This morning I googled your name having just read your “Gift of Pain” story in the book Be Still, My Soul. What a great story, and you mention in the first line you never read a poem extolling the virtues of pain. I wrote one recently having been though sadness and pain in my life. There is a blessing in pain for everyone I believe.

THE BLESSINGS OF TRAGEDY

This tragedy I deal with, it seems more than I should bear.
The unrelenting anger, bitterness, lies, and then the denial of it all,
I’ve gotten more than my share.
Repentance! would take this all away.
But, the pride of self for the narcisst, is devil strong the pro’s say.
A word for those who don’t believe this, and say this its not possible.
Gods principles in the Bible are true,
Refuse to love the truth, and God will delude you!

So what about me? The reciever of this abuse.
Maybe I just deserve it, maybe there’s just no excuse.
I’m thankful I’ve learned to set some boundaries,
Yet still be able to bend.
Cause on and on and on it goes ,
there seems to be no end.
Maybe its so I know what suffering is, so to understand Jesus on the cross.
Maybe I really needed to, suffer a great loss.
Well its really been a blessing!
It was good to be helpless, needy, and sad.
I needed this to discover my own blindness,
so this tradgedy of lies hasn’t been all bad.
This discovery of God, overwhelmed me!
And then He absorbed me and everything I called mine.
And for the first time I knew Him,
When I sought the God of all time.

Lyn

Thank you, Lyn. I’ve been re-reading the book of Job recently, struck again by the profound eloquence of that ancient book, while also aware of how the false comfort of Job’s friends has been repeated in various ways by well-meaning Christians. You’re well on the way. Job’s friends thought he “deserved it” too–and were flat-out wrong.
Philip

Where did Jesus say to stay away from churches? That’s news to me.
Philip

Brigth, like always. You can see the small things of God in everywhere that you go. I believe that is what I appreciate most about you.

Now I gonna visit here all the time.

Thank you for everything,

Dani

I’m a big fan of your writing, especially those that address adversity. I’m getting ready to try my hand at publishing a new site and weekly newsletter. It, too, is on surviving adversity. You book on disappointment with God was especially meaningful to me while I trudged through my valley of adversity. I’m no longer there and apparently you aren’t either. . . hard to find disappointment with God where you are waking up each morning.

Our site is a panelist site and I would dearly love to re-publish some of your writings dealing with adversity and disappointment with God. Is there anyway I could correspond with you personally?

Thankful for your journey in life and sharing it with us,
TL

Tim, I tried writing to you and the message was returned as undeliverable.
Philip