I’m So Thirsty

Have you ever experienced a life situation that made you feel like you were walking through the scorching heat of a dry and forsaken land?

I’m so thirsty, I can feel it…Burning through the furthest corners of my soul.
Deep desire, I can’t describe it…Nameless urge that drives me somewhere…Though I don’t know where to go….

Have those situations left you parched and in need to quench your thirst for relief?

Seems I’ve heard about a river, from someone whose been…And they tell me once you reach it, That you’ll never thirst again…So I have to find the river…Somehow my life depends on the river…Holy river

During those life situations what do you reach for to help you get through?  Drugs, alcohol, food, shopping, work, etc. Do those things quench your thirst?  If so, for how long?  Are their effects lasting or fleeting?

Other waters I’ve been drinkin…But they always leave me empty like before
Satisfaction, is all I’m askin…Could I really be this thirsty, If there weren’t something more

Is there something more?  Something that can quench the thirst and the burning in our soul?  Something that offers everlasting effects?

Character Revealed

“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Character is something that every human possesses? And though it resides internally its effects are displayed externally.  It is evaluated and judged to be either good or bad and can determine the path for success or failure.

With that being said, a person’s character is a very important component of their individuality. And according to the scripture verse referenced above character is also something that God pays close attention to.

So what is character?

Deck of Cards

It is always humbling when the gift of imagination surprises you into a moment of pause.  A moment that causes you to stop and consider that nothing is too small or insignificant that God can’t use it to bring glory and praise to Him.

Recently I was sent a video titled, Deck of Cards, which emotionally touched me not only as a patriot, but also as a christian.  Who would have thought that a simple deck of cards could be a source used to bring comfort to a soldier during war as well as a source to bring glory to God.

After viewing the video, I did a little research on the story and found that the earliest known reference dates back to April 20, 1762 (just a little earlier then our video narrator states)  and has been the recipient of notoriety for several decades.

I also discovered that part of the deck explanation has unfortunately been omitted from the video.  However, in spite of its missing content, the video is still very worthy of viewing.  It serves as a reminder that God can use anything to bring comfort and remembrance of Himself to those who seek Him. And it pays tribute to the brave soldiers, of past and present, who have honored us through their acts of sacrifice.

The entirety of the story of the Deck of Cards will be enclosed for you to read after the video.  May you enjoy!

Threads Do Not Unravel

A Continuance of –  A Father’s Legacy

The February 28, 1944 raid took over 20 people from the watch makers shop.  Six ten Booms family members, Casper, Betsie, Corrie, Willem, Nollie, and Peter were all taken to Scheveningen prison.  Three were later released, three were not.

Tine, Kik, Willem, Nollie, Corrie, Cornelia, Betsie, Casper

Casper’s son Willem ten Boom, named after his grandfather, was ordained in 1916 as a Dutch Reformed minster.  He studied antisemitism and was devoted in his mission to share Christ with the Jewish people.  In addition to his role as a minister, he ran a nursing home for the elderly of all faiths and at the beginning of World War II (Fall of 1939) that nursing home became a refuge for Jews fleeing from Germany.  Thus began his work as a leader in the Dutch underground.

Elected to Forgive

“I forgive you,” she said as she took a step of faith towards the restoration of her marriage.

It hadn’t been an easy decision.  The last six months had been filled with a torrent of  pain and anguish.  She had felt the cut of betrayal and found that its slice ran deep.

Now leaning into the arms of Jesus she elected to forgive, fully understanding what that required.  She knew that it would take work and blinding trust.  She knew that she would have to lay down her rights, the right to retaliate, the right to accuse.  And she knew that she would have to die to self… and so she did.

Infidelity, shattered trust, betrayal, pain, rejection, insecurity, injury, anger, condemnation, injustice, vengeance, control, bitterness, her right, her will, all placed on the altar of forgiveness, all relinquished into the hands of God.

And so the healing process began and she was faithful to forgive as she trusted her God to do a good work in her.