tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post248990035721179161..comments2023-10-21T08:10:23.445-04:00Comments on The Heart of a Pastor's Wife: Facing The Winter Seasons of Life . . .Esthermay Bentley-Goossenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17353385912611151311noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-84466540465562710502009-01-07T16:34:00.000-05:002009-01-07T16:34:00.000-05:00Beautifully written! Thanks for such an encouragin...Beautifully written! Thanks for such an encouraging post.Kathy Schwankehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16575973280157910643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-83604870964973786172009-01-07T02:57:00.000-05:002009-01-07T02:57:00.000-05:00Choosing to look forward in 2009. Bless you for a...Choosing to look forward in 2009. Bless you for a beautiful reflection!Miriam Paulinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18418972749843611051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-5258999749865920322009-01-07T00:22:00.000-05:002009-01-07T00:22:00.000-05:00Kalopoieo must be a guy. You, Kalopoieo and I may...Kalopoieo must be a guy. You, Kalopoieo and I may be the only ones here who follow NFL Playoffs. I picked up on the subtle jab at Vikings fans immediateley. Very good! Yes - I am NYJets fan. 'Nuf said.<BR/>Wonderful reflective reading here. You bring to life the vital need for personal Bible study. When Christians forsake this for all thier programs, they've lost their purpose and the programs cease to serve any purpose in God's Kingdom at all. What has become of Wednesday night Bible Study? Have churches forgotten Who we serve?<BR/>Good writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-71146022953643415952009-01-06T23:48:00.000-05:002009-01-06T23:48:00.000-05:00Yes, I've heard that in MN there are two seasons: ...Yes, I've heard that in MN there are two seasons: Winter and the 4th of July. (I lived in Iowa for 4-1/2 years, so I can sort-of relate. Of course Iowa summers...well, don't get me started.)<BR/><BR/>Sometimes our lives feel like that, too. Winter and the 4th of July. I know much of my life sure has. And before I had the Lord, it just didn't seem like life was worth living.<BR/><BR/>He makes all the difference, doesn't he?Betsy Markmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13600148899348868100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-30395404850684408642009-01-06T18:52:00.000-05:002009-01-06T18:52:00.000-05:00Oh Esthermay!What a gifted writer you are. Thanks...Oh Esthermay!<BR/><BR/>What a gifted writer you are. Thanks for this awesome post, so full of truth.<BR/><BR/>I love your take on this quote.<BR/><BR/>Blessings to you and your family this new year!<BR/><BR/>PS I'll be printing this out and passing it out as well.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15495342741364402414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-34741080979050488482009-01-06T17:47:00.000-05:002009-01-06T17:47:00.000-05:00Esthermay, I remember the long snowy dark winters ...Esthermay, I remember the long snowy dark winters of northern NY when it gets so cold the snow squeaks when you walk on it <BR/>LOL! And am so thankful to be in PA now. <BR/><BR/>There will always be winter but thankfully we can wrap ourselves securely in Him and get through it.<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for sharing today.Bonnie Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00348002062378879350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-60391098726497597212009-01-06T17:14:00.000-05:002009-01-06T17:14:00.000-05:00Am I the only one who detected the humor and sarca...Am I the only one who detected the humor and sarcasm in the reference to Viking's Fans?<BR/>Other that this, you've created another excellent article.<BR/>he he he!<BR/>Well written.kalopoieohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17489462462733867086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-39728841988558455592009-01-06T16:52:00.000-05:002009-01-06T16:52:00.000-05:00This post is very encouraging to me, thank you for...This post is very encouraging to me, thank you for writing! You are so good with words!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-62967140428694874792009-01-06T16:44:00.000-05:002009-01-06T16:44:00.000-05:00I am so glad you are back to blogging! :)It's fun...I am so glad you are back to blogging! :)<BR/><BR/>It's funny viewing this from a northerner's perspective versus a southerner's. See, we long for winter, because before we know it it will be 100 degrees and humid again for months... and months... and months... :)<BR/><BR/>I have found in my own life sometimes it can be beneficial to look back, reexamine the mistakes, the hurts, the disasters, and trace the pattern of the goodness and sovereignty of God through each step - which I often couldn't see at the time. It gives me great hope to know that He will do again in the future what He's done in the past.<BR/><BR/>Great post and a great challenge to get in the Word more for 2009!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-35672740191435630542009-01-06T15:30:00.000-05:002009-01-06T15:30:00.000-05:00I'm so glad you're back! Very well written post, ...I'm so glad you're back! Very well written post, Esthermay. I have had winter in my heart before, but I tell you, it's blooming right now. It always does when I stay in the Word! You're such a blessing...thank you so much for this post! I can't wait to re-read it and soak it in again.Laurie Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10125770034519297114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-89665596850300330052009-01-06T15:19:00.000-05:002009-01-06T15:19:00.000-05:00We've had a long winter here and the most snow I c...We've had a long winter here and the most snow I can remember in a long time. It was very neat to read this with all we have gone through in the last couple of weeks. Thank you for sharing! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-86797322869948616312009-01-06T12:14:00.000-05:002009-01-06T12:14:00.000-05:00I love your blog because there is so much room for...I love your blog because there is so much room for reflection and prayer after reading.<BR/>My parents and I always disagree as to whether God allows us to go through hardships (winter) or permits is or does it to test us.<BR/>I like what you say about MATURE Christians. I don't think it really matters does it? If we are with Christ, the circumstances don't matter. I missed you over the holidays and had my mom readng some of your stuff. <BR/>Love ya!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471905414831964545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-30427801546751091022009-01-06T11:32:00.000-05:002009-01-06T11:32:00.000-05:00Thank you so much for sharing. It was so beautifu...Thank you so much for sharing. It was so beautifully and heart touchingly written.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-91643427033596784342009-01-06T11:04:00.000-05:002009-01-06T11:04:00.000-05:00This is a wonderful post. I have the printer runni...This is a wonderful post. I have the printer running...it's going on the refrigerator.<BR/><BR/>Our winter in West Virginia is no Minnesota winter. Ours is mostly chilly and wet and squishy with mud...but it's a bone-chilling cold and the mud just tracks everywhere -- sort of like those seasons of testing, it gets into the very depths of your soul and leaves evidence of its presence all over your life.<BR/><BR/>Winter is so hard for a Southern girl, even living in the "upper south." The only way I've ever been able to face it is through curling up with a blanket, hot tea, and my Bible.<BR/><BR/>And this season, as one of my dear ones is struggling...it is an especially dreary winter. The only way to face the conflicts and challenges is to turn to the One who has our lives in His strong hands.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing your beautiful words of encouragement!Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811756366902296711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-76265214551294074642009-01-06T10:17:00.000-05:002009-01-06T10:17:00.000-05:00Beautiful photo of your yard. We don't see ice li...Beautiful photo of your yard. We don't see ice like that on the trees here in MO too often. Very beautiful. <BR/>And a beautiful and fitting devotion for the new year.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18069046018983952268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-61200347080736167952009-01-06T09:48:00.000-05:002009-01-06T09:48:00.000-05:00We need to learn to dress for the season because l...We need to learn to dress for the season because like it or not they will come. We can fight it or learn to drive properly in it with Jesus at the wheel. Thanks for sharing today it was great.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02652234142945839138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-54148559532083529332009-01-06T08:52:00.000-05:002009-01-06T08:52:00.000-05:00welcome back! I loved reading this today and the ...welcome back! I loved reading this today and the analogy of earthy winter was perfect. You are such a beautiful writer Eshermay, and your blog blesses me each time!<BR/><BR/>God's Word is the only thing that sustains us during those times. Like the disciples trying to bail water out of the boat, we try and try to fix things ourselves when we just need to go to our Savior!!sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16558961544260341038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17856112.post-3223559319051764452009-01-06T01:08:00.000-05:002009-01-06T01:08:00.000-05:00A wonderful post, Esthermay. Timely for me but I'...A wonderful post, Esthermay. Timely for me but I'm sure for many others as well. Your heart for your readers to know God's Word and His heart are so evident. Thank you. You are a blessing! That one link has every possible language you could ever need to study the Bible. Amazing.<BR/>Happy New Year!Solacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764434433400433899noreply@blogger.com