Comments on: When Things Go Wrong http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:14:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 By: Nancy Ann http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-117953 Nancy Ann Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:36:50 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-117953 Hi Cindy, When we used the Rare Jewel (as well as many other books we went through together), I created outlines for each chapter. After creating a general outline in my first reading, I read it over again making notes and applications on my copy of the outline. Then the ladies read the chapter, came to the study, and we worked our way through it together. I would summarize each chapter and add any thoughts or applications that I came up with, and this usually led to conversation/discussion. Hope that helps! Blessings, Nancy Hi Cindy,

When we used the Rare Jewel (as well as many other books we went through together), I created outlines for each chapter. After creating a general outline in my first reading, I read it over again making notes and applications on my copy of the outline. Then the ladies read the chapter, came to the study, and we worked our way through it together. I would summarize each chapter and add any thoughts or applications that I came up with, and this usually led to conversation/discussion.

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Nancy

]]> By: Cindy http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-117952 Cindy Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:16:06 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-117952 Diane wrote above: Nancy, When you’ve used “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment,” did you create a study guide for it? If not, how did you use it in a group study? How did you use this book? I've been leading Precept Upon Precept Bible studies for a long time and thought to try something new. Can you write more about how you used this book? Many thanks for your time. Diane wrote above: Nancy,
When you’ve used “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment,” did you create a study guide for it? If not, how did you use it in a group study?

How did you use this book? I’ve been leading Precept Upon Precept Bible studies for a long time and thought to try something new. Can you write more about how you used this book?

Many thanks for your time.

]]> By: Grace http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-39114 Grace Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:08:21 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-39114 Megan Lindsay, What a great comfort to read your post. I'm stunned and humbled that you care. Thanks for your encouragement and prayer. What a sweet, sweet thing that you teach your daughter, a display of His splendor, to have Godly perspective. Her affliction may just give her "eyes to see" like none of us who have vision do. What a good reminder...that if faith is believing what is unseen, when feelings, grief and thoughts are unbiblical, we have to cleave to Scripture, thanking Him for what good He's up to when by all appearances things look everything but good. Isn't that the story of the Gospel? It's VERY weird to feel like the fabric of who I am is so wired for motherhood, but not be able to carry children (yet, at least). Counting it all joy, I get to faith-rest not only my heart, but my very being...trusting that He has a good purpose for creating me to be a wife and to yearn (rightly) for motherhood, whether He gives me born children or not. Easier said than done, some days. Thanks for caring about people rallying around us, as I hope they did for you. We see grace upon grace at every turn. Thanks also for praying for us...While we submit to His will, we continue to present our requests before the throne, that He might someday fill our home. Covenant succession is so dear to our hearts. Indeed, our only hope is that the Gospel is, in fact, true. You're extraordinarily kind and generous, Megan. Blessings and blessings to you and your family. May you trust Him evermore... Love, Grace Megan Lindsay,

What a great comfort to read your post. I’m stunned and humbled that you care. Thanks for your encouragement and prayer. What a sweet, sweet thing that you teach your daughter, a display of His splendor, to have Godly perspective. Her affliction may just give her “eyes to see” like none of us who have vision do. What a good reminder…that if faith is believing what is unseen, when feelings, grief and thoughts are unbiblical, we have to cleave to Scripture, thanking Him for what good He’s up to when by all appearances things look everything but good. Isn’t that the story of the Gospel?

It’s VERY weird to feel like the fabric of who I am is so wired for motherhood, but not be able to carry children (yet, at least). Counting it all joy, I get to faith-rest not only my heart, but my very being…trusting that He has a good purpose for creating me to be a wife and to yearn (rightly) for motherhood, whether He gives me born children or not. Easier said than done, some days.

Thanks for caring about people rallying around us, as I hope they did for you. We see grace upon grace at every turn. Thanks also for praying for us…While we submit to His will, we continue to present our requests before the throne, that He might someday fill our home. Covenant succession is so dear to our hearts. Indeed, our only hope is that the Gospel is, in fact, true.

You’re extraordinarily kind and generous, Megan. Blessings and blessings to you and your family. May you trust Him evermore…

Love,
Grace

]]> By: Megan Lindsay http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-38862 Megan Lindsay Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:49:35 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-38862 Grace, I am so sorry you are enduring this extremely painful trial. I also have lost children, and I know how tempting it is to feel alone and afraid in that pain. I remember a well-intentioned friend dismissively telling me that I shouldn't worry because God was in control. I knew very well that God was in control; what I was struggling to grasp was that He still loved me. What I needed to be reassured of was that His control wasn't that of a despot, but of my tender Father who was strengthening my faith. I really hope you are seeking comfort and courage in the Father's love for you, and that like Jacob you are wrestling with God until He blesses you. The Lord knows whether blessing will come in the way you most desire, or in another unexpected way. But He wants you to wrestle with Him because He wants to know that you love Him. So I pray that you can keep going. And I hope you have a really great cheering squad on the sidelines. An elderly friend once reminded me after I lost a child that the Lord Jesus fights for us, and especially in those moments when we are weak and the enemy is whispering discouragement and hopelessness in our ears. As Nancy reminded, He will never leave us nor forsake us in this fight of faith. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble. Sometimes we have to remind our 6-year old daughter who is blind that it is good for her to rejoice in her blindness, because God chose her for such a purpose. Out of all the people God could have chosen to reveal His glory in through blindness, He chose her. And He has called her to rejoice in her afflictions because they draw her to her Savior in ways most of us can't even imagine. He is holding her hand every step of the way. "You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:9-10) Sorry for such a long post, but my heart breaks for you and I hoped to pass along some of the encouragement I've been given. I will pray for you. Grace, I am so sorry you are enduring this extremely painful trial. I also have lost children, and I know how tempting it is to feel alone and afraid in that pain. I remember a well-intentioned friend dismissively telling me that I shouldn’t worry because God was in control. I knew very well that God was in control; what I was struggling to grasp was that He still loved me. What I needed to be reassured of was that His control wasn’t that of a despot, but of my tender Father who was strengthening my faith.

I really hope you are seeking comfort and courage in the Father’s love for you, and that like Jacob you are wrestling with God until He blesses you. The Lord knows whether blessing will come in the way you most desire, or in another unexpected way. But He wants you to wrestle with Him because He wants to know that you love Him. So I pray that you can keep going. And I hope you have a really great cheering squad on the sidelines.

An elderly friend once reminded me after I lost a child that the Lord Jesus fights for us, and especially in those moments when we are weak and the enemy is whispering discouragement and hopelessness in our ears. As Nancy reminded, He will never leave us nor forsake us in this fight of faith. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble.

Sometimes we have to remind our 6-year old daughter who is blind that it is good for her to rejoice in her blindness, because God chose her for such a purpose. Out of all the people God could have chosen to reveal His glory in through blindness, He chose her. And He has called her to rejoice in her afflictions because they draw her to her Savior in ways most of us can’t even imagine. He is holding her hand every step of the way. “You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:9-10)

Sorry for such a long post, but my heart breaks for you and I hoped to pass along some of the encouragement I’ve been given. I will pray for you.

]]> By: Maggie http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37849 Maggie Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:56:09 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37849 Thank you, Crystal, for your encouraging words and prayers. I'm so thankful that we can rest assured in the Lord's tender handling of each of our lives. Accidents like the one your pastor's wife had and what Cindy has had are all part of His work in our lives. An above comment likened our difficult times and struggles to labs that the Lord uses to work out our faith. I think the rub is found in the fact that I'd really prefer to pick out which "labs" to attend. Control is an illusion, but I eagerly run after it anyway. I'll check out the website you mentioned and look into adding both books that Nancy mentioned to our library. Thank you, Crystal, for your encouraging words and prayers. I’m so thankful that we can rest assured in the Lord’s tender handling of each of our lives. Accidents like the one your pastor’s wife had and what Cindy has had are all part of His work in our lives. An above comment likened our difficult times and struggles to labs that the Lord uses to work out our faith. I think the rub is found in the fact that I’d really prefer to pick out which “labs” to attend. Control is an illusion, but I eagerly run after it anyway. I’ll check out the website you mentioned and look into adding both books that Nancy mentioned to our library.

]]> By: Grace http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37775 Grace Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:55:06 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37775 Thank you, Nancy. Your blog was a timely reminder. I've miscarried 4 times, recently losing a baby late in the pregnancy. At this point, my womb is a graveyard. It seems like there's an assumption out there that every reformed Christian marriage should fill their home with kids (assuming they all can). I understand that miscarriage/loss is included in what Scripture calls a test or a trial, but I'm wondering if there is anything in Scripture that speaks to miscarriage in particular. Thank you, Nancy. Your blog was a timely reminder. I’ve miscarried 4 times, recently losing a baby late in the pregnancy. At this point, my womb is a graveyard. It seems like there’s an assumption out there that every reformed Christian marriage should fill their home with kids (assuming they all can). I understand that miscarriage/loss is included in what Scripture calls a test or a trial, but I’m wondering if there is anything in Scripture that speaks to miscarriage in particular.

]]> By: diane l. vaughan http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37762 diane l. vaughan Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:45:53 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37762 Nancy, When you've used "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment," did you create a study guide for it? If not, how did you use it in a group study? Sounds like a great book to use the next time we start a new ladies study. Nancy,
When you’ve used “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment,” did you create a study guide for it? If not, how did you use it in a group study? Sounds like a great book to use the next time we start a new ladies study.

]]> By: Crystal http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37748 Crystal Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:38:45 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37748 I read your post Maggie and I ached for you and this family. A few years ago, my pastors wife had a bad accident while riding a horse. She ended up in a coma with the medical opinion that she was not "supposed" to live. She did, and many, many miracle's later, she is still with us. She is healing slowly, but she is such a blessing to our church just as she is, wheel chair and all. Her story may be encouraging to you right now. Her father started a web site about her story. The address is helpantonia.org When a really close friend of mine was going through a hard situation with their premature child, I was reading the book Nancy mentions above, "All things for Good" by Thomas Watson. That book made a world of difference in my perspective. Knowing what other Christians have suffered through faithfully was a real strength to me. It helped me to be faithful to my friend in many ways despite what seemed like wrenching circumstances. Blessings to you Maggie. I will pray for you, Cindy and her family. I read your post Maggie and I ached for you and this family.
A few years ago, my pastors wife had a bad accident while riding a horse. She ended up in a coma with the medical opinion that she was not “supposed” to live. She did, and many, many miracle’s later, she is still with us. She is healing slowly, but she is such a blessing to our church just as she is, wheel chair and all.
Her story may be encouraging to you right now. Her father started a web site about her story. The address is helpantonia.org
When a really close friend of mine was going through a hard situation with their premature child, I was reading the book Nancy mentions above, “All things for Good” by Thomas Watson. That book made a world of difference in my perspective. Knowing what other Christians have suffered through faithfully was a real strength to me. It helped me to be faithful to my friend in many ways despite what seemed like wrenching circumstances. Blessings to you Maggie. I will pray for you, Cindy and her family.

]]> By: Linda T http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37746 Linda T Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:18:24 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37746 We all need to hear this over and over again. Last week or so I was trying to help my 16yr old daughter with a particular struggle in her life. (It's been ongoing for a couple of years.) I reminded her of the command in James to "count it all joy" when we face trials. I used the analogy of a "lab" for her - a time set apart to practice what you've learned. Labs can be short or long; easy or hard. "Faith labs" all have the same end-goal - learning to look to the Lord for grace, strength, and wisdom so that we can grow to be more like Christ. As we do this, we learn to take joy in Him. We all need to hear this over and over again. Last week or so I was trying to help my 16yr old daughter with a particular struggle in her life. (It’s been ongoing for a couple of years.) I reminded her of the command in James to “count it all joy” when we face trials. I used the analogy of a “lab” for her - a time set apart to practice what you’ve learned. Labs can be short or long; easy or hard. “Faith labs” all have the same end-goal - learning to look to the Lord for grace, strength, and wisdom so that we can grow to be more like Christ. As we do this, we learn to take joy in Him.

]]> By: Maggie http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37733 Maggie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:45:04 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/02/27/when-things-go-wrong/#comment-37733 Goodness, I posted the above post before my morning coffee and it shows! Sorry for the spelling errors and such;) Goodness, I posted the above post before my morning coffee and it shows! Sorry for the spelling errors and such;)

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