Two and one half months out:
The past week has been especially painful, with lots of tears and reflection. We have really messed up this world and this life we have been given. Everything matters, yet nothing seems to matter.
I stumbled upon this passage being read by someone referring to it as the "Code of Life". And yet it immediately reminded me of John 3:16 and it being our "Code of Everlasting Life".
I have been apologizing a lot for my tears and my grief as I try and make it through each day. This gives a better perspective for me, so I would like to share.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-17
1 A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume.
The day one dies is better than the day he is born!
2 It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
4 Yes, a wise man thinks much of death, while the fool thinks only of having a good time now.
5 It is better to be criticized by a wise man than to be praised by a fool! 6 For a fool’s compliment is as quickly gone as paper in fire, and it is silly to be impressed by it.
7 The wise man is turned into a fool by a bribe; it destroys his understanding.
8 Finishing is better than starting! Patience is better than pride! 9 Don’t be quick-tempered—that is being a fool.
10 Don’t long for “the good old days,” for you don’t know whether they were any better than these!
11 To be wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. 12 You can get anything by either wisdom or money, but being wise has many advantages.
13 See the way God does things and fall into line. Don’t fight the facts of nature.[a] Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14 Enjoy prosperity whenever you can, and when hard times strike, realize that God gives one as well as the other—so that everyone will realize that nothing is certain in this life.
15-17 In this silly life I have seen everything, including the fact that some of the good die young and some of the wicked live on and on. So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either—don’t be a fool! Why should you die before your time?
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Another really cool something I happened upon is this Gregg Laurie interview with rock artist Alice Cooper. Specifically, go to the 15 minute mark and listen to his testimony. How amazing is it that God can use anyone, even the ones we would assume have no way back to his name? We are never too far gone to run back to the arms of Christ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_GW7JL0-0k
Much love to all,
Stacey
