Initially, the pain of child loss is so severe, that it is easy to wonder if it is survivable. Many women say they know, if it happened to them, they could not survive it. But, I want to tell them: Yes, you can. If I can, you can. We have no choice in the matter. … Continue reading Surviving Child Loss: Now What?
Streams in the Desert
Joy and Sorrow United
Joined in God – Streams in the Desert 8/19 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing 2 Cor. 6:10 Sorrow was beautiful, but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below. … Continue reading Joy and Sorrow United
Rejoice in the Lord
On Mother's Day Evening 2013, Jonathan Campbell Hamilton, son of Ron and Shelly Hamilton, was taken to Heaven at the age of thirty-four after a long struggle with mental illness. I have heard Mr. Hamilton sing Rejoice in the Lord countless times over many years but never knew until recently about the loss of his … Continue reading Rejoice in the Lord
Degrees of Faith – Streams in the Desert 07/21
When is the time to trust? Is it when all is calm, When waves the victor’s palm, And life is one glad psalm Of joy and praise? Nay! but the time to trust Is when the waves beat high, When storm clouds fill the sky, And prayer is one long cry, O help and save! … Continue reading Degrees of Faith – Streams in the Desert 07/21
God Meant It Unto Good
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. John 13:7 God's word teaches that a father's duty is to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. A loving father will observe his child carefully and, by God's grace, relentlessly weed … Continue reading God Meant It Unto Good
Resurrection Hope – Streams in the Desert 4/14
It was “very early in the morning” while “it was yet dark,” that Jesus rose from the dead. Not the sun, but only the morning-star shone upon His opening tomb. The shadows had not fled, the citizens of Jerusalem had not awaked. It was still night–the hour of sleep and darkness, when He arose. Nor … Continue reading Resurrection Hope – Streams in the Desert 4/14
Holding Fast
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: Job 13:15. For I know whom I have believed, 2 Tim. 1:12. "In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." This, Christian, is what you … Continue reading Holding Fast
Storms of Bereavement
“Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing.” Oh, set your sail to the heavenly gale, And then, no matter what winds prevail, No reef can wreck you, no calm delay; No mist shall hinder, no storm … Continue reading Storms of Bereavement
Something Better
A Hard Lesson... Sorrowful, Yet Rejoicing | Streams in the Desert The stoic scorns to shed a tear; the Christian is not forbidden to weep. The soul may be dumb with excessive grief, as the shearer’s scissors pass over the quivering flesh; or, when the heart is on the point of breaking beneath the meeting … Continue reading Something Better
Strength From the Sorrow – Streams in the Desert, March 11
"Weeping inconsolably beside a grave can never give back love’s banished treasure, nor can any blessing come out of such sadness. Sorrow makes deep scars; it writes its record ineffaceably on the heart which suffers. We really never get over our great griefs; we are never altogether the same after we have passed through them … Continue reading Strength From the Sorrow – Streams in the Desert, March 11
The Just Shall Live by Faith – Streams in the Desert 03/10
"Keep your eye steadily fixed on the infinite grandeur of Christ’s finished work and righteousness. Look to Jesus and believe, look to Jesus and live! Nay, more; as you look to him, hoist your sails and buffet manfully the sea of life. Do not remain in the haven of distrust, or sleeping on your shadows … Continue reading The Just Shall Live by Faith – Streams in the Desert 03/10
Bells Across the Snow
BELLS ACROSS THE SNOW O Christmas, merry Christmas, Is it really come again, With its memories and greetings, With its joy and with its pain! There’s a minor in the carol And a shadow in the light, And a spray of cypress twining With the holly wreath tonight. And the hush is never broken By … Continue reading Bells Across the Snow
Strong in Suffering
"Afflictions cannot injure when blended with submission. Ice breaks many a branch, and so I see a great many persons bowed down and crushed by their afflictions. But now and then I meet one that sings in affliction, and then I thank God for my own sake as well as his. There is no such … Continue reading Strong in Suffering
It Must Be Bought – Streams in the Desert: November 3
“They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.” Isa. 40:9 “Great truths are dearly bought, the common truths, Such as men give and take from day to day, Come in the common walk of easy life, Blown by the careless wind across our way. “Great truths are greatly … Continue reading It Must Be Bought – Streams in the Desert: November 3
After The Frost – Streams in the Desert 09/25
He emptied my hands of my treasured store, And His covenant love revealed, There was not a wound in my aching heart, But the balm of His breath hath healed. Oh, tender and true was the chastening sore, In wisdom, that taught and tried, Till the soul that He sought was trusting in Him, And … Continue reading After The Frost – Streams in the Desert 09/25
