You Give and Take Away

And still I choose to say, God, blessed be Your Name. God is good because of Who He is, and I praise Him through tears of loss of a beautiful friend, a beloved wife and mother. I love you, Kim.

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
And when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
And blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

(Matt and Beth Redman)

Kenosis

In church and Bible study, "kenosis" refers to the "emptying" of Christ in Philippians 2:7. Wow, I had no idea the concept was so complex (that's Greek for ya); it seems so simple. Anyway, after having scanned essays about it, I realize I didn't fully understand or appreciate its implications. It's a whole study unto itself.

Of course, I just deleted MY WHOLE POST with a single, misplaced stroke of the keys. I thought it was Satan at work but what he meant for evil, I can turn to God's glory. Yes, it really works!! I'll spare the diatribe and just say this:

The emptier I get of myself and trappings of "me"-ism, the more I am filled up with God. We have less disposable income right now than we have had in the last several years (or maybe of our entire marriage), yet I am more thankful. My wants are vastly fewer. My contentment and gratitude are at a near-record high. As I go out, God comes in. As I decrease, He increases. And the beautiful thing is, it's happening in my husband as well. It may be sheer desperation on his part, I don't know, but if it takes depletion of our earthly goods to bring about a deeper and richer faith in God for my husband, I have nothing but praise for the hand and works of our mighty God. My husband, daughter, and I are beloved children of the Most High God, and nothing satisfies more than a deep and abiding knowledge of that most imporant truth.

Hey, did you know that you are His beloved child, too?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"Philippians 4:6