Getting out of the hole.

Hi all. I had a better week this week, the pain wasn't as bad. I thank God that He enabled me to preach the last two weeks. Last Sunday I preached on getting out of the hole, I was probably preaching to myself more than anyone else. It is hard to preach faith when you have had a week full of despair. Below is part of my sermon.



You know God doesn’t go away when we are in a hole, we just can’t see Him because of all the darkness surrounding us. If we are in a hole and we are just looking down or around us we are not seeing His light. We have to force our heads up to see Him. Do we feel like looking up? NO! Do we need too? Yes. I had good reason to cry and moan this week, but I couldn’t stay in that place. I needed to move away from the despair and find God in the midst of my circumstances. Because it doesn’t matter how hard it gets God is always there for us. Psalm 121:1-8 I look up to the mountains; es my strength come from mountains? [2] No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3] He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. 4] Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5] God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— 6] Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7] God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. 8] He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.

If you are having a tough time I hope this helps you.

Pain.

Pain is a horrible thing. I have had a bad pain week. I hate the way it colours your whole life. You are so tired, normal everyday actions start to look like huge mountains to conquer. Depression comes along for a ride when you have bad pain. It's not surprising really when you are struggling to cope with everything.

It is at times like these I see God like the light down a long tunnel. He never leaves me, His presence enables me when I am weak. But I have to be looking to see Him, otherwise I can drown in my pain.

This week I was encouraged by reading other people's blogs. I saw that there are many others out there who also struggle with pain. Many are worse than me. It helps to get prespective when you are in danger of losing it. So tonight my thoughts are prayers are with you if you too fight the pain battle. Keep your head up, it may be the darkest now but sunrise is on the way. Surround yourselves with those who will lift you up, hold your arm up when you can't yourself. When you are weak it is not a bad thing to get help from others.

New furniture and welcome to Taggart.

I had some new furniture arrive today. I had no idea that it would arrive in pieces and I would be expected to put it together. Immediately I was on the phone to the parents who fortunately saved me by coming up to help me assemble it. I couldn't have done it without them. What is it with men? They like to work things out by themselves without looking at the instructions.

Anyway one of the chairs has a obvious chip in it, so I suppose I will have to complain about it. The easier option is not to, but that doesn't always get us what we need or what we deserve. It is nice to have new furniture, I haven't really bought much. My lounge suite I picked up off the street and it has been a real blessing to have.

I would like to welcome Taggart, a cairn terrier pup to our family. He is the new addition in my parents house and is keeping them on their toes. He is fearless and throws himself into anything especially water. Today he grabbed my small garden spade and was running around my backyard with it. It is nearly bigger than him. I am sure he is going to give my parents much joy.