Amplified Paul

For this light momentary affliction...

far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, 
...this light momentary affliction 
and often near death. Five times I received … the forty lashes less one. 
...this light momentary affliction 
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
...this light momentary affliction 
Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys,
...this light momentary affliction
in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
...this light momentary affliction
in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

is preparing for us...

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him
...is preparing for us
the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed
...is preparing for us
What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.
...is preparing for us
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.
...is preparing for us
It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
...is preparing for us
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

(2 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44,52, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

Jonah

Some of us need a storm and a fish
We've bought the tickets, and we're on our way
Somewhere, anywhere, just away
Away from that intrusive, demanding Person
Who loves us more than we want Him to
And wants better for us than we want for ourselves

Some of us need a storm and a fish
To drag us out of that grave that we're busy digging for ourselves
And back, kicking and screaming
To the life that is more real and more painful and more hopeful
Than any fantasy we could possibly write for ourselves.
Some of us need a storm and a fish

May God in His mercy send them.

Inspired by today's service at Grace EV Free of Fullerton

I looked for God intently
I sought Him high and low
He showed his glory to me
But there I could not go

I wanted all the beauty
But not the sov'reign King
I hoped he'd make me happy
Instead He made me sting

His law showed my rebellion
His light revealed my heart
I learned I was a hellion
Born sinful from the start

I could not bear to see this
I shut my eyes and fled
But though I tried to flee this
God captured me instead

He called out, "Child, where are you?"
I whispered, "Here I am."
"I cannot stand before you,
for you will surely damn."

"Your wrath is all that's owed me
I'm blacker than I know"
He silenced me and showed me
His gifts for me, His foe

He gave His Son a ransom
For debts I could not pay
So I could have a welcome
In heav'n on Judgment Day.

He gave His Spirit to me
His light to light my road
His power to renew me
And strength to bear my load

How can I flee my Savior?
I'm pris'ner of His love.
I'm bound to Christ, the Victor.
En route to heav'n above.

One day I'll see His face there
And know as I've been known
Thank God for all His favor,
Praise be to Him alone!