'Coincidence = a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance'.
I prefer to believie in a sovereign God who ordains and organises every moment for His glory.
Case in point:
Yesterday I wasn't feeling great - had a doctor's appointment and decided to take rest of day off. After my appointment, went for coffee in Leichhardt. Ordered my Latte and grabbed a book to browse through.
At a nearby table I overheard 2 guys talking about the topic of suffering. Suffering in the Christian context. I tried not to eavesdrop, but it was really hard, given my interest in the subject matter.
Anyway it turns out that one of the guys was Byron Smith, whose blog "Nothing New Under the Sun" I regularly read. Byron went to college with one of my close friends. So I decided to sms this friend to tell him the weirdness of sitting in the coffee shop listening to this conversation.
My friend immediately sent an sms to Byron, drawing his attention to my presence.
So I pretty much had to introduce myself. We had a brief chat and I left feeling very much better and very encouraged.
For those of you who are interested, I think the main message is that whilst there are many hypotheses regarding why suffering exists, the answer to suffering is the good news of Jesus Christ.
NAVIGATING LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN WITH BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Favourite Quote
- "Life is hard. God is good." John Piper
Words of Encouragement
"God gives even what he demands."
Augustine
Augustine
Other blogs to visit
PERSON FIRST, ILLNESS LAST
Bipolar Disorder is the name used to describe a set of conditions where the individual experiences mood swings between two opposite poles. Bipolar Disorder used to be known as 'manic depression'.
The highs of Bipolar Disorder are called mania or hypomania. The lows are called depression. Occasionally people can experience a mixture of both highs and lows at the same time giving a mixed picture (also called mixed state)
With the right treatment, most people with Bipolar Disorder are able, to varying extents, to live normal and productive lives.
Websites I visit
Scripture
- 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Hosea 2: 14 -15, 23 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards and will the make the Valley of Achor a door of hope...I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one'. I will say to those called 'Not my people' 'You are my people' and they will say 'You are my God'."
- Ezekiel 27: 4-6 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' "
- Luke 18:16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
- Matthew 8:26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
- Psalm 88 But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why oh Lord do you reject me and hide your face from me?
- Lamentations 3: 22-23 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness
- John 10: 27-30 reassurance
4 comments:
That's great Jill. I went to uni with Byron too - he's a great bloke!
Talk about six degrees of separation - everyone seems to know him. Have you read his blog? I think it's one of the best 'theology' blogs out there. My friend Jaime, who you met in the UK, went to Moore with Bryon. Jaime says he was clearly the smartest guy in the class.
I have a link to Byron's blog on my home page. It is well worth a visit.
Hope all is well with you. Thanks for reading
J
Erin & Jill - how do you know each other?
Erin and I met at St James Croydon 3 years ago, just before she headed o/s
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