Don't wish for no afflictions

Don't, I repeat, wish for no afflictions. Jeremiah Burroughs in his book The Evil of Evils says "lack of afflictions comes from God's wrath." When God says in Hosea 4:14 "I will not punish their daughters when they commit adultery," he is turning Israel out of the house.
Missionary martyr Betty Stam died violently in China. During the Boxer Rebellion there was a great deal of hostility toward foreigners, and though she and her husand knew soldiers were coming, they were not able to escape. Here is a poem she wrote that profoundly expresses that God is in the afflictions of the believer:

I'm Standing

I'm standing, Lord;
there is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night.
Where is the way?

I'm standing, Lord;
The black rock hems me in behind.
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid.

He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace.
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.

I'm standing, Lord;
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset - these rocks are Thee!
And, since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing.

Another Gem from Robert E. Lee

"Neither violence nor harshness should ever be used in child rearing, and the parent must bear constantly in mind, that to govern his child, he must show him that he can control himself."

A Personal Note

This morning I gave my blog to God. When I was born again in 1981 I gave my dream of writing to God. "I don't want to write unless it for your glory," I told my King. Seeing his majesty had transformed me. So, my blog belongs to God. If I can pass on some of the truths that encourage me, and they encourage you, and God is glorified, I will be happy.

Tongue Weapons

One of the most powerful weapons of Satan is the tongues of his followers. Psalm 52 says to the evil man: "Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you workers of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right."
In the May 9, 09 issue of WORLD magazine, Marvin Olasky gives "four deadly questions" to counter the ranter of evil:

1. What do you mean by that?
2. Where do you get your information?
3. How do you know you're right?
4. What happens if you are wrong?

I want to tuck these in my pocket for further use.

Wisdom of Robert D. Lee

"I know how prone we are to censure and how ready to blame others for the non-fulfillment of our expectations. This is unbecoming in a generous people, and I grieve to see its expression."