seraph

Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, pastor Saeed Abedini and Nosratollah Khosravi, whose name had not been previously made public, were to be flown from Iran to Switzerland aboard a Swiss aircraft and then transported to a U.S.... ...In return, the U.S. will pardon or drop charges against seven Iranians - six of whom are dual U.S.-Iranian citizens - accused or convicted of violating U.S. sanctions. I've been praying for Rezaian, Hekmati, and Abedini to be released (I wasn't aware of Khosravi)... not sure what the ramifications of pardoning the 7 Iranians are, though.

I love this song! I just added it to my playlist yesterday when I was feeling a bit inconsequential. I drove up the mountain, parked in the silence under the stars, and blasted that song (and many others) to praise and to pray to God.

This last year my late fiance died five days after his 49th birthday. It was untimely. We prayed and he got worse and worse. He suffered a lot for a long time, and I suffered along with him. Why did it play out like that? I have no idea. What I do know is that God's promises never fail. Ever. He hears our prayers... and answers them according to HIS will. We may not understand why He answers in the way He does because we are not all-knowing and can't see all of eternity and how everything will play out. We can trust that the way He answers our prayers is in LOVE cuz that's who He is. I know my late fiance is in heaven, completely healed, without suffering... he was praising God up until the end... even when he asked me, "Am I dying?" He never gave up his faith, always knew God loved him, and always felt blessed despite what he was going through. He may now have the answer to the "whys" that I don't. God did have mercy on him despite the suffering he endured... Jesus Himself suffered, so who are we to escape it?! I just know God is good and I trust Him completely.

Clearly, we all know life is not perfect... that said, I've been through the worst times of my life the last couple years and especially the last several months have been absolutely horrendous... when I think things can't possibly get worse, they do. BUT... I do know that regardless of what anyone goes through, first and foremost we need to put God first. However unbearable it seems, you can bear it with God's strength. We may not know why it's happening - maybe because of our choices, maybe because of the choices of others that affect us, maybe just because we live in a fallen world - and we may not understand why God allowed it or maybe we'll understand it in hindsight... but we do know God loves us and wants what is best for us. Find comfort and guidance in His Word... "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 and in His Holy Spirit... "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:26-27 in His people "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another..." -1 Thessalonians 5:11a in prayer "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God." -Philippians 4:6 and in praise and service to Him. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." -2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Know that you can trust His promises "Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass." -Joshua 21:25 and be convinced that in Him you can more than overcome what you're enduring. Do not let your faith be shaken. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:37-39 Music really helps me to get my mind focused on God... this is one of my playlists I just made because I was feeling absolutely broken, crying out to God for His peace and guidance... He hears our our prayers and praises from the depths of our despair and the heights of our joy... God is good http://www.worthychristianforums.com/topic/194855-whats-on-your-playlist-and-why/?do=findComment&comment=2298871

This is not for all y'all, but here's my Christian hard rock playlist when I need to get my angry out and refocus on God Very therapeutic while driving fast on twisty mountain roads, though I don't necessarily recommend that. scream it out! playlist Sick of It by Skillet Breathe Into Me by Red End of Me by Ashes Remain Not Gonna Die by Skillet Memory by Decyfer Down All Around Me by Flyleaf Monster by Skillet Lights We Burn by Nine Lashes Comatose by Skillet Unbreakable by Fireflight Hero by Skillet Nerves by Icon for Hire Free by 7eventh Time down Awake and Alive by Skillet Rise by Skillet

I am really shy as well. I cannot just go up to people and start talking... there are people I work with that know nothing about me and what I've gone through... like you, they misinterpret the quietness and being private as being unfriendly. IF they talk to me... I don't keep the real me trapped inside, I'm pretty genuine, but I may not feel comfortable with them for a year or it could be pretty quick (I think that depends on who they are)... so if asked, I may or may not open up or trust them. There are times when I wish I could speak up but can't, but I don't think it prevents me from being who God wants me to be... there are people that need to be witnessed/ministered to by someone with a quiet, shy nature.. that's how I was... if someone came at me with the gospel too in my face, I immediately would shut down and hear nothing they had to say. One thing to keep in my mind, if it's interfering with your witness you need to do something about it and a friend had mentioned to me it's not good being on either extreme of being too concerned with what others think of you - egotism or timidity. A couple things that helped me was getting involved in teaching youth group and a parliamentary debate club. You just gotta keep practicing until it gets less awkward. I still forget a name 10 seconds after I meet someone because I'm feeling so awkward lol... I have to really, consciously make myself remember the name.

I was having trouble, too. I downloaded the Dolphin browser app from Google Play and it works. Edited to add: I have had to clear the cache on Dolphin, but it does work again where Chrome and Firefox wouldn't (and whatever the default for Android is).

In my life? Yes... that wall has come crashing down on me once again. In my walk? My faith is not shaken. Edited to add: I think I'll just stay away from walls from now on.

Los Angeles Unified School District, which is comprised of over 900 schools and 700,000 students, has closed schools due to a credible terror threat regarding nerve agents. LAUSD Terror Threat (LA Times) FYI: the high school I work at is in LA County but not part of LAUSD. My university is on "high alert."

Los Angeles Unified School District, which is comprised of over 900 schools and 700,000 students, has closed schools due to a credible terror threat regarding nerve agents. LAUSD Terror Threat (LA Times) FYI: the high school I work at is in LA County but not part of LAUSD. My university is on "high alert."

Broken Hallelujah (Lyric Video) - The Afters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3DudOzV4k

Cool... listen close enough cuz I have it loud enough driving through the mountains you should be able to hear it echoing all the way to you. I'm taking another drive up there tonight.

You're welcome.

"broken" playlist on YouTube by Ser aph (~2.3h) this is the playlist i created to play full-blast as i drive up the mountain to sit and watch the stars go by and sing and cry out to God Worn by Tenth Avenue North Come As You Are by Crowder Just Be Held by Casting Crowns You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim Broken Hallelujah by The Afters By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North Keep Making Me by Sidewalk Prophets Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher Through All Of It by Colton Dixon Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave You Never Let Go by Matt Redman Great I Am by Phillips, Craig, and Dean Shoulders by for KING & COUNTRY Your Words by Third Day (feat. Harvest) Where I Belong by Building 429 Drops In The Ocean by Hawk Nelson The Proof Of Your Love by for KING & COUNTRY Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong United 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) by Matt Redman This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickman Open Up The Heavens by Meredith Andrews Fix My Eyes by for KING & COUNTRY Words by Hawk Nelson Thrive by Casting Crowns Glory To God Forever by Fee Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets Touch The Sky by Hillsong United Lay Me Down by Chris Tomlin Soul On Fire by Third Day (feat. All Sons & Daughters) Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains) by Crowder (feat. Tadashii) Greater by MercyMe God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion) by Newsboys

Worn by Tenth Avenue North

Love this song! If only every Christian had a fire in their heart to glorify God and shine their light to the world! Let your light shine! Let your light shine!

Beautiful. I love the praise and worship here.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this song!!! I like her interpretation as well... enjoy and praise God!

That's wonderful! Happy and blessed anniversary to them!!!!

They don't want to drain it, because it is risky. He had eternal bleeding from motrin abuse,and had transfusion. Which stopped the bleeding. He has severe thyroid disease. They say liver did not failed. There concern is the lungs. I think the breathing machine is supposed to drain the fluids, but not sure. I imagine the breathing machine causing the lungs to expand and contract will help (decreasing fluids and getting oxygen to his organs)! And yes, removing the fluid with a needle can be risky if they are having issues with bleeding. (again as far as I know as I am not a medical professional)

I went through the same thing until he was at the last hospital. They kept telling me "He will be fine if he takes his medication," which I knew was not true. He was taking his medication and he was not fine. The medication was no longer being processed, so why they didn't just tell me that? or even know that? I don't know, but it was infuriating. I would always prefer the painful truth upfront. ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.... if they can not or will not answer, ask someone else. Demand to speak with the doctor, the social workers, whoever... talk to the nurses. Ask what happens in most cases like your husband's. Ask them what they would do. Ask what you should prepare for. Ask what is likely the best case scenario and the worst case scenario, ETC. PRAY for God to show you clearly what you need to do. In my case, I had asked for a prognosis and most would not tell me anything. I found a nurse that was honest with me even though they "shouldn't" give their opinion. I was grateful for someone to finally tell it like it is. I really think the staff there just were not equipped to deal with ESLD. When he was transferred to the last hospital, they were very upfront with me... the nurses explained things. The doctor explained things very clearly when there was still hope and then when there is not. You can't make decisions if the situation is cloudy.

Tigger, I just went through making decisions... horribly difficult decisions... in ILJ's situation. ILJ had cirrhosis (i.e. end stage liver failure). This is what his situation was (from my understanding as I am not a doctor/expert) and it may or may not relate to your husband's as each case is different: For a while, things were managed. A scarred liver cannot heal itself, but can be maintained. Unfortunately, his deteriorated more. The liver was no longer producing Albumin which allows the blood to clot. With minimal clotting, fluids seep out and into the lungs. The fluid can possibly be removed, but without clotting, they will fill again. If they become too full, the lungs collapse. Even receiving oxygen, if there is not enough space in the lungs to take in the oxygen, the oxygen level will be low. He also had low platelets. They gave him many transfusions, but the platelets became "trapped" and would stay around 10,000. At this level, there is a risk for internal bleeding. They informed me thoracentisis (removing the fluid from the lungs with a needle) would likely cause him to bleed out. At this point, I had to make decisions whether to continue treatment or not. Again, this is just what I was faced with and may not relate to your situation... but I can relate to what you are going through, so feel free to talk to me about anything.

I love the DC Talk version of In the Light, but I am loving this acoustic version by Charlie Peacock who wrote the song. …shine like the stars in the heavens… Philippians 2:15 Thank you Proof for sharing the link with me. https://youtu.be/j_aMSjlOFno

I have had a couple that I would not even post. Oh I know! Neverrr!!! haha

Sometimes I do not understand sarcasm. I had briefly thought of prefacing my remarks to note the sarcasm but didn't. Well, I learned sarcasm doesn't always come across clearly! I was trying to figure out if you were being serious or sarcastic here, but I'm guessing serious. From now on I'll try to remember to note it!