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Nicole's avatar

When we had my granddads funeral my cousins and I sang the song “recollection of joy” and I always thought the words were perfect for a dedication of life. It’s taken from Philippians 1. My reflection of these verses had me thinking about how Paul encourages the church in Philippi to make spiritual progress and know that suffering will come but you can still have true joy.

In my time of meditation and reflection on this verse I almost find myself convicted to write letters/texts/speak to my friends and acquaintances the same message. I think this type of affirmation is so powerful and I want to make it a habit to lovingly encourage others in their faith and good works.

Here’s the link to my cousins and I singing:

http://tinyurl.com/39kvj7j5

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Sandy Siler's avatar

Wow! Y'all did a great job singing! What a beautiful tribute to your grandad ❤️

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Amanda Hendricks's avatar

21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well

Both of these verses stuck out to me when reading this morning. These both stand as reminders to me that just because I have faith in God and maintain a strong relationship with Jesus, doesn’t mean I am exempt from hardship. It is a reminder that we should praise God in the valleys, just as we do from the mountain tops. It is hard to consider suffering as a privilege, but I think knowing that we don’t have to suffer alone and our suffering is for the best cause, to share His word and save others, is what makes it a privilege or, in my opinion, praiseworthy. The song “Highlands” comes to mind…

“So I will praise You on the mountain

And I will praise You when the mountain's in my way

You're the summit where my feet are

So I will praise You in the valleys all the same

No less God within the shadows

No less faithful when the night leads me astray

You're the heaven where my heart is

In the highlands and the heartache all the same”

How beautiful to maintain the same level of faith and praise even through the heartache that we will all inevitably face. I think when the world sees this kind of faith, they start to ask questions. Questions that may lead them to the ultimate answer…

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Sandy Siler's avatar

I'm playing catch up this morning 🙂

I like this verse:

18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true, and in that I rejoice.

I love how Paul says, "Who cares? As long as Jesus is proclaimed."

It makes me realize that we don't need to be divisive and worry about the little things. We only need to talk about Jesus. That I can do!

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