I Trust When Dark My Road

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“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Depression is my muse.  When I am feeling my worst is oddly enough when I write the best.  How does God use depression for your benefit?

[NOTE: I am switching servers for this blog in the next few days, so if things seem a little wonky or out of place, have no fear!  We'll be back....]

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“Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered…” (Psalms 105:5 ESV)

What do you remember that teaches you God is there for you?  What do you remember that seeks to prevent you from hearing God’s mercy?

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What does it mean to be cleansed of sin?  Why should we care?

This is a great post from one of the sites I regularly read. Check it out:

Prayer initiated by the Father: “O My Soul:

Prayer is a conversation with God that He begins with Baptized souls in His Word.

This understanding of prayer is not popular, taught much, or trusted even by the baptized soul. I often thought prayer started with me talking to God. I think that’s why I often quit, felt distracted, and bored with my own thoughts.

The unbaptized soul is dead to God. (alive to his neighbor but dead to God) And dead men don’t talk. So God is pleased to give life to the dead through His gift of water and Word.

Since my soul is baptized, what then is prayer?

Prayer is a conversation God our Father initiates with the baptized through His Word. My soul responds. First by listening. Then by speaking a little bit. And then by listening some more. I am learning His vocabulary; His thoughts.

This understanding of prayer has been a blessing to my soul.

When depression strikes, I feel so utterly alone. But I am not alone. I am in Christ who is my advocate with the Father. He invites me into His prayers for me and for others as well.

The appointed prayer of the week from the historic lectionary is a prayer passed down over the centuries and has been a daily blessing to my soul this past week.

Here it is. May it be a blessing to your soul as well:

O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

”

(Via O My Soul, Why So Downcast Within Me?.)

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darkmyroad10.mp3

And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” (Mark 8:4)

God excels at making great things out of nothing…