Comments on: Faith, Feelings And Corrie Ten Boom

By: Maria Cooper

Maria Cooper — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:55:25 +0000

Hello,

I am editing a low budget documentary on several women who have gone through difficult times and how they came out of it. Unfortunately , it is not a Christian film, but there are two women who tell their stories and give God all of the glory. With that being said, I’d like to use a photo of Corrie Ten Boom alongside one of here quotes. Can you assist me with this? the highest resolution is needed,

Thank you very much,
Maria

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:25:26 +0000

Hi Rachael,

Thank you for sharing this. I want to encourage you in concert with your Mom. If you continue to meditate on Scriptures like the one you shared, God’s word WILL change you and you will gain increasing victory, joy and peace. The Word of God is powerful and does a work in us. There’s great hope for you and all of us weak sinners because we have a mighty Savior!

By: Rachael

Rachael — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 05:27:27 +0000

Thanks for this. I think I’ve heard this story before, but thanks for emphasizing the obedience first, feelings second aspect. I like this: “But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”

I think I was wondering about how to get a mindset change, and may have even asked for direction with that in praying about the issue with someone. Then I briefly brought up the issue (loosely) to my mom tonight, and she immediately directed me to James 3:13-18. I just feel so glad that she pointed out these verses to me. Even though I know that when certain thoughts come to me that they are not good, I still often let them guide my speech, which in turn bring someone down.

I am hoping the next time I think destructive thoughts of a particular nature I’ll cling to these words. There is power in God’s Word. I may not be able to produce feelings of peace on my own, but if I meditate on this Scripture, how “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere,” perhaps those feelings will follow. Sure those qualities (peace, gentleness) may not be my immediate response when the thoughts pierce, but, if I meditate on this, perhaps God will transform me through them or in some other way. While it would be more comfortable to not have THIS problem (why can’t it be something else…?), it is exciting to think that there is power in God’s Word and to think there is hope for change.

For me regarding this issue, perhaps it will be obedience first (meditating on these Scriptures, I hope), and feelings second (a mindset change, I hope…). I hope to contemplate these words in the future, anyway..

Anyway just wanted to share the excitement and relate the concept to a current struggle.

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:32:08 +0000

Hi lewsta,

I believe I heard Corrie tell this story once years ago, while she was still alive. I was glad I was able to find it. I used it in a message I gave to our campus group last week, and was moved to tears as I shared it.

By: lewsta

lewsta — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:09:13 +0000

This first appeared in her book Plenty for Everyone, an account of her travels and live the first few years after the Second German War. As I read it the first time, I had to put the book down. I’ve never read a more powerful account of true forgiveness and its healing power. Imagine if this power were fully released in our culture? The power to both ask for and extend forgiveness when we have offended one another. We would soon live in a very different world. Thanks for dragging this back out of the mists of time.

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:33:17 +0000

Hey Ron,

Thanks for your encouraging comments. I’m with you – I often don’t feel like obeying. I have found that when I pray and ask Jesus to give me the desire to do whatever it is I need to do, he comes through, tho sometimes like Corrie I need to simply start obeying.

Wendy,

Yes, if only we could always remember that Christ’s commands are not burdensome – and when we step out in faith we find that his power comes through to change us.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:12:14 +0000

That was excellent – thank you. What a wonderful example of simple obedience. Sometimes we must obey because we know that it is the right thing to do- although it may be hard. Even though the first step of obedience was simply because we knew what we must do, God can then transform our hearts as a result of that act of faith.

By: Ron Reffett

Ron Reffett — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:57:52 +0000

Wow Mark,
I must have needed to hear this today! In my devotion this morning it was all about resting faith and obedience. One of the standout statements was “God delivers through our obedience; every act of God in the history of Israel is precipitated by an act of obedience.”
I liked what you said about faith obeys and feelings follow, so many times I’m just not “feeling it” I want to be obedient but so many times my deceptively wicked heart wins out and emotions score another point!
I long to let the objective truth of God’s word govern my life and not the subjectivity of my emotions, I’m definitely a work in progress!
Thanks for another wonderful post this morning!
Blessings

Ron Reffett