and the resulting overflow of blessings to others.<br /><br />I'll be thinking of you, JustMe. You're on the path, even if you're hobbled by a cast. I hope you'll take absolute advantage of this reality. That is, I hope you point to the cast and the necessary appointments and draw boundaries which will assist your healing and perhaps prompt others to take care of their own responsibilities like staffing appropriately. I wonder if they know about the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Stand on your rights and others may benefit, too.<br /> <br />Remember the Advent of our Savior on this final Sunday before Christmas.<br /><br />Isaiah 61<br /><br />Good News for the Oppressed<br /><br /> 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.<br /><br /> He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted<br /> and to proclaim that captives will be released<br /> and prisoners will be freed.<br /> 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn<br /> that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,<br /> and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.<br /> 3 To all who mourn in Israel,<br /> He will give a crown of beauty for ashes,<br /> a joyous blessing instead of mourning,<br /> festive praise instead of despair.<br /> In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks<br /> that the Lord has planted for His own glory. <br /> 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,<br /> repairing cities destroyed long ago.<br /> They will revive them,<br /> though they have been deserted for many generations.Michal Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680002305753968190noreply@blogger.com