tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267957661711513898.post5187966499443825936..comments2019-11-21T17:59:22.149-05:00Comments on Loving Deb Smith: They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee awayLoving Deb Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08068743853588668406noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267957661711513898.post-58571201493234614812007-08-01T23:12:00.000-04:002007-08-01T23:12:00.000-04:00Dear Deb: The message you posted yesterday made m...Dear Deb: The message you posted yesterday made me feel like I was sitting in the congregation listening to you give the Call to Worship on any Sunday Morning. My, how things change!!! Remember when you spoke about being a thread and the Lord weaving what seems to be a tatter into a beautiful tapestry? I have held to that, a word from my Father, given through you, my sister. I love you.<BR/><BR/>I would love to get together and catch up on things, but I understand that your time is not your own for the most part. I know you are being well cared for and I know that Jesus has you in his hands. Don't you know that you, going through the refiners fire, are pure as gold by now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8267957661711513898.post-28201320534941584512007-07-31T16:37:00.000-04:002007-07-31T16:37:00.000-04:00Hi Deb, Tom and Fam,The transcription of Deb's Cal...Hi Deb, Tom and Fam,<BR/>The transcription of Deb's Call to Worship from Isaiah 35 reminded me of the scripture that says,<BR/> <BR/>"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who <B>for the joy set before him endured the cross</B>, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.<BR/> <BR/>I can't help but think that this suffering, the wretchedness of your current affliction(s) is your "enduring the cross"...for the ultimate joy (heaven) set before you. Jesus did his suffering KNOWING what was to come...when you are given a diagnosis of cancer, you certainly MUST (in some way) mentally "brace yourself" for what is to come.<BR/> <BR/>While I am not so trite as to think you can (in your pain) "count it all joy", still, at some level, can there be SOME semblance of joy knowing that the ultimate end to your suffering (and ours) is heaven and FINALLY getting to be with the One who made all this (life) possible?<BR/> <BR/>I am praying for you ALL, upholding you in my prayers and in my heart...daily...hourly...moment by moment.<BR/> <BR/>Love and many MANY prayers,<BR/>Paula ClouseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com