Memory Monday: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

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 have received from God.

For next week? I'm thinking I'll learn Psalm 116:12-14.

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Most of you know that Toben and I started a blog this past week to share more about our crazy marriage, our continuing journey of dealing with mental illness. It's been good, but hard. 

It's not really a question of bravery to share our story so openly; it's more a question of obedience. Of fulfilling our vow to God to live out our marriage and all we've been through and still go through in the presence of all his people. 

In the midst of the worst of it, I prayed Psalm 40:1-3. A lot. 

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, 
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

And part of God's redeeming this ugly, hard thing is to tell others about it. To "lift up the cup of salvation" as Psalm 116 says, to sing the "new song" he's given us, to point the way to God's mercy and goodness and grace in the midst of something broken and ugly and painful. It's how he continues to redeem it.

***

Did you post your Memory Monday verse? Leave a comment with a link to your post. Want to join in? Click on the Memory Monday button over there in the sidebar and you'll find all the information you need to join in!

Comments

[Amy @ Hope Is the word]

I participated for the first time today!
http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/memory-mondaycolossians-31-17/

[Lina]

Good morning!
I too pray Psalm 40:1-3 regularly. I cannot forget what He's done for me and I know He intends for others to benefit.

Here is the link for today:
http://lina-unveiled.blogspot.com/2009/02/memoryn-monday-and-its-raining-again.html

Blessings!

[Tammy S.]

I've posted...
http://wonbyone92.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-monday_23.html

I've been reading the blog you and Toben have started. It's amazing to see how God has worked in both of your lives and your marriage. Thank you, to both of you, for being so open and honest.

[Lora @ By the Lamp Light]

Joanne, I am so blessed by your witness and the blog you and Toben have started. I love your line about obedience. I praise the Lord that He has allowed our paths to cross.

My post is up!http://bythelamplight.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-monday-baby-oh-baby.html

[Robynn's Ravings]

Thank you for your willingness to share and your openness. Very hard. Many of us have walked some hellish paths. But the gates of hell will not prevail against us! GOOD, GOOD NEWS!!

[Bobbi]

I'm present and accounted for...eventually, I'll move on to a new verse!!

[Michelle]

Psalm 40 is one of my favorites...God is so good.

[Kate]

I've posted for today.
http://katecanady.blogspot.com/2009/02/here-it-goes-for-we-do-not-have-high.html

[stephanie]

http://herdofsteph.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-monday.html

Mine is posted - not terribly successful, but it's there. :)

[Lisa]

My post is up.

http://lisaslittlesliceoflife.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-monday_23.html

I think I'll work on Psalm 40:1-3 for next week. It seems particulary timely!

[Lori]

Here!!! sort of ;)

http://perfectreverences.blogspot.com/2009/02/memory-monday.html

[Peggy]

Blessings Joanne...I'm so glad I stopped by to your Memory Monday and learned about your new blog! Looking forward to catching up and reading every post!!! My husband and I did not survive our marriage (though we are only separated), but he has diagnosed me as having bipolar disorder.

Before I left home, I had received all kinds of medical help & spiritual as well and I do not recall anyone labeling it as such. But a year ago, I ran across something on line that led me to more & more, and I decided that perhaps he was right. Since I'm here away from my drs., I have not been on meds, since they have to be regulated and watched carefully...so I've done quite well since the early 90s with God's help! I clearly learned many coping mechanisms throughout my life yet if I look back at some of my more troubling times and my depressions, I can see the symptons. I plan to learn alot from your sharing and I know two blogs that have many great resources:

Nancie (in her sidebar)
http://lifewithbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/

Marja Bergen (an author like you)
http://marjabergen.blogspot.com/http://www.livingroomsupport.org/about/

[Cindy Beall]

Great stuff!

Oh, and yeah, we're totally up for a meeting in Denver!!!! Can't wait to hug your neck.

[Cindy Beall]

Wait, that is assuming you are a hugger. I am a hugger. Lemme know...

[Katy Lin]

hello again! i'm late (again), but i'm here! :) http://101greatadventure1001.blogspot.com/2009/02/4-24-scriptures-in-12-months-memory_24.html

thanks for doing this! :)