As my readers know, I am currently studying with Nancy Guthrie, a talented and blessed woman whose writing and speaking DVDs are blessing me right now. I recently finished her study called The Promises of God, based on Genesis, and am currently doing The Wisdom of God, studying the Psalms and Wisdom books including Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
I heard her speak last week on the Lamb of God, and how the first “lamb” in the story of Abraham and Isaac, affected one person. The Exodus Passover which affected families of the firstborns, the Day of Atonement which affected the nation of Israel, the Lamb of God whose crucifixion affects all believers, and the ultimate Lamb of Revelations which affects all of mankind. What a lesson.
Knowing her story, that she has buried two of her three children shows her maturity in handling sorrow. I bought two of her books, one of which is amazing me with her discussion of sorrow. May this bless the family whose funeral I will attend later today, and any of my readers who need these words today from her book, Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow.
“Do you really believe God is in control of both the beginning and the ending of your life, and every day in between? Evidently David, the psalmist did. ‘You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139: 15-16)’ These verses tell us that God has ordained or planned everything that happens in our world from before Creation. And though it is impossible for us to fully fathom how God knows everything in advance without taking away from our freedom or responsibility, we see His complete providential control of human history throughout the pages of Scripture.”
She reminds us that Jesus holds the keys to death and the grave. The story of Easter. He opens and He closes. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.