Poem: John 16:29-33

John 16:29-33
By: Quina Parchment

"Ah, yes,
now we understand
You are God,
the omniscient,
sent from God,
and we believe."

"Do you now believe?
you will very soon
abandon Me,
you will
leave Me
alone.
Do you truly believe?
But My hope is not in you
and your faithfulness
My comfort comes
from My Father's presence
though you scatter
and leave Me alone
I will not be
alone.
And though I know
the certainty of your failing Me,
I have spoken these things
that in Me
you may have peace.
I want to give you My peace,
though you fail Me.
When you face tribulation
you will have peace
in Me,
for I have overcome
this world
and your unbelief."

Honors Thesis Complete!

Song in mind --->  Joy

USF Honors College Thesis title (completed April 2011): 
God and Suffering: Engaging Two Methods of Interpretation to Analyze the Theological Perspectives and Purposes of Suffering Expressed in the Book of Job

If you would like to view the thesis, I would personally recommend you to only read Chapter 3 (Grammatical-Historical Critical Analysis of the Book of Job) because it strictly focuses on the book of Job and the themes of suffering and theology.

I will probably post segments of Chapter 3 (eventually) for the edification of whoever decides to read it...

Pictures (thanks, Mom!) of the thesis defense at USF (4/22/11):

the committee

Pastor Mike came :D

thankful for the support and encouragement :)

Gollum/Smeagol = Old Me/New Me

more on indwelling sin (thanks to Sarah-Jo)...
LOTR

"Master looks after us now."
"What?"
"Leave now and never come back."
"No."
"Leave now and never come back!"


"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh..." (Romans 8:12)


Leah Smith song to go with it called "Monster"

Poem: Hannah (1Samuel 1:1 – 2:11)

Hannah (1Samuel 1:1 - 2:11) 
By: Quina Parchment

The LORD had closed her womb,

He closed her womb

He did not keep Hannah from

unfulfilled desire

distress and hurt

He closed her womb.

He ordained her pain

            on her way to worship

            on her way to worship

Every year

was the same:

longing, no child

watching, no mercy from her rival

How could she eat?

She wept bitterly

How can You withhold

from me

my good desire

my good desire…

Her husband loved her

couldn’t understand,

wasn’t he enough?

wasn’t he enough?

worth more than ten sons?

All your food and wine

won’t fulfill me.

She arose

            Come.

She arose

I have no portion in this life

apart from You

I have no need to hide

my deep distress

I come.

She vowed a vow and said,

            Look on my affliction

            LORD of hosts

            Remember me,

                        I am Your servant

            Don’t forget me

                        I am Your servant

            If You’d grant me a son

                        for I am Your servant

            I will give Him to You

                        he will be Your servant

Take,

take

this desire that runs strong

in my veins

this desire

that hurts

good desire

unfulfilled

this pain

Take,

take my longing

and give it if You will

and I will give it back

in worship

for my desire is Yours

this too is for You

She wouldn’t leave her Master’s presence

Oh Hannah

            silent sister

Eli saw you

            but you saw only your God

            you saw only your God

My heart speaks

but no sound

comes from my mouth

My lips move

but no sound

comes from my mouth

My tears will worship

You will interpret groans

Eli took her as drunk

but she honestly confessed

her condition was much

more overwhelming

            My spirit is distressed

I will honestly say

where I am today

Why should a plastic mask conceal

my troubled soul

my troubled soul

I have been pouring out my soul

before the LORD

So here I am,

with great anxiety

and vexation

pouring out my soul

before the LORD

Oh Hannah,

            silent sister

            broken

            open

            pouring out your soul

Go in peace

May the God of Israel grant what you seek

May the God of Israel grant what you seek

I am also your servant,

servant of God,

May I find favor in your eyes

favor

though man consider me despised

I will arise

when you strengthen me

to stand and eat

for Your joy fulfills me

You are my portion

with nothing yet from Your hand

I will rejoice

I will arise

and worship

Early, I will worship

before You

She returned

And her husband knew her

God remembered her

Elkanah loved her

God did not forget her

I ordained

that you would be grieved

that you would want a good thing

want a good thing

And I would

more increasingly be

your everything

your every good thing

And I would be

            your portion

            your very good thing

And you would

run to me

your joy

your fulfillment

And you would not be

            deceived to believe

            your hope was in a gift

            for your hope is in Me

I ordained

            that you would worshipfully mourn

            and petition and see

            I hear your prayers

            and I am moved

            in My sovereignty

            I am moved

            and I remember you

            my servant,

            my servant

I am your good thing

She kept her vow

and her faith was proved genuine

she nursed her child

and gave him

back to the LORD

He is the greatest good

my joy

and my son, my Samuel,

will be His servant

I have been heard by God

and I am satisfied

I am known by God

and I am satisfied

Samuel

so young

he was the LORD’s

Hannah’s gift had come

and he was the LORD’s

No silence this time

she came

with a bull, flour, wine

her Samuel she gave

and the temple was filled with

loud praise

Eli worshipped

Hannah prayed

I must not

Withhold this thanks

I can’t

for what you’ve given me

has shown me

who You are

You’ve fulfilled me

I overflow with joy

not in the gift

but in Your salvation

yes,

Your holiness

perfect wisdom

sovereignty

omniscience

Your compassion

how You care for the lowly

You know me

Oh, You know me!

I exalt in Your strength

I worship You only!

The LORD had closed her womb

            silenced her voice

            opened her heart

            and her hand

He was her portion

Oh Hannah,

            silent sister

how you were heard

and remembered

by your Lord.