Ephrem my dear friend, despite all the crushing circumstances which you have no idea about, I have never been so joyous and content in all my life. Ya know why? Because my joy and contentment have nothing to do with the circumstances of this life. God is using all this overwhelming adversity to drive me deep into His arms. The 12th chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews verses 4-11 ESV: The writer has just finished with his famous “hall of faith” where he catalogs the sufferings of those who have gone before who were eagerly longing for the very promise that we now live in. [quote]4-In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5-And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6-For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7-It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8-If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9-Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10-For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11-For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. [/quote] Every tear I shed brings me closer to Him. I sleep like a baby, awaken with His praise on my lips and His peace in my heart. A trade I will vote for every time. You have no idea of this Ephrem and it does appear to you unbalanced and maybe even insane. I understand. Because like I’ve been telling you since you and Mike were using me as guinea pig way back when. (and you thought I didn’t know =] ), You are a dead man. A walking talking corpse laboring under the curse of father Adam. You CANNOT see me, or anything else, but especially yourself, from the standpoint of life. It doesn’t have to be. My prayer for you continues. (and will while I’m still breathin) I hope after you get done stomping around your room and cursing my name you fall to your knees and find the same unthinkable grace and mercy in the life of the living Christ that He has so abundantly showered upon me. He will transform you forever. You know what I really respect about you? (one of the things). You WILL read this whole post, including the passage from Hebrews.
Mak, not surprisingly and for all the same reasons I have been presently declaring to Ephrem, your ZEEROH understanding policy continues unabated.