Anybody else in a valley?

BigWaylon said:
I know some of y’all have been praying for me, and I appreciate it. If you’d like something specific to pray for, pray for the current job opportunity I’m working on.
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🙏
 
BigWaylon said:
I know some of y’all have been praying for me, and I appreciate it. If you’d like something specific to pray for, pray for the current job opportunity I’m working on.

I had an initial interview with the company on Friday 8/18, and thought it went well. I was told they had a job they’d post in the next 2-3 weeks that seemed like a good opportunity. After hearing about it, it really does check all the boxes for me. And I think my experience should check all the boxes for them. Can’t have an official interview (believe me, I asked) until I have actually applied for the opening. So maybe that (job being posted) happens sometime between the end of this week and the end of next week?

ETA: contacted them today to see if they had an updated estimate as to when it would be posted, and was told it may be up to a month…so I continue to wait
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Keep the faith young man, it will work out for you I’m sure!
 
Wife sent me this one today…which includes these lyrics:

'Cause the God of the mountain
Is the God of the valley
There's not a place
Your mercy and grace
Won't find me again

 
Got a double-shot of encouragement at the end of church service today. Good music early on, and a nice sermon from Mark 7.

Then we wrapped up by singing this classic hymn…

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

And the last thing after the final song each week is a short passage of scripture and a prayer. Today was James 1:12, which says:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
 
On the mountain, in the valleys…there was Jesus.

 
It’s been a discouraging week. Then the Good Lord thumped me on the ear in service this morning when we sang the song Shepherd. Full lyrics:

Though I walk through the valley
And I can't see the way
When the shadows surround me
I will not be afraid

For I know You are with me
You will always provide
Though the path may be lonely
You will stay by my side
I will rest my soul
I'll trust in You alone

For the Lord my Shepherd
Leads me, leads me
And He is all I need
In the darkest valley
I know, I know
My Shepherd is all I need

Lord I know that You seek me
When I'm trying to hide
And Your love it pursues me
All the days of my life
I will rest my soul
I'll trust in You alone

For the Lord my Shepherd
Leads me, leads me
And He is all I need
In the darkest valley
I know, I know
My Shepherd is all I need

I rest my soul
In You alone
You light my way
You lead me on

I rest my soul
In You alone
You light my way
You lead me on

For the Lord my Shepherd
Leads me, leads me
And He is all I need
In the darkest valley
I know, I know
My Shepherd is all I need

The thump came when we got to these words:

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If you wanna hear it…>>> to about 59:20 and listen:

www.youtube.com

9/17/23 | Full Service | Mallard Creek | 10AM

www.youtube.com www.youtube.com


Or if you wanna hear the Gospel, listen to the whole service. 😎
 
While I'm more of a Gregorian Chant kind of guy, I'll keep you in my prayers.
 
Feel like I just took a thump to the ear with this one.

 
First song when I cranked the truck at 5a today.

 
BigWaylon said:
Sign in front of a church I’ve passed two days in a row…

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.
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Passed it for the 3rd day in a row. Keep in mind this church is 30+ miles away from my house, in a direction I never have to drive. The pavement cleaning route has taken me by there each time. Maybe it’s a (literal) sign of something about to happen.

Today makes 3 months since AT&T decided we should see other people…

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How many of you have sung this hymn at some point in your life?

It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Have you ever heard the back story? It’s a modern day Job tale. I just pray I can rejoice in my current situation as much as Horatio did in his. Our sermon today included part of this story, but here it is in full from the Wiki page:

This hymn was written after traumatic events in (Horatio) Spafford's life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody's upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.

The original lyrics in full:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!
 
 
I got this email Monday. I assumed it would be a good addition to this thread, but didn’t want to post it until I read it. Got home from church and lunch and took time to read it. Maybe one of you need to hear this message as much as I did. (Click the pic to get to the full article…and it’s well worth your time)

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I thought the whole thing was great, and really hit home. Especially liked these two sections:

God of the Valley​

My prayer for you is that you come to know the valley you are in to be God’s valley and your good shepherd to be the one who has led you there. At this very moment, you might feel more lost than ever, in deepest darkness like a shroud, but your Lord Jesus is not standing there beside you lost or scratching his head wondering what to do. It may not yet be part of your theological framework that all things, including each valley, come from God’s fatherly hand. But it needs to be. For if God is not in charge of the valley, how do you know he can get you through it?

And…

This underlying profound belief in the sovereignty of the shepherd and his providential care at every step of the way is why David sings of walking “through” the valley. Through. Your valley right now, however its oppressive walls are formed—from depression to death or a thousand other kinds of darkness besides—is not the destination but the journey. For the Lord Jesus, his path was the humiliation of his incarnation and the cross of his atoning death, and then the crown; for us too the road of walking with our shepherd is suffering now, then glory after. But whatever the valley, you are walking through it. Jesus is not up ahead asking for directions. He is not lost. He knows where he is leading you. He knows there is a way through it and out of it because that was his own experience of the valley; he has been there ahead of you and for you.
 
It’s been a rough week or so. Haven’t really talked about my actually valley much, but it’s a three level valley:
1. MIL had a brain tumor removed in March, and isn’t recovering as was expected.
2. I was laid off after ~26 years from AT&T in July, less than two years shy of being retirement eligible.
3. My son is going through some medical and mental issues.

This week it was decided that hospice would be called in for my MIL. 4+ months later and I still haven’t found a second career (I am working a temp job, that was part-time for the previous 8 years, but it’s not a career). My son had a fourth MRI for his pain, and nothing was obviously causing it. He’s pushing back on taking some meds that we think would help on both the mental and physical side.

So all that is going on, and then I get to church today. The opening song really hit home. It may have even been posted in this thread before, but I’m posting it anyway because it meant a lot to me today.



Then we had the welcome, and then this song:



Nothing against ^that^ song, but it sets the stage for the next moment I had. Our music minister does a great job of mixing in portions of classic hymns a lot of Sundays. So as He Lives was wrapping up, he transitioned into the chorus of Because He Lives.

And because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

Here’s Carrie singing that one live if you need it:



Here’s our entire service if you need something to listen to this week.

A couple highlights:
2:20 - Battle Belongs
8:35 - He Lives
12:50 - transition into Because He Lives
14:25 - pastor starts the message on the Transfiguration…excellent sermon from Mark 9

 
I feel for you brother. Don't want to talk about mine in public but in my 56 years of life I have never felt like I do now like there is no path forward, No way to advance, and no hope in trying.
 
Mr.Gadget said:
I feel for you brother. Don't want to talk about mine in public but in my 56 years of life I have never felt like I do now like there is no path forward, No way to advance, and no hope in trying.
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Hang in there man!
 
BigWaylon said:
So all that is going on, and then I get to church today. The opening song really hit home. It may have even been posted in this thread before, but I’m posting it anyway because it meant a lot to me today.
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I think the newest chant at mass today was likely from about 5 centuries ago. :)

I'll keep you and Mr Gadget in my prayers for better days ahead.
 
Mr.Gadget said:
I feel for you brother. Don't want to talk about mine in public but in my 56 years of life I have never felt like I do now like there is no path forward, No way to advance, and no hope in trying.
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Don’t know what you’re going through, but this one made me think about you today. I know I needed to hear it.

 
I know I’ve posted this one before…but it just came on the radio again. I needed to hear it. I’m certain some of you also need to hear it. Happy tears.

On your best day, you’re a child of God.
On your worst day, you’re a child of God.

Hold on to that thought, regardless of the situation.

 
Well I fell into the valley today. Not gonna bore anyone with details cause everyone has their own valleys to deal with. Was talking with the wife about it just now and she told me to get a better attitude before I go to pickup my little man up from school.

I told her that just seeing him always gives me a better attitude. She said I love him more than I love snuff. Had to laugh because it reminded me of my grandma and how she dipped snuff. The valley is low but it.helps make the peaks look higher.
 
Life is change.
I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor.
I’ve been loved and I’ve been alone.
I’ve been high and I’ve been low.
There is a constant, just hang onto that especially during the rough spots.

Sorry, I’m not an inspirational song guy, but I will say that it’s harder to be down with steel drums playing in the background.
 
GymB said:
Sorry, I’m not an inspirational song guy, but I will say that it’s harder to be down with steel drums playing in the background.
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My Jimmy Buffett station on iHeartRadio proves that to be true. 😎
 
Mr.Gadget said:
I feel for you brother. Don't want to talk about mine in public but in my 56 years of life I have never felt like I do now like there is no path forward…
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It’s there, man.

Ain’t always able to see it…might be obscured, not clearly marked or you may get cut/scratched up going through some briar thickets to get to it, but there is always a path forward.
 
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BigWaylon said:
My Jimmy Buffett station on iHeartRadio proves that to be true. 😎
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App State has a steel drum band, believe they have a performance this weekend.
Talk about weird stuff to know.
 
Wife sent me this today from her devotion…

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And then I got hit with this 1-2 punch…

 
I trust You on the broken road…

 
Ever sat through a sermon and thought…”man, that was exactly what I needed to hear today”? Well, it happened to me today. No, it wasn’t the first time…but check out the outline from today:

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If you want to listen to just the sermon, you can FF to ~17:45:

 
I needed this today…

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And if your valley is making this Christmas a little less joyful than normal, this song is for you.



TobyMac wrote it after losing his 21yo son.
 
Her mom passed a couple hours ago. She was in the house alone with her. Her mom told her she loved her last Saturday, and never spoke again.

We can take comfort in this:

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