Brave Heart Son

On this day Brian Lee Hood came into this world so many years ago. Being the first born most likely caused more to be expected from him. And he has not failed with his courage. Someone asked for the definition of a man one day and their definition was much different from what was expected. Sometimes a man is never seen until all that he has is taken away and what is left is the brave heart. To stand firm when the very foundations have been shaken takes great resolve. To know that when all is said and done Christ is all. To forgive and be set free. This is a Brave Heart Son.

As the Puritan Prayer expresses so greatly,

Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.

Happy Birthday Brave Heart Son

Forward lies the crown

On this day Doris Morris passed from death to life and not without a courageous battle with cancer. At age forty-seven there was much in this place to yet be lived out. Sorrow for those who will walk without her is ever present and yet Doris wins. She has arrived at the home she will live in forever and forever.

Forward lies the crown

"In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown-and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love-the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith.

Looking into the future, the Christian sees sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory. Looking yet, the believer's enlightened eye can see death's river passed. He sees himself enter within the pearly gates, hailed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit together with Him on His throne."

Charles Spurgeon

When the Morning Stars Sang

There is a desire in each heart to make sense of the things in this world that seemingly do not make sense. In the great suffering of Job he lamented his sorrow to the God of the heavens. A righteous man who was faced with the very worst happening to him. Suffering people think they need answers. Over two years ago through tragedy I entered this arena of suffering and great wonder as to why. Like Job I also lamented and in the deep sorrow thought that if I knew why, then I would not suffer so.

Two years into this journey has brought me to a broad place. To my very surprise I have realized that should the God that holds my life in his hands reveal the answer to my questions, the pain would still be here. So I, like Job, have started out with questions and have now realized on this side of heaven they very well may never be answered. This is the great question of all ages past and now, "Why does God allow his children to suffer?" and "Why does God seemingly allow evil?". Questions are always allowed, after all God created us and knows our hearts. Many people have their answers, but it is the one who has been stripped of all that gives the greatest comfort when they say there is no answer besides God himself.

When God replied to Job it was far from what he thought he would hear. In the withholding of the answers to Job's questions he would receive something far greater. God himself drew near.

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

When the morning stars sang together

And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:4,7

This I Recall

On a day not to long ago a purchase to be made required me to go back through cities I grew up in. My oldest grandson traveled with me not only on the roads, but back through a life time. All along the way memories were shared and questions answered.

Going home our final stop was the house I grew up in. Of course my heart was attached to years of memories, but to my grandson it was more about the stories I would tell him. As a little girl I ran and played in the yard, my mother and daddy lived and laughed here, my brother and sister were part of my life here and even the visits from grandparents were recalled. Most important to my grandson would be that this was the house I lived in when I started seeing his Pappy. Of course these memories are not really about the house, but the people who were loved so much in a life time. This is when I realized memories can be shared but never given away.

This I recall to my mind. Therefore I have hope.
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease. For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3: 21-23