Sunday, February 12, 2023

Reflection - Paul Van Gorder - Life Is Real

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 35, "Life Is Real", Page 41.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author
 

 When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
PHOTO: When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Read: Psalm 56

In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.

Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.

Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).

Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.

When troubles call on you, call on God.
Picture posted by NME Radio - Burna Boy, ‘Real Life feat. Stormzy’
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When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Read: Psalm 56
 

 When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
PHOTO: When when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. - Psalm 56:3
Picture posted by Prayers and Petitions
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_4Wmkt0Zz1fAkdU2KnBy2CBKThqZClrMlz0ioiND4Zn5QmirXBNTsE1uNbISrLn7EqwHZNMjodln3vxYc5ZFMyoBmR_jzxIBGKfIBq0Kqi-HWBYWOGJWS3UDuMfBfsx1Y7mZgJjoBOpLupJILyBp7RxHhEyq1AHFMlHgWG8S8xkgUe1Bh5iUy9sk/s836/CYMERA_20220713_173138_1.jpg
https://www.prayersandpetitions.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CYMERA_20220713_173138.jpg
https://www.prayersandpetitions.org/psalm-563-2/


In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.


 In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away.
PHOTO: In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy had just broken the news to Linus that children cannot live at home forever; eventually they will grow up and move away. Then she said that when he left, she would get his room. But Linus quickly reminded her that at some time, she, too, would have to leave home. When this realization hit Lucy, she was shocked, but she quickly came up with a solution. She turned the TV up loud, crawled into her beanbag chair with a bowl of ice cream, and refused to think about it.
Picture posted by Heritage Auctions, HA.com
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https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path%5B2%2F0%2F3%2F9%2F7%2F20397793%5D&call=url%5Bfile%3Aproduct.chain%5D
https://comics.ha.com/itm/animation-art/production-cel/peanuts-linus-and-lucy-production-cel-setup-bill-melendez-c-1970s-80s-/a/121905-11222.s


Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.


 Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks.
PHOTO: Avoiding unpleasant circumstances is not as easy as Lucy thinks. Life's realities cannot be avoided. We may try to run and hide, but struggles and trials have a way of dogging our footsteps and eventually catching up with us.
Picture posted by Shutterstock
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYk7cw5Ame_Rd3USonYYI-9z05htVZW1Q-LuZr35iiFd3LbfnjtOhIKT4ibiTBzf7GY68c3E_JDzv7UDOf91TzFH9IQFd87Y6azP7lCuVHHgHr-Ga3ZkZByIZx2MAXJYLV5tlD7WdbEdfY3eyJGhNYwNkp6MIwB33VblCk5Go4VjDU8JyofxyOSWjp/s1500/140700583_11.png
https://www.shutterstock.com/shutterstock/photos/140700583/display_1500/stock-photo-beautiful-young-romantic-woman-in-white-dress-in-the-spring-forest-140700583.jpg
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/beautiful-young-romantic-woman-white-dress-140700583


Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).


 Instead, we should face up to our problems.
PHOTO: Instead, we should face up to our problems. The psalmist David did this when beset by persistent foes and false friends. He didn't try to minimize his danger; instead, he acknowledged the storm that was raging around him and looked to the Lord. He wrote, "In God I trust and am not afraid" (Psalm 56:4).
Picture posted by PonyHorse11 on 07 May 2011 - Psalm 56:3-4
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jq2ypKZkliOBwbF6ARCe2PzhqUnGLcVjzd9bZyzqGIMXAUsAFkdAUUahA8-rteNp48uiWIufo3ypW4FO_X2q8jxv8V9dj8Mbq7au05wzju0gwpyk7Bo61PBT3OXOx5BpQjODDSEbs3NE8121RJ_1s-MhHg2OJ_RFbYjA2fwgR0Qt3Yp3u-YeSyow/s1360/d3fr15v-63254e70-eefd-4507-a3ea-641ada3a0c58_1-1200x1360_1.png
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/6b4e0a7e-6db3-4f99-8eef-aa647a2dea34/d3fr15v-63254e70-eefd-4507-a3ea-641ada3a0c58.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzZiNGUwYTdlLTZkYjMtNGY5OS04ZWVmLWFhNjQ3YTJkZWEzNFwvZDNmcjE1di02MzI1NGU3MC1lZWZkLTQ1MDctYTNlYS02NDFhZGEzYTBjNTguanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.nOrE0Mkx4yP_GC9KpeAALTi2CL5RCZVVduJN3pMgo84
https://www.deviantart.com/ponyhorse11/art/Psalm-56-3-4-207853987


Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.


 Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience.
PHOTO: Let's follow David's example - not Lucy's. Facing up to life's difficulties may be a frightening experience. But when we trust God and draw close to Him, we'll experience real deliverance.
Picture posted by Journey Home
When troubles call on you, call on God.

Reflection - Paul Van Gorder - Life Is Real
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 35, "Life Is Real", Page 41.
By Paul Van Gorder, Our Daily Bread Author



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


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Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


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'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

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Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 

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Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
 
 
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
 
 
"He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God",  © 2018 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Shelly Beach

 Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022Reflection - He Walks with Me (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 August 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html



Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 35, "Life Is Real", Page 41.


Links


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