Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Faith Triumphs


The Barn
April 23, 2006
April 8, 2006



“She called his name Benoni (son of sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand) Gen. 35:18

To every matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob though weeping the mothers loss, could see the mercy of the child’s birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials,our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson’s lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous flowerets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil. Dark clouds distil bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most disadvantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar. About us all there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times like Jacob, to cry, “All these things are against me.” Faith’s way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from thee worst calamities. Like Gideon’s men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth the more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honour, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the light of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Benoni to be our living Benjamin.


I read this devotion this morning from Spurgeons “Morning and Evening” (It was the one for March 8th). What a truth to my heart. After I read it, I just lifted up my hands to the Lord, so be it! This is my prayer from the depth of my soul that God would continue to give and increase my faith beyond the grave, to my living Joel!! He is more alive than we are. Joel sees face to face, not through a glass darkly. Joel is experiencing fullness of joy and pleasures for ever more! This year the resurrection takes on new meaning- Life!!! Dying brings life. In nature God has given us a beautiful picture of this, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)

I read this yesterday- Ps. 63:2 “To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” May the Lord demonstrate his power and glory in this trial. Also Ps. 63:5 “My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.” This is my prayer for my heart!

I’m finding for me anyway that it is just an everyday looking out the window of faith, to the gates of heaven. At first I just wanted my heart to be all fixed and for the Lord to fix our family, but as the days linger on, it is all by faith. It is truly amazing and inspiring the way scriptures seem to speak now, it’s like my eyes see differently. That bit of my mind and my heart that is looking at eternity. The scripture is true, where your treasure is there will be your heart also. Oh I miss Joel so desperately, but within my heart there is that hope and anticipation of God’s will being accomplished! Thank you for your continued blessings of encouraging words, prayers and communications with our family.

Farm update…… baby goats everywhere! Two on Friday, two on Saturday and one on
Sunday. So far 3 does and 2 bucks. I give praise to Bethany, she is a bonafide goat midwife! Right there helping those little things come out, using her little pullers on one, cleaning them up. She even knew because of checking the ligaments by their tail that the babies were more than likely going to be coming! Andrew was her right arm man handing her this and that. Anna was the second by second photographer! If you need any pictures of goat births let us know, we have over 100 pictures! I thought you might enjoy seeing some farm stuff. The boys built the barn; it’s so wonderful for all the goats. Bethany has run Elijah and his cows out!!

Joshua turned 9 on Wednesday. He had a “Rustler” party with hamburgers, hotdogs, and root beer! He got real cowboy chaps from Little Joe’s in Stockyards City. And now we have a birthday break until June!

Josiah is so precious! I’m so grateful for his little self. To still be able to hold and touch a 3 year old! He talks of “Bally” a lot and wants him to play with him. He’s quite a bit more affectionate now; I enjoy his sweet mommy this and that. One day he was saying mommy over and over, I was doing something and he said “you’re not listening!” He was making us laugh the other evening during our family time. Terry started reading the passion week of Jesus in the scriptures last night, after he finished, Terry said “now what did you get out of that?” Siah proclaimed loudly “NOTHING!” The Lord is giving him a fresh new little personality! May the God of all grace and mercy call each of our children and give them the gift of faith early in the dawn of their hearts!

Terry is waiting for a copy of the medical records from the hospital to proceed with the death certificate issue. Please pray the Lord would give help to this situation.

Don’t give up on the DVD. Things happened that we didn’t anticipate and just getting all the software running has been a challenge! The Lord answered prayer as we were having trouble with our computer. The boys had met David Savory a few months ago, they had helped him work on a house on his property. Since that initial acquaintance they have helped him with his barn and really struck up a friendship! I have met his most sweet wife and it is so neat, it’s like we’ve known each other for years the friendship happened so quickly! Anyway we had a little bit of info of Mr. Savory’s background. He worked with Microsoft traveling all over the world. Computer expert!!!! I suggested to Caleb and Daniel to call on him and see if he could help us out. He came over many nights and so far so good! All this is to say, isn’t it wonderful of the Lord that he allows us to meet the people along the way that we need and how he orchestrates his plan. Providence is the truth here! We are so grateful for David and Vicki! We love our new neighbors that live only 5 miles from us!


May the Lord bless your homes and hearts!

~Cindy

2 comments:

Candy said...

You both are a light in the darkness.. I have known you both for 25 to 30 years never would I have imagined the examples you would turn out to be.. God has always been number one to you but to see it in every word that you speak or think is amazing to me.. You possess some of the qualities that I may never possess forgiveness,understanding,and patience. You have truly been a blessing.. I check this blog everyday hoping to see something new even if it is just a hello.. You are always a witness to everyone you come in contact with.. Praise the Lord for the both of you and the miracles of life that God has placed around you and in your life....Look at all of the lives you have touched through Joel.. God sent him here to be that Angel and now he will live ETERNALLY......

Candy Bowen

By the grace of God ... said...

So enjoyed seeing a new post ... and goats! We may have to ask your resident expert about them.

I'm glad that the Lord has blessed you with Josiah, may he continue to be a comfort to your heart. He sounds darling!
Praying for you all ... God Bless!