Brother Frank, I'd just like to say that, when I was able to call in on the prayer calls, that you, Brother Edgar, Brother Brian, Brother Merle and All of the others had blessed me so very much, I felt as if I had been to a fine church service and that I miss those days.
I will never forget you praying for the old gentleman that Brother Brain was witnessing to and he came to Christ or the leadership of Brother Edgar that kept the calls flowing in the Spirit and His freedom.
Bless All of you that were on those calls and protect you all By His Strong Hand.
As I read this verse yesterday, I also found Albert Barnes notes on this portion of Scripture and it just now reminded me of you, the prayer gang, this poem that you wrote and it's topic.
LORD Bless your compassion for others!
Quote:
"2Co 11:30 ~
'If I must needs glory' - It is unpleasant for me to boast, but circumstances have compelled me. But since I am compelled, I will not boast of my rank, or talents, but of that which is regarded by some as an infirmity.
'Mine infirmities' - Greek, “The things of my weakness.” The word here used is derived from the same word which is rendered weak,” in 2Co_11:29. He intends doubtless to refer here to what had preceded in his enumeration of the trials which he had endured. He had spoken of sufferings. He had endured much. He had also spoken of that tenderness of feeling which prompted him to sympathize so deeply when others suffered. He admitted that he often wept, and trembled, and glowed with strong feelings on occasions which perhaps to many would not seem to call for such strong emotions, and which they might be disposed to set down as a weakness or infirmity. This might especially be the case among the Greeks, where many philosophers, as the Stoics, were disposed to regard all sympathetic feeling, and all sensitiveness to suffering as an infirmity. But Paul admitted that he was disposed to glory in this alone. He gloried that he had sneered so much; that he had endured so many trials on account of Christianity, and that he had a mind that was capable of feeling for others and of entering into their, sorrows and trials.
Well might he do this, for there is no more lovely feature in the mind of a virtuous man, and there is no more lovely influence of Christianity than this, that it teaches us to “bear a brother’s woes,” and to sympathize in all the sorrows and joys of others. Philosophy and infidelity may be dissocial, cheerless, cold; but it is not so with Christianity. Philosophy may snap asunder all the cords which bind us to the living world, but Christianity strengthens these cords; cold and cheerless atheism and scepticism may teach us to look with unconcern on a suffering world, but it is the glory of Christianity that it teaches us to feel an interest in the weal or woe of the obscurest man that lives, to rejoice in his joy, and to weep in his sorrows."
