"Rejoicing in God"

[KenH]

A hymn written by Joseph Irons in Zion's Hymns. (in common meter)

"Rejoicing in God"

1. Bless, O my soul, thy Father's name -
Exalt the Son of God -
The Holy Spirit's work proclaim,
And cov'nant love record.

2. Guilty, deprav'd, and vile I stood,
Yea, sunk in deep distress;
But now redeem'd by precious blood,
And cloth'd with righteousness.

3. My God prepar'd, reveals, and gives
This precious wedding dress;
Hence I shall live, for Jesus lives,
The Lord my righteousness.

4. The FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST
Unite, the church to bless;
Henceforth my soul shall make her boast,
In Christ my righteousness.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

A hymn written by Joseph Irons in Zion's Hymns. (in common meter)

"Rejoicing in God"

1. Bless, O my soul, thy Father's name -
Exalt the Son of God -
The Holy Spirit's work proclaim,
And cov'nant love record.

2. Guilty, deprav'd, and vile I stood,
Yea, sunk in deep distress;
But now redeem'd by precious blood,
And cloth'd with righteousness.

3. My God prepar'd, reveals, and gives
This precious wedding dress;
Hence I shall live, for Jesus lives,
The Lord my righteousness.

4. The FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST
Unite, the church to bless;
Henceforth my soul shall make her boast,
In Christ my righteousness.

I’m having a hard time with this…. Just lost my wife of 38 years together. So I don’t see the point… the world is gray, I’m alone and I pray for death. Either that or Return soon so we can be united.

 

[KenH]

Just lost my wife of 38 years together

I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you during this time.

 

[Tea]

Just lost my wife of 38 years together.

Sorry for your loss, brother.

 

[Ascetic X]

I’m having a hard time with this…. Just lost my wife of 38 years together. So I don’t see the point… the world is gray, I’m alone and I pray for death. Either that or Return soon so we can be united.

My beloved wife died 15 months ago. My whole world revolved around Andrea. We met when she was assigned to be my assistant as I taught a Sunday school class in a Southern Baptist church. We fell in love immediately.

Andrea was my constant companion and my favorite theologian. We had problems with our church, could not find a better church, and sadly became hermits, needing and delighting only in each other. But that is now a severe problem. She’s gone and I’m completely all alone. With nothing to do. I sold my 22 synthesizers and only rarely make music with iPad synthapps.

Life is a hellish nightmare in many ways. I dislike the morning light coming through the window. I have no idea what to do each day. Shoveling snow is a big adventure. Drinking a honey ginger latte is a brief big deal.

When my wife was alive, every day was wonderful. We had fun just being together. She did everything perfectly as a fantastic homemaker. I should have filled notebooks with her womanly wisdom. I am mostly incompetent. Now it takes enormous effort to struggle through every action that needs to be taken. I enjoy nothing.

What can be done? Get closer to the Lord. Pray constantly. Remain thankful for 21 years together — and for every little thing that goes well day by day. Seek ways to bless others.

Cancel tv service and get rid of my television. Throw away all worldly music and books. Listen only to Christian radio. Watch YouTube video sermons. Read my Bibles and devout books. Try to be a better Christian man. In my brain foggy grief and nearly unbearable anguish, force myself to praise God relentlessly. Cry out for mercy. Appreciate the blessings I still have.

I must intercede in prayer for suffering people and for persecuted believers in Nigeria, Somalia, Nigeria, Iran, North Korea, China. And remember that not every man gets to have a godly, virtuous, beautiful, highly educated, hard working, deeply spiritual wife for 21 years.

Job 1:21

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him… (KJV)

God might kill me, but I have no other hope…(NLT)

Slay me though he might, I will wait for him…(NAB)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

My beloved wife died 15 months ago. My whole world revolved around Andrea. We met when she was assigned to be my assistant as I taught a Sunday school class in a Southern Baptist church. We fell in love immediately.

Andrea was my constant companion and my favorite theologian. We had problems with our church, could not find a better church, and sadly became hermits, needing and delighting only in each other. But that is now a severe problem. She’s gone and I’m completely all alone. With nothing to do. I sold my 22 synthesizers and only rarely make music with iPad synthapps.

Life is a hellish nightmare in many ways. I dislike the morning light coming through the window. I have no idea what to do each day. Shoveling snow is a big adventure. Drinking a honey ginger latte is a brief big deal.

When my wife was alive, every day was wonderful. We had fun just being together. She did everything perfectly as a fantastic homemaker. I should have filled notebooks with her womanly wisdom. I am mostly incompetent. Now it takes enormous effort to struggle through every action that needs to be taken. I enjoy nothing.

What can be done? Get closer to the Lord. Pray constantly. Remain thankful for 21 years together — and for every little thing that goes well day by day. Seek ways to bless others.

Cancel tv service and get rid of my television. Throw away all worldly music and books. Listen only to Christian radio. Watch YouTube video sermons. Read my Bibles and devout books. Try to be a better Christian man. In my brain foggy grief and nearly unbearable anguish, force myself to praise God relentlessly. Cry out for mercy. Appreciate the blessings I still have.

I must intercede in prayer for suffering people and for persecuted believers in Nigeria, Somalia, Nigeria, Iran, North Korea, China. And remember that not every man gets to have a godly, virtuous, beautiful, highly educated, hard working, deeply spiritual wife for 21 years.

Job 1:21

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 13:15

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him… (KJV)

God might kill me, but I have no other hope…(NLT)

Slay me though he might, I will wait for him…(NAB). And

I deeply feel the loss of my wife but my mind also feels the loss of my father when I was 12 yo…. and my cerebral palsy sister and my mother and my 3 uncles who stepped in and became surrogate fathers and brothers and then my mother, also of cancer. So I don’t know that I even believe anymore… and if he is there, let him take me cause I don’t want to live in this world anymore. I’m done with it.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you during this time.

What God!?!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

And if there is one, I’ve not seen any comfort. Quite the reverse…

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Sorry for your loss, brother.

Thank you

 

[Ascetic X]

I deeply feel the loss of my wife but my mind also feels the loss of my father when I was 12 yo…. and my cerebral palsy sister and my mother and my 3 uncles who stepped in and became surrogate fathers and brothers and then my mother, also of cancer. So I don’t know that I even believe anymore… and if he is there, let him take me cause I don’t want to live in this world anymore. I’m done with it.

I feel the same, but I crucify those cynical feelings by forcing myself to keep trusting and praising God.

My life now, the last 15 months, is completely empty and pointless. When my dear wife was alive, every day was total paradise in every possible way.

It is heroic to keep loving God even when He seems distant or even possibly angry at you. I want to destroy the works of darkness in the world and in my soul. Even though there seems to be no reason to do so, I continue to try to succeed in every little task. I fervently wish to become far more devout, pure, reverent, and holy. In spite of how my life has no purpose or happiness anymore. The love I gave to my wife, I now transfer all of it to Christ.

Since Jesus suffered so horribly for me, I force myself to accept and endure any suffering He has allowed to be inflicted upon me. Any Christian in Nigeria would love to trade places with me right now.

I Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I feel the same, but I crucify those cynical feelings by forcing myself to keep trusting and praising God.

My life now, the last 15 months, is completely empty and pointless. When my dear wife was alive, every day was total paradise in every possible way.

It is heroic to keep loving God even when He seems distant or even possibly angry at you. I want to destroy the works of darkness in the world and in my soul. Even though there seems to be no reason to do so, I continue to try to succeed in every little task. I fervently wish to become far more devout, pure, reverent, and holy. In spite of how my life has no purpose or happiness anymore. The love I gave to my wife, I now transfer all of it to Christ.

Since Jesus suffered so horribly for me, I force myself to accept and endure any suffering He has allowed to be inflicted upon me. Any Christian in Nigeria would love to trade places with me right now.

I Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that yeshave suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.f

I don’t have any faith anymore, and gone from that will be any heroic efforts. What does illuminate my day is doing for myself, with or without his help…. And since he has never helped I no longer expect any. From now on I will be totally dependent on myself.

 

[Charlie24]

I don’t have any faith anymore, and gone from that will be any heroic efforts. What does illuminate my day is doing for myself, with or without his help…. And since he has never helped I no longer expect any. From now on I will be totally dependent on myself.

I've never had to face what you are experiencing. I don't have the words.

I'm truly sorry for your suffering and loss.

 

[Ascetic X]

I don’t have any faith anymore, and gone from that will be any heroic efforts. What does illuminate my day is doing for myself, with or without his help…. And since he has never helped I no longer expect any. From now on I will be totally dependent on myself.

Since you are alive and mentally alert, I find it hard to believe that God has never helped you.

You have allowed yourself to enter a territory that I hope you can escape soon.

Denying God, relying on yourself, and abandoning faith are not going to make things better.

I wonder if you can recall a time when you had faith and experienced the joy of God’s presence, the certainty of His love, and wonderful answers to prayer.

Have you noticed that people like Joni Erickson Tada probably suffer far more than you or me, yet they somehow maintain great faith and hope? We might benefit from comparing our blessings to the horrible conditions of Christians in Nigeria, Somalia, North Korea, Iran, etc. who are being tortured, imprisoned, mutilated, and killed.

I would gently recommend reading your Bible, ignoring your cynical surface thoughts, and letting the scriptures burn brilliantly through the darkness in your heart. Psalms and the gospel of John would be good places to begin.

I struggle with faith, too, and can only toss you some tidbits from my isolation in the gloomy prison of grieving the death of my wife. I speak weakly to you through the lonely loveless swamp of deep remorse and bereavement. I bless you in spite of my feeble attempts to endure my now meaningless, miserable, and joy-depleted life. Praise God and pass the mental ammunition.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Since you are alive and mentally alert, I find it hard to believe that God has never helped you.

You have allowed yourself to enter a territory that I hope you can escape soon.

Denying God, relying on yourself, and abandoning faith are not going to make things better.

I wonder if you can recall a time when you had faith and experienced the joy of God’s presence, the certainty of His love, and wonderful answers to prayer.

Have you noticed that people like Joni Erickson Tada probably suffer far more than you or me, yet maintain great faith and hope?

I would gently recommend reading your Bible, ignoring your cynical surface thoughts, and letting the scriptures burn brilliantly through the darkness in your heart. Psalms and the gospel of John would be good places to begin.

I struggle with faith, too, and can only toss you some tidbits from my isolation in the gloomy prison of grieving the death of my wife. I speak weakly to you through the swamp of deep remorse and bereavement. I bless you in spite of my feeble attempts to endure my now meaningless, miserable, and joy-depleted life. Praise God and pass the mental ammunition.

I’m not in the mood to discuss this and so will ignore your advice. Gods done nothing for me save providing heartbrake so I’m ignoring him thank you. I seriously do not need your Christian advice to disway me from my dis belief. In fact I find it liberating. No more talks/ threats of hell, no more discussion on doctrine, no more god to cozy up to.

 

[Tea]

@Earth Wind and Fire

I understand that you are going through the grieving process and could care less what we have to say… but I would like to say something, and if you want to tell me to screw off afterwards… I get it.

I’m going through a trial myself, and I started having the same thoughts you’re having. Rather than accepting that God allowed something bad to happen to me, perhaps it would be easier to accept that maybe God doesn’t exist; that way I don’t have to be angry at Him all the time.

What I’m going through isn’t nearly as difficult as what you’re going through. You just lost your best friend. Perhaps you’re very angry at God, and you can get back at Him by renouncing your faith once and for all.

Before you do that, remember that God did give you a wife to love and cherish for 38 years. While He did call her home sooner than you would have wanted, that’s a very long time and more than what most people can say.

I see that you’ve been a member of this board for 15 years with over 35,000 posts. For me, that’s clear evidence of someone who is well grounded and truly convicted by what they believe. When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he said that he was with them in spirit, even though he was absent in body. In that way, I view this place as no different than a local church edifying and encouraging one another.

Take some time to heal, and when you’re ready, we’ll be here.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Since you are alive and mentally alert, I find it hard to believe that God has never helped you.

You have allowed yourself to enter a territory that I hope you can escape soon.

Denying God, relying on yourself, and abandoning faith are not going to make things better.

I wonder if you can recall a time when you had faith and experienced the joy of God’s presence, the certainty of His love, and wonderful answers to prayer.

Have you noticed that people like Joni Erickson Tada probably suffer far more than you or me, yet they somehow maintain great faith and hope? We might benefit from comparing our blessings to the horrible conditions of Christians in Nigeria, Somalia, North Korea, Iran, etc. who are being tortured, imprisoned, mutilated, and killed.

I would gently recommend reading your Bible, ignoring your cynical surface thoughts, and letting the scriptures burn brilliantly through the darkness in your heart. Psalms and the gospel of John would be good places to begin.

I struggle with faith, too, and can only toss you some tidbits from my isolation in the gloomy prison of grieving the death of my wife. I speak weakly to you through the lonely loveless swamp of deep remorse and bereavement. I bless you in spite of my feeble attempts to endure my now meaningless, miserable, and joy-depleted life. Praise God and pass the mental ammunition.

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[Earth Wind and Fire]

@Earth Wind and Fire

I understand that you are going through the grieving process and could care less what we have to say… but I would like to say something, and if you want to tell me to screw off afterwards… I get it.

I’m going through a trial myself, and I started having the same thoughts you’re having. Rather than accepting that God allowed something bad to happen to me, perhaps it would be easier to accept that maybe God doesn’t exist; that way I don’t have to be angry at Him all the time.

What I’m going through isn’t nearly as difficult as what you’re going through. You just lost your best friend. Perhaps you’re very angry at God, and you can get back at Him by renouncing your faith once and for all.

Before you do that, remember that God did give you a wife to love and cherish for 38 years. While He did call her home sooner than you would have wanted, that’s a very long time and more than what most people can say.

I see that you’ve been a member of this board for 15 years with over 35,000 posts. For me, that’s clear evidence of someone who is well grounded and truly convicted by what they believe. When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he said that he was with them in spirit, even though he was absent in body. In that way, I view this place as no different than a local church edifying and encouraging one another.

Take some time to heal, and when you’re ready, we’ll be here.

Who is we?