SSB Sunday Gathering

SSB Gathering – January 18, 2015

Julie Anne

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Spiritual Sounding Board – This is your place to gather and share in an open format.

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Psalm 42

As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
    When can I go and stand before him?
3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
    while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
    “Where is this God of yours?”

4 My heart is breaking
    as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
    leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
    amid the sound of a great celebration!

5 Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and 6 my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,
    but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
    from the land of Mount Mizar.
7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
    as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
    and through each night I sing his songs,
    praying to God who gives me life.

9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
    oppressed by my enemies?”
10 Their taunts break my bones.
    They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

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I have a few different interpretations of Psalm 42 through music and art, the last one is more modern with captions and photography setting the tone.

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Feel free to join the discussion.
You can share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?

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photo credit: Hannah in Hawaii

23 thoughts on “SSB Gathering – January 18, 2015”

  1. Good Morning Julie Anne,
    Today’s photo makes me feel so warm. There is snow on the ground here and it should be 35 degrees later today. The warm sun and water coming up over the beach are encouraging. Thank you.

    Psalm 42, a cry out for the oppressed person. I pray for those that are oppressed for God’s strength and rescue. Keep seeking him for strength and guidance.

    “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Would appreciate more prayers. Once I finished the medication prescribed, I relapsed. I had another breathing treatment yesterday and so far it appears the asthma is gone. The virus is still there though and I have lost 11.5 pounds in 19 days. Having trouble keeping hydrated.

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  3. I loved the last video. Especially the words, “Do you hear my prayer? I have no other Savior.” That is a very scary feeling and very much describes my question when my depression sets in, like the fog in the video. I am learning that just like in the video, I must be patient and remember there were sunny days in the past and there will be sunny days in the future. I like to be reminded that others go through the same pain and still know God is with them, even in the foggy times.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Marsha, I am sure you are frustrated. Whatever is going around is very nasty and lasts a long time. I hate that you have to deal a virus that makes dealing with your asthma even harder. I know it must feel like an endless process. I pray that the doctors can get everything under control and when you are better, I hope you can spoil yourself with delicious treats to regain your weight!! 🙂

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  7. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:20b

    Ann, This little snippet of scripture speaks volumes to me when I feel like I am going into the fog. Christ is always there with us. He has walked through this world perfectly. He knows our pain and suffering and is always there for us.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Hi Ladies,
    The tough part is the war between my heart & my mind. Sure, I know Matt. 28:20 I love that verse, but it does little to comfort my anxiety or depression when I am in the depths of darkness. Ann- You are not the only one who experiences the darkness. I am glad that you feel less alone. We really need one another, to validate the ache & the emptiness that is a very real experience in some of our journeys.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I love the people who will enter my sorrow, those who don’t try & fix me, those who understand what it is like to be engulfed with despair. FWIW, I love this quote:
    “In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.”
    ― Brennan Manning, Abba’s Child:

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I still feel it. This morning at church, interestingly my pastor used the word “downcast” – the same theme from the Psalm and the songs I selected for this post. Got me all teary-eyed. It was like – “Ok, God, yes, You really do see me when my soul is downcast.” I don’t ever recall my pastor using the word downcast and he used it today? Really, God?

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  15. “Downcast” I know the “feeling” which a child of God should never have, God wants intellect and apologetic rhetoric. In my time on the convalescent hospitals, group homes and at Agnew’s, Downcast was an “oxymoron”. Christians should never be downcast, they should overcome, always and in every single experience immediately. I am often downcast at what happens to the least of these. I have seen them screwed but the corporation church, which is quite different from the Church of Jesus, but they do get mixed up. You know I did one thing right, when she grabbed that fork and went for her one remaining eye I got my hand in the way. Right to the bone that woman meant business. I still look at the scars in my left hand right between index and middle finger. I guess I remember it because I pulled the fork out of my own hand.

    She took one eye out and in some small way I stopped her from doing it again. I don’t know much of what happened to her after that. I mean this woman would shove the most interesting objects into parts of her body and it caused great damage. I know I begged God heal her, deliver her, rebuke the evil spirit in her etc. None of that had absolutely no effect. The medication, the behavioral intervention had a great deal of effect. She actually got out into the community from what I have heard. There was no mojo or other such voodoo nonsense and these people were treated by human intervention and it worked. Far better than their supernatural counterparts. I could go on but wont because I actually still believe all this utter nonsense. If that is not pathetic I dont know what is. I still believe in God.

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  16. Brian,
    Why would you think that a child of God is never downcast? I read through Psalms, David, God’s chosen king was downcast often in Psalms. He fixed his eyes upon God and kept going, but oh yah, he had some valley time. We all do.

    God does not always perform miracles and heal us like we would like. He gives us doctors for the body and mind. If a preacher says that mental disorders are all demons, run. Do not stay under such teachings. I have seen many people with many disorders that affect the mind live normal active lives with the intervention of modern medicine. It appears you have seen it too in the lady you spoke about. God be with you brother.

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  17. Julie Anne,
    God is always getting his point across. He intended for you to use the verses that he did for his purpose and glory.

    I went to a group last night at church that is being called, “The Living Room” and I could swear that from the topics that were discussed that the others had been in my living room and had access to my computer. From another threads the subjects talked about were none’s, are we a Christian nation, atheists being more Christlike than Christians. I emailed the pastor that is facilitating the discussion and asked who was monitoring my living room and computer or are these issues a much larger topic than I had thought. Since I don’t really think there was a conspiracy going on, I’m going to go with the latter.

    When one person said that we are the same people in Communist China that we are in our own homes, the pastor looked straight at me. It was the “you shouldn’t have got that divorce” glare. Why you know, he was only abusing you, that’s not so bad. He just needed to be saved. I beg to differ. Those in China are under ground. They actively keep their identity secret so as not to be martyred.

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  18. I understand where Brian gets the idea that a child of God should not be downcast-from other Christians. Now I don’t mean all believers, just the ones who say things like, “Don’t let Satan steal your joy” to a person who suffers from clinical depression or “Don’t hold on to bitterness” to a person who sets boundaries with an abusive person. I could go on, but I won’t. That is why I love the people here, who hold onto God in the midst of pain. No preaching or judging. Just love. That is how I image God works. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. RECALL NOTICE:

    The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

    This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

    This defect has been identified as “Subsequential Internal Non-morality,” more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

    Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion

    The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

    The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

    The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

    Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.

    Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

    No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control

    Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Best Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

    WARNING:Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

    DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to Prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

    – GOD

    P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee mail’!

    Because HE Lives!

    Liked by 1 person

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