My Final Profile Photo

[Ed Walsh]

Greetings,

I changed my profile photo. I wanted a photo that better reflects my recent posts.
Did I get it right?
Remember what I looked like before?

Here's a little song called "Better Than I Ever Thought" by Rend Collective.
It's about what I used to be–and where I'm at today.

Enjoy.

 

[Pomopu]

You look like a wise Christian saint, Ed. If I lived close by I'd grab brunch with you and let you tell me some awesome stories in your life!

 

[C4MERON]

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

2 Cor 4:16

May the Lord increase my love for Him as He does you, Ed.

 

[clawrence9008]

I hope that you and I can grab a meal or spend some time together sometime, brother.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

2 Cor 4:16

Brother, a powerful sermon by Dr Lloyd-Jones made me realise that v17 to 18 are equally encouraging. Reflect on why Paul calls our afflictions light :

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Acid Test of the Christian Profession - a sermon from Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

These light and momentary afflictions that are creating an eternal weight of glory—what is this hope Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks of in such trying times? Listen to this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:17 and examine oneself in light of such truth. What is the attitude in facing present difficulties...

www.mljtrust.org

 

[Ed Walsh]

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words of love and consolation. I assure you that it is not lost on me.
As for me, although my physical body screams in pain all the time. Often, I can hardly sleep. My inward trials are exquisite in their strength and often need hours and hours to calm down. But, if I may paraphrase verses 17 & 18, it would be this.

I Am Having The Time of My Life!

So rejoice with me and help those who do not yet see God's goodness. I usually speak in superlatives about God's attributes. He is more than good or very good; He is Goodness itself.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hi Ed,

The topic for our Bible study this evening is,

"From where, and how, will you get the strength to endure in patience, faith, and gladness when hardship, mistreatment, or pain come into your life?"

Last week the topic was,

"What is more important — what religious leaders and churches say, or the Bible? And why?"

Look forward to getting together with you in the glory! I like your photo, you've weathered well.

 

[Ed Walsh]

Look forward to getting together with you in the glory! I like your photo, you've weathered well.

I'm sure glad we didn't let our differences separate us.

"From where, and how, will you get the strength to endure in patience, faith, and gladness when hardship, mistreatment, or pain come into your life?"

"What is more important — what religious leaders and churches say, or the Bible? And why?"

Love your two studies. They sound very much like topics I would teach.

God only uses those who willingly offer and have a mind to work for the Kingdom. They are always a minority.

​

1 Chronicles 29:17 (KJV)​

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart, I have willingly offered all these things, and now I have seen with joy thy people, who are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.​

​

Judges 5:9 (KJV)​

My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.​

​

1 Chronicles 29:9 (KJV)​

Then the people rejoiced, for they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.​

 

[ZackF]

I still have (and treasure) the PMs you’ve sent in years past. What a blessing your testimony has been over the years!

 

[Solparvus]

How grateful I am to see the Lord letting you share in His own blessedness! It's a wonder to see how even during our most difficult moments, the Lord is most attentive to us, as He is to you at this moment, despite our many daily sins against Him. I think I've got a thing or two to learn from you in this moment. Thank you.
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Brother, a powerful sermon by Dr Lloyd-Jones made me realise that v17 to 18 are equally encouraging. Reflect on why Paul calls our afflictions light :

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Acid Test of the Christian Profession - a sermon from Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones

These light and momentary afflictions that are creating an eternal weight of glory—what is this hope Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones speaks of in such trying times? Listen to this sermon on 2 Corinthians 4:17 and examine oneself in light of such truth. What is the attitude in facing present difficulties...

www.mljtrust.org

I'll be giving this a listen. Indeed, it feels like acid at times, though it's good for us.

 

[Alan D. Strange]

@Ed Walsh

Ed,

I am so sorry for all that you've gone through and for how it's left you. I also rejoice with you in the preciousness of Christ, which surpasses all, including our ability to give voice to it.

May the Lord himself encourage you as you long for glory, together with the rest of us!

Peace,
Alan

 

[C. Matthew McMahon]

Your words are a testimony of grace that few can speak with such clarity in the valley of affliction. I thank God for you.

Though your body is wasting and the furnace is seven times heated, you have found the treasure hidden in the field—Christ Himself. “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction… worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:16–17). That weight is coming—and you already taste its sweetness.

Christ is not only with you—He is upholding you. “Underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). When you are too weak to lift your head, He carries you. When sleep won’t come and pain won’t break, the Man of Sorrows sits with you. He has walked this dark road before you, and now walks it with you, to bring you safely home. The River isn't deep when He's carrying you across it.

Your joy in Him while suffering preaches louder than a thousand witnesses. You show that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” There is a crown ahead—undefiled, unfading, reserved for you. And soon, very soon, the God of all Comfort will wipe away every tear, silence every groan, and give you what no eye has seen and no heart fully imagined.

We love you and rejoice with you. You are not forgotten.

 

[Ed Walsh]

I also rejoice with you in the preciousness of Christ, which surpasses all, including our ability to give voice to it.

May the Lord himself encourage you as you long for glory, together with the rest of us!

Peace,
Alan

Dear Alan,

It was so good to hear from you. Your absence from posting had me concerned after the loss of your dear wife.
I also remembered you have plenty to do. I gotta listen to more of your sermons. They are good for me.

However, only in the past two years have I discovered what fellowship with Jesus in His sufferings for the Church means. He makes everything else light and momentary. Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Thanks for writing,

Ed

I must be among the happiest men in the world. I found that when someone is blessed with the grace of a holy fear of God, all other fears are gone.