OUT OF MY COMFORT FOLDER

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: "Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all COMFORT, who COMFORTS us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to COMFORT those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Psalm 131:1-2)

There have been many a time when I have needed comfort and found it through the Scriptures.LINKS :A NEED FOR COMFORT IN MY LIFE  CLICK HERE

How-can-i-get-comfort

2014/09/reflections-on-comfort

Memorial-reflections -the death of our only son. 

God is the source of comfort

"I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners”   (Isaiah 57:18)

"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies And of the son of man who is made like grass”  (Isaiah 51:12)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psa 23:4)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,   who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.   For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. (2Co 1:3-5)

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,  comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. (2Th 2:16-17)

This past year in our Alzheimer's support ministry we were following the theme of GOD AS A SHEPHERD.  (Excerpts from the newsletter.)
Four key passages support this COMFORTING image.

1.  Genesis 48:15  "And he blessed Joseph and said 'The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the GoD who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.'
The point being made that God as Shepherd has been busy caring for our needs consistently.

2.  Psalm 23 We were reminded of David, one of the most famous shepherds of all, a faithful leader, an imperfect man who walked in The Valley of the Shadow of death, his incredible journey with so many ups and downs, and intense difficulties.
"I shall not want." the emphasis on God
leading me.  How can I lack anything?  God is the one shepherding me.  What can I ever need?

3.  John 10:7-16     We are to keep thinking about Him as our shepherd.  

4.  Rev.7:14-17      Our Shepherd will guide through eternity.  We were encouraged to HOLD ON TILL THE FINISH.

Reflecting again on the metaphor of "God as Shepherd", it brings, we as
sheep incredible COMFORT throughout life.
What is the purpose of this imagery? (Ps.23:3) To glorify the role of the shepherd, to exalt/magnify the Lord.  Happy sheep reflect on God's glory.

The ultimate goal on these reflections and meditations on God as Shepherd is to cause us to worship so others recognize his glory, character, and attributes:
                
His wisdom is on display
Strength & Power on display- He is someone who helps us fight in our weaknesses
His goodness & grace, our souls are at peace.

So how is God leading you in difficulties?  These are opportunities to explain
how God is showing himself as a good shepherd in our lives.  God's shepherding
is on display in our lives through our adversity and difficulties.

A WORD FROM MY PASTOR ON COMFORT:
The Bible not only instructs us how to think; it also informs our emotions and helps us gain a COMFORTING perspective. And of all of the books in the Bible, the book of Psalms is perfectly suited for times of trouble. In the Psalms you can identify with the psalmist as he expresses his deepest distress, and learn along with him as God teaches him how to view things from His perspective. Viewing things from God's vantage point--that is true COMFORT.

May you find COMFORT as you read these "psalms for the anxious," excerpted from John MacArthur's book " Anxious for Nothing"

23:4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they COMFORT me.
Notice that the language changes in verse 4. David now speaks directly to his Shepherd. The Lord guides us through dark valleys of distress and trouble just as through green pastures. His presence with us, through dark valleys where we find ourselves in death's shadow, helps us to overcome our fear. On these occasions the shepherd serves as our personal escort. David also acknowledged the COMFORT and protection of God. The shepherd's rod (a club worn at the belt) was used for beating off animals that threatened the welfare of the sheep. The staff was used to gently guide, and discipline, the sheep along the right path. These implements represent protection and provision. We must remember that the Shepherd knows the  path better than we do.

Note: Phillip Keller comments that during the summer months, shepherds lead their sheep up the mountains via deep ravines and valleys to alpine meadows. Then, as autumn approaches, he leads them back into the lower elevations via the same gulches and draws. A shepherd chooses this route for several reasons. First, to lead his flock to adequate meadows for grazing. Second, because it is a well-watered route with rivers, streams, springs, and pools along the way. Third, because the richest feed and best forage is found by the way of the valleys.

Practical Consideration: We do not walk alone.
We never walk alone. The Good Shepherd leads (verse 2), guides (verse 3), and escorts (verse 4) us through life. When we journey through the valleys He walks beside us. He never leaves nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He knows the right way whether we realize it or not. He will never lead us wrong

HIGH HOPES & EXPECTATIONS

One Tuesday (in 2011) started out with "high hopes" and "expectations".  It appeared our trip up to Davis on a scouting expedition would be a fairly routine drive as we headed up I-5. 

 About three fourths of the way, with Sarah driving slightly above speed limit, a large piece of luggage flew off an SUV that had just passed us.
  It bounced up & down & around like Silly Putty.  There was no way of knowing which way it would bounce next.  We slowed down to avoid it but with a big thump it hit our car on the drivers side fender. 

 After it hit our car, it burst open sending its contents all over the freeway behind us.  We pulled over just to asses possible damages and in so doing drove over the "wake-up" groves on the shoulder which were further traumatizing because of the sound they make, like one has a flat tire.  After gaining composure, we continued on our journey, arriving in Davis to a rain storm.

The Grape Vine, North Bound Toward The Valley below

                                                                         "Somewhere along the way I learned to ride as a passenger."   I always have to keep this in mind that I am not in control.  Sometimes pieces of life come flying too. There are times that I have no control over the circumstances I find myself in.  It is at these times one must trust in the God of all control and protection. 

“Because he loves Me, I will rescue him; because he knows My Name, I will protect him. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble. I will rescue him and bring him honor. I will satisfy him with long life and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:1-16
                   

LIFE GETS CRAZIER & CRAZIER

Live Life

If you wake up like this, then your day will probably be crazy.

 

Life is crazy,
and totally unpredictable...
It's going to push you over,
kick you while you're down
and hit you when you try to get back up.
Not everything can beat you.
Things are going to change you,
But you get to choose which ones you let change you.
Listen to your heart,
Follow your dreams,
And let no one tell you what you're capable of.
Push the limits,
Bend the rules,
And enjoy every minute of it.
Laugh at everything,
Live for as long as you can.
Love all,

But trust none.
Believe in yourself,
And never lose faith in others
Settle for nothing but only the best,
And give 110% in everything you do.
Take risks,
Live on the edge,
Yet stay safe,
And cherish every moment of it.
Life is a gift,

December 2015

Appreciate all the rewards,
And jump on every opportunity.
Not everyone's going to love you
But who needs them anyways.
Challenge everything,
And fight for what you believe.
Back down to nothing,
But give in to the little things in life,
After all, that is what makes you.
Forget the unnecessary,
But remember everything,
Bring it with you everywhere you go.
Learn something new,
And appreciate criticism.
Hate nothing,
But dislike what you want.
Never forget where you came from,
And always remember where you are going.
Live Life to its fullest,
And have a reason for everything,
Even if it's totally insane.
Find Your purpose in life,
and Live it!

Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/live-life#ixzz3t8Rc0uka
#FamilyFriendPoems

CHANGING SEASONS CAN BE CRAZY

CHANGING SEASONS

The changing seasons are meant to be.

They are a way for you to live happily.
The trees are like life you see.
They have to go to sleep and be protected during the cold winter months.
They turn their leaves to beautiful colors for all to see.

Then they shed them and the trees are bare.
They go into a dormant sleep to be protected during the cold winter months but in the spring new life begins again.
They feel the warm sun and spring alive with green leaves and buds to bring forth fruit or beautiful flowers.
That is how life is, you go through the different stages and different SEASONS OF LIFE.

As you go along you're journey no matter what it may be, an illness of a loved one makes you feel you are in a long deep sleep so to speak never to wake up again or be alive to enjoy all the beauty that God has for you.
But as the days and the years go by, things change like the trees do.
And you feel like you are waking up out of a dream.
You feel like the warmth of sunshine and you spring forth with life again.
You feel you can live again and the season has changed for you.
You are still on the long journey but you see it with different eyes now.
You realize that God has changed you somehow.
You see life is worth living.
You want to be alive and experience all that God has for you.
You appreciated things more and hurt less as time goes by and you realize you cannot change anything but have to grow strong like the mighty oak tree.
You cannot be bent back and forth like a willow tree.

Silky Floss Tree In full bloom

That is what God wants for you.
He gives you strength to go on.
The different changes of the SEASONS are like your life forever changing but for the better.
~Poem by Carolyn A. Hayanali

MR. CRATE: A Whimsical Childrens Story I wrote

Tues. June 24,1972  MR CRATE ~written & illustrated by Rebecca Schoof.

A whimsical story I wrote, out of boredom, for my younger brothers, two of them who were spending time in the strawberry fields earning spending money.  I or my father would accompany them for the day to make a little spending money until our next jobs.
The story takes off from the strawberry crates perspective and he describes his day in the strawberry fields.

I am a very busy little fellow.

Each morning about 6:30 in the morning I am taken from a low platform with dozens of others just like me.

Big hands, little hands, and medium sized hands help me by putting me on a small low cart with some of my friends just like me.
Sometimes I'm on top and then other times I'm not.  That is the regular routine.

Early in the morning I get quite wet but then dry off later.  When the sun comes out, I'm on the bottom where it is nice and cool.

I am often used for other things such as a battering ram for a strawberry fight, a baby bed for some little one who had to tag along, a bench for the tired, or a play house for a three-year-old.
My job, however, consists of holding the rest of me, twelve little boxes to hold strawberries and more strawberries.  It's a tough life!  Many times I am mistreated and little ones throw strawberries at me and I get real dirty.
I never get a bath either.
All day long I must ride over bumpy ground.  I creak and groan under the weight.  Boy does it hurt when someone sits on me.

The best part of the day is when we are finally full and get a satisfying look from the checker and get traded in for a punch on a ticket.  That is when the hardest part of my job is over.
We then wait and wait in stacks and get a ride to the market or cannery and then start all over again.
It's the strawberry pickers I feel sorry for though.  For the strawberries...their fate is unknown to them.  For the picker, all I give them is an aching back and tired bones but that is their problem for they have their choice or do they?
The moral of the story is...Don't pick strawberries unless you have to.  THE END 
 

JANUARY IN JUNE: NEW BEGINNINGS~1972

...And suddenly you know...it's time for something new and trust the God of new beginnings, new ideas, new energy, exciting and new surprises, a new start, a new focus, new intentions, and new results and growth.
Nothing sparks growth as surviving tough times. 

I had been hurt, I was tired, I felt battered, I longed for some kind of respite from all the physical and emotional exercises of the past year.
With graduation behind me, I looked forward to spending some time to re-connect with my family.
  I left Portland with all physical memories of the past and a clean break to spend two months of respite in Dallas with my family.
 The hopeful twinges of love still remained although getting randomly and farther apart and thoughts came and went but did not linger.
Our family moved into a huge, five bedroom, two bath, two story, victorian-like house next to the C &MA Church in a somewhat then small town-like atmosphere where everyone either knew or where related to us including the postman who delivered our mail.
  The only furniture in the house were the beds and dining room set with kitchen ware borrowed from the church kitchen and no telephone.  An empty picnic chest was my night stand. Later some living room furniture arrived. I continued to live out of my suitcase.

Dallas Ore. City Hall

We heard the bell in the city square toll out each hour through out the day and woke up to the minister playing hymns on the piano in the church next door.  We heard the alarm sounds of the fire department a block away.

THE BOYS-Late 1971

It proved to be a busy yet rewarding two months. 

I accompanied my 3 yr.-old brother to his SS class on Sundays, taught DVBS to four and five year olds, did babysitting, and went strawberry picking in the fields to earn a little extra money.  (The older boys 11 and 13 accompanied my father and I to pick) 

My sister joined us later after graduating from High School in Sun Valley.

MY SISTER

I also took advantage of this time to get my learners permit and learned to drive.  (A Chevy Nova that my sister had just acquired).
My parents celebrated their silver wedding anniversary and I was delegated to make a cake, my first and last attempt at one of this proportion.

Becky Baked & Decorated

25 years

 Candles for pillars, candy dots & flowers
and an open house at the church next door to celebrate. 

 MR. CRATE: STRAWBERRY PICKING CHILDREN'S STORY  CLICK HEREhttp://cultivatingjoy-cultivatingjoy.blogspot.com/2015/12/mr-crate-whimsical-childrens-story-i.html#.Vpv6QVJDaY4

AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART 1972

As the end of a chapter of my journey approached,

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the knowledge that God really cared for and loved me.
With some trepidation I was anticipating the senior retreat.
I was excited by finally graduating, while also,  making plans for the future.

May 25th, I noted that I had written a poem about the most beautiful love affair one could possible have.  It was the product of a challenge and culmination by one of my professors of some of the things she had presented in a lecture.  Another professors influence who wisely told me to "lap up the Lords love" and to concentrate on his love as we did a brief study of the Song of Solomon.

A LOVE AFFAIR

God and I have acknowledged our love and plight.
He has known me and loved me with all His might.
God in His splendor makes all others common and stale.
Nothing the world can ever give will forfeit this joy I sail.
God's love for me is like perfume poured out
More than this its great to know in thinking me,
To be His chosen, darling, lily of the valley,
Amongst the thorns, He has gently plucked me out.
God's love for me has touched my own world.
For, lo, the winter is past and the storm not as bold.
The flowers are appearing and the vine's in blossom.
As for concert time, the singing of the birds has come.
God's love for me is as a suitor bound to win,
For certainly He must have found some charm in me.
Out of the shadows, long prompted by longing and fears,
My heart leaped for joy, beholding an extraordinary lover.
As I yielded to Him my most sacred treasures and heart,
The blissful assurance I sought in the common had
At once turned into the most beautiful love
affair anyone could have!  ~composed by Becky
OTHER LINKS TO PREVIOUS POSTS OF THIS CONTINUING JOURNEY

DARKEST DAYS OF MY LIFE : #1 AFTER A 10 mo. engagement         

FORGING MY WAY THROUGH : #2

GALAVANTING THOUGHTS : #3

LETTER TO MY TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD SELF #4

HE MAKETH NO MISTAKES #5

JUST HANGING ON BY A THREAD #6

WHY? ANOTHER PEP TALK #7

SIGNS OF SPRING #8

WHAT IS THAT SMELL? REFLECTIONS #9

DEALING WITH LIFES STRUGGLES  #10

MARCH MADNESS IN APRIL  #11

BRIGHT SPOTS & PURVASIVE SHADOWS  #12

ENDINGS  are just part of the start of new BEGINNINGS.  As hard and wrenching as life events can be, nothing sparks growth as going through tough times.

 

BRIGHT SPOTS & PERVASIVE SHADOWS 1972

MAY,the most widely accepted explanation is that it was named for Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and growth. Her name related to a Latin word that means increase or growth.  And the month of HIS birthday.

Upon going through the events of May 40 years ago, I was disappointed in that my feelings and emotions continued to be so erratic.

I was so hoping to see that much was behind me.  The bright spots were overshadowed by pervasive dark feelings and jealousy as I saw many classmates pairing off for the upcoming Junior/Senior Banquet, the highlight of the year and engagement announcements. 
 Oh, I was not alone.  I had plenty of company.
I was going?  It was one function I was not going to miss even if I had to go alone.

At the banquet-1972

  It was my very first fancy gala event ever and I was determined to make the most out of every moment of it.
It made such an impression on me that I recounted with detail and  sketches. 

The banquet was held at Mt. Scott with a Scottish theme.  The Macleary bag pipe and drum band played while a girl danced over swords.  The atmosphere was festive as I sat at a table with mostly single faculty and staff members.
The highlight of the evening was our speaker, Dr. Haddon Robinson, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary.
The message was centered on giving thanks to God for everything (for behind everything there is a someone)  Giving thanks to God is an essential for living a victorious life.
The highlight of the evening was a nightcap of Constant Comment Tea and bee-hive honey cakes with the ladies I sat with back at the house.  It was a unique evening.
After such a momentous occasion.  Tues.May 9,1972 entry begins with this ditty:  "God is good, God is great!
            Now I thank him for this mood."
It turned out to be one of those dark days.  The struggle was great.  Bitterness and jealousy were beckoning.  Anxiousness and worry began to settle over the anticipation of upcoming finals year end details and the senior retreat.
I attempted to delve into God's Word but could not focus.  I began to seek things to be thankful for.  I listened to hymns and choruses which snapped me out of that foul melancholy mood.  I went out for walks when the weather permitted.
The next few days were stormy as I struggled.  
Then followed sunny days as Portland's clouds slipped away to unveil the beauty of spring and I was privileged to experience some respite only some of the wealthier enjoy.  I enjoyed a visit with dinner to Arthur's house.  Arthur was the young,handsome nephew of the lady where I lived.  He lived on the Vancouver side on a hill overlooking the Columbia River and on the Portland side the airport.
We enjoyed watching the boats go by and the planes coming in.

1 Peter 5:7"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

1 Peter 4:19  ^"So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

CLICK HERE FOR THE VERY FIRST ENTRY OF THIS PART OF MY JOURNEY.Darkest-days-of-my-life.html

dealing-with-lifes-struggles-1972 CLICK HERE recommended books that helped me go through this part of my life.

 

 

MARCH MADNESS IN APRIL~1972

The month of April 1972 ushered in with renewed turmoil.  The letting go of my relationship was getting very involved and I was  struggling sending me  back into an earlier phase of grieving the end of that status.

  The previous emotions and feelings were resurfacing, emerging as even more frequent encounters toyed with them.  I struggled with my thoughts, trying desperately to corral them.  They were consumed with thoughts of self.  My spiritual life plummeted.  I tried to regain that closeness with God and his Word.
I often wondered if this madness would every end and would I be seeing sunnier weather.
  This was the year, Wed. April 5 that a tornado hit the east part of the city of Portland causing a nine-mile of destruction along its path.
 I felt as dark and dismal as the rain around me.  My finances were low and I had just spent my last dollar to attend a concert and I had no place to live.
God in His sovereignty had already made plans. ( Matthew 6:8. “. . .  for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.”)  I was soon moving into a large gorgeous Victorian type house with the Alumni Secretary of the school to assist in the care of her mother who had Alzheimer's. Mornings were spent at the house in exchange for board, room, and a small salary.  I attended classes in the afternoons and evenings.

I began to feel loved and privileged, a respite for my soul, as I slowly made myself at home in this lovely place.  It appeared that I enjoyed the domestic assignments assigned to me as well as getting an introduction to AD.
I dug into the Word with renewed vigor and focused on the Psalms as disappointments came and went.
While attending Temple Baptist Church with the family I was introduced to Mr. Farrell, the owner of the Farrells Ice Cream parlor.  (To bad fb was not in existence and I did not have a camera at the time.)
Tues. April 18,1972 my life was spared.  I was within inches of being run over by a car as I was crossing the street and was very aware of God's protection over me.  Had I not stopped abruptly in the middle of the street I would not be telling this story.

I would have wished to believe that when a relationship is over, that it is over, however, with all the drama that ensued in the wake of such a dramatic turn of events. that did not appear to be the case.
The feelings and emotions returned with a vengeance as I watched from a far his return in forging his way into new relationships.
A jealous and revengeful attitude prompted me to entertain thoughts of making life miserable for him.

Sat. April 21,1972  I noted a dramatic entry.
My day began with the usual 5:30 am of spending time in the Word with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.  Sometime during this event my thoughts wandered dramatically toward the past.
  I began longing for the pleasant events of the past.  My thoughts lingered a little to long.  I began to put blame on others for my difficulties.  Idle ideas crossed my mind as to how to make life more difficult for those who were involved.  Stupid, immature ideas such as letting the air out of tires, gossiping etc.
I suddenly got the urge to start throwing books at the wall.
I grabbed my teddy bear, the last physical gift I hung unto from that broken relationship, with sudden intentions to disembowel and send it in a small coffin to his place of employment, Finley's Mortuary.
After that emotional tirade, it was as if the Lord was speaking to me "Are not I more important? " "Isn't my love enough?"
A torrent of tears ensued,  ending abruptly
Following this melt-down,
I turned to the book of Romans but lingered in the fifth chapter.  The first ten verses made a deep impression.  Paul was saying to me "keep and guard your peace with God otherwise your old state will come back."  I was encouraged to keep standing in the grace of God by faith.
I READ: Romans 5

 Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have^[ peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! ³ We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, ⁴ endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope. ⁵ This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

⁶ For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. ⁷ It is a difficult thing for someone to die for a righteous person. It may even be that someone might dare to die for a good person. ⁸ But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! ⁹ By his blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by him from God's anger! ¹⁰ We were God's enemies, but he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Now that we are God's friends, how much more will we be saved by Christ's life! ¹¹ But that is not all; we rejoice because of what God has done through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has now made us God's friends.

I was encouraged to look back on my life with the thought of my trials as an instrument to produce in me a better character and instill gratitude in my life for the way I have been led.

No further incidents of notable value incurred in April other than Teddy was either cremated or thrown in the trash, a last visible physical reminder of the past.  There followed pleasant routine events for seniors of which I was involved in.

The School Logo While I was attending

"If you love deeply, you’re going to get hurt badly. But it’s still worth it." (C.S. Lewis)

The first entry of my Darkest-days-of-my-life.  (CLICK HERE)  The first 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS mentioned in a previous post 

DEALING WITH LIFE'S STRUggLES-1972

Graduation loomed ahead with promises of change.  March brought new energies.
I began "Spring Cleaning" and packing meager belongings accumulated from the various living arrangements in anticipation of big changes.

Entry from March 15, 1972
Comments about PRAYER & PRAISE day: 
During the opening hour Professor David Needham gave a wonderful message
 on "WHY IT IS HARD TO PRAY?". 
( Professor Needham was one of my favorite professors.  He always spoke with such directness, preciseness, and understandable lectures.  They always led us into the presence of God. I learned many truths under his teaching.  His office door was always open and we were always invited to drop in if we had anything to talk about.~my sixty six-yr.-old-self)

 WHY IS IT SO HARD TO PRAY?
 Luke 18:1, We don't see answers right away.
Rom 4:20 , Eph.6:18 The size of the promise of God could be another reason it is so difficult. 
 We don't know how to put it into words.
We may be too tired or too sleepy.
There is a common principle between these verses:  Prayer is a vivid exercise of faith in coming to grips with God.  (It forces us to be honest.)
What can we do to alleviate the difficulty in our own prayer life? 
1.  CULTIVATE appreciation of who we are      and establish a relationship with Him.    John.15:15,16 

¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

2.  CULTIVATE a sense of contentment with God.  Are we disappointed in God and the circumstances he has put us in?
3.  CULTIVATE a concept of the bigness of God.  (wisdom, power and purpose of God.)


 Specific books I had been reading that year were of tremendous comfort and strength to me.

Here are reviews from outside sources:

"Sometimes it just feels like life is beating us up. We worry about our family, our health, our money, our time, and in the process we run ourselves ragged. These stressors are not a recent phenomenon, but have been with humanity since the fall. Even though The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life is over 130 years old, author Hannah Whitall Smith was aware of the age-old problems that plague humanity.

In her studies, she discovered that there is a way to handle the stressors in our life in a healthy way that builds us up instead of tearing us down. That way of dealing with life's trials is through living faithfully in the rest and comfort that Jesus offers us. True happiness does not come from an absence of difficulty, but through the loving embrace of our Savior. "

My 1956 Edition Given to me by the men's dorm mother in 1972

Andrew Hanson From the Christian Classics Library

Another Christian classic:

"Comfort is a word seldom associated with religious faith by those who are not Christians. Doesn’t religion make people uncomfortable with its demands? Isn’t life more comfortable when we just live the way we want? Who needs to worry about a judgmental God watching our every move? Even the word Jesus is enough to cause people to squirm in their seats. However, for many Christians the words Jesus and comfort are inextricably linked. In her classic work, God of All Comfort, Hannah Whitall Smith describes why faith in the Christian God leads to a comfort and joy that cannot be found elsewhere. Without Christ, life is little more than living through doubt, fear, and anxiety. In her inspirational work, Smith reminds the reader of the reality of God’s promises to his people. With Christ, doubt, fear, and anxiety are obsolete feelings. " Andrew Hanson CCEL Intern It was in March that I was first introduced to the writings of the Puritans. I had just finished reading the book by Jeremiah Burroughs, THE RARE JEWEL OF CONTENTMENT   A book that was written in 1648 by a Puritan author. " Burroughs does a wonderful job of reminding the reader that we are merely pilgrims passing through this world. That it is natural not to be comfortable here, because it is not our home. For example, he comments, “I am a traveler and I must not be finding fault; I am in another man’s house…”  He reminded me that my contentment and peace should derive from God alone, and from no earthly person or thing. Right at the start of the book, Burroughs offers this definition of contentment: “Christian Contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which FREELY submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

It was that last quote that had an obvious lasting impression on me as I noted it March 24,1972 and am now reading quotes from my twenty-two-year-old-self to my sixty-six-year-old-self.

WHAT IS THAT SMELL? Reflections from journal entry 1972

Paul wrote, "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place" (II Corinthians 2:14 NET).

The Campus Chapel

Moffatt translates (II Cor.2: 14), "Wherever I go, thank God, He makes my life a constant pageant of triumph in Christ." We are trophies of the victorious grace of God."

"When we have been around Christ we begin to smell like Him." 

First entry for the month of March 1972

It began with a notation of II Cor.2:14 and mundane ramblings of a Tupperware party I hosted and making Russian Tea Cakes.
 But what really caught my attention was reflections of a first encounter with the book of Ecclesiastes.  I had just concluded a study, whether for a class study or on my own I do not recall, however, it made a deep impression on me.  It should be required by all college students to study this book.
I noted this in my journal:
"The books aim, to show that all earthly goals and blessings when pursued as ends in themselves lead to dissatisfaction and emptiness.  The highest good in life is revering God and obeying God, and enjoying life while one can.  The last verse sums up the whole book, that God is IN CONTROL.
One of the hardest things for me to realize that God is IN CONTROL of everything and no matter what I do to gain what I want, can be taken away no matter and circumstances can change, etc.
The foundation of life is the fear of God.  I'm finding that I don't know what God demands of me in everyday life unless I read the Word of God.  I am realizing more and more that my daily life shows or corresponds with how much I've been reading in God's Word.
If I make the service of God my supreme end, then my desires will be such as God can fulfill in answer to my prayers.  So much I am learning by just reading the Scriptures.  If it wasn't for God and his wonderful Word, I don't know where I would be."  (my 22-yr.-old self)
And bringing that down to the practical, I still found myself trying to control and take back the relinquishing of my right to marriage.  Although not as strong, I still found myself dreaming about a future with that certain young man and trouble with letting go some of the emotions and feelings that still lingered on so strongly, although randomly and few and far between as time marched along.

My Twenty-Two-Year-Self

Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

¹¹ The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.

darkest-days-of-my-life CLICK HERE