Heart of the

Problemby Mark Hamby

Dear Mark,I had hoped to see you again before I was

transferred to the State Prison. I am the guy who played the guitar in the prison chapel after you shared what I conceived as a very powerful message. In fact, I was and have been very much moved and inspired by the presentations. On two occasions you didn’t even have a black board to illustrate your teachings, yet I can visualize so vividly what you clearly showed me on the invisible, make believe black board. You also gave me a book, The Hedge of Thorns, I believe this was the title which was also inspiring to me. I also believe now that God, in His amazing wisdom has taken me out of the world that I was suffering in with temptation, sins and desires. These prison walls do not imprison me, the steel bars and razor wire are actually God’s hedge of protection so that I might grow, strengthen, and learn in the ways of his word before I face the challenges of the world again. And so I believe you are right. What a terrible prank God has pulled on me, to get me to see, listen, and learn; his methods are ingenious. He did the only thing He could in his effort to protect and save me!

I was looking very much forward to seeing you again. I had written a song to play and sing.

Please do not stop in your efforts to bring the word to prisoners. I’m a hard case Mark, I spent 23 years of my life in prison. If I heard you and your message touched and moved me. Believe when I tell you, you did move a mountain! The rest should be easy pickins for you.

Thank You Mark! J.L. Prisoner of the Lord

Just wanted to let you know I finished reading "Giant Killer" to my kids last weekend and started Basket of Flowers Sunday Night. We are really enjoying these books. Last night my kids had the choice of watching a half an hour of TV, playing video games for half an hour or having me read an extra half an hour to them and they chose reading a Lamplighter book. They knew I was going to read to them at bedtime anyway, but still chose the extra half hour of "story time". I was very excited to have my 9, 7, 5 and one of our neighbors kids (also 5) all want to sit around my living room while I read a couple chapters of Basket of Flowers. If they could have stayed awake, we would have read until midnight. They love this book and so do I. Lamplighter ministry is having a tremendous, positive effect on me and my family. Grace is flourishing in our home.

George

1. The Presence precedes the plan. Younger people have asked me how they could know God's plan for their l ife. The saints of old were concerned not with the plan but with the Presence. When we have a guide, all we need to do is fol low. Without the Presence we attempt work for God instead of letting God work through us. Fénelon said: Put aside your self-interest and simply let God's wil l unfold around you. Everything he does for you is for your good. Worship him without having to know and see everything. Continue doing the good things that you do since you feel that you should and you can do them so easily. Be careful that all your extra energy does not lead you into trouble and, above all , l ive in the present moment and God will give you all the grace you need. God's glory and his purpose are the end of all things. You will f ind happiness and deliverance but not as an end in itself . It is al l for God.

2. Self-love is subtle."You will be tempted to speak out in a humble tone of voice to tell others of your problems. Watch out for this. A humility that is still talkative does not run very deep. When you talk too much, your self-love relieves its sense of shame a little."

3. Suffering is useful.Suffering is necessary for all of us. You will be purified by dying to see your own desires and will. Let yourself die. You have excellent opportunities for this to happen. Don't waste them. . . . God never makes you suffer unnecessarily. He intends for your suffering to heal and purify you. The hand of God hurts you as little as it can. The yoke that God gives is easy to bear if you accept it without struggling to escape.

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:32-33

Ashes are the food that I eat,

My drink is mingled with tears,

Because of your fury and anger,

Since you have raised me up

only to cast me away. David sounds a little bitter…Job

thought the same until he heard God speak…

Psalm 102: 9, 10

When Isaiah caught a glimpse of God he said,

“Woe is me! I am shattered! For a person of unclean lips am I…For my eyes have seen Yhwh the King.”

The closer we draw to God, the more clearly we will be able to see our own sinfulness.

Once we see ourselves from God’s perspective, we begin our journey to spiritual health. P. 80 In the Depths

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.”

Isaiah 38:17

It is more important to know the presence of God than to seek the will of God, because when you walk in His presence you will more easily find and understand His will.

Romans 12:2

Yahweh has leaned down from the heights of his sanctuary,

has looked down from heaven to earth,

to listen to the sighing of the captive,

and set free those condemned to death. Psalm 102: 19, 20 NJB

4. One test of relation with God is peace. "Encourage peace, become deaf to your overactive imagination. Your spinning imagination will harm your health and make your spiritual life very dry. You worry yourself sick for no good reason. Inner peace and the sweet presence of God are chased away by restlessness."

"Peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Remain at peace, for peace is what God wants for you no matter what is happening. There is in fact a peace of conscience which sinners should enjoy as they are repenting. Suffering should be peaceful and tempered with God's comfort.“

And regarding the future: "Live in peace without worrying about the future. Unnecessary worrying and imagining the worst possible scenario will strangle your faith."

“There never is peace in resisting God . . . . Allow yourself to be humble. If you are silent and peaceful when humiliating things happen to you, you will grow in grace."

5. Growth and change are the work of the cross.The work of the cross--redemption--is the constant tension of growth and change as the old nature gives way to the new. It is a putting off of the flesh and putting on of the fruits of the spirit daily. Fruit is the Spirit’s work; it is our work to die to self on the cross He has given us to bear.

"You and I are nothing without the cross. I agonize and cry when the cross is working within me, but when it is over I look back in admiration for what God has accomplished. Of course I am then ashamed I bore it so poorly."

6. The focused life is the simple life."Our hidden agendas can poison the simplicity of a situation. The desire to do a work for God is simple enough, but I greatly complicate it when I add the hidden agenda of wanting to be recognized and appreciated while doing it."

8. Give grace to yourself and others. "Do not be surprised to find yourself overly sensitive, impatient, proud, and self-willed. Realize that this is your natural disposition. Bear with yourself, but do not flatter yourself into thinking you are better than you are but wait on God's timing to transform it. Stop at once when your activities become too hurried. Guard against placing responsibility above relationship.”

1. The test of precedence.How do we react when another is selected for the assignment we expect or for the office we coveted? When another is promoted and we are overlooked? When another out shines us in gifts and accomplishments.

2. The test of sincerity. In our moments of honest self-criticism we will say many things about ourselves and really mean them. But how do we feel when others, especially our rivals, say exactly the same things about us?

3. The test of criticism. Does criticism arouse hostility and resentment in our hearts and cause us to fly to immediate self-justification? Do we hasten to criticize the critic?

The jealous person is apprehensive and suspicious of rivals.

“Are you jealous for my sake?” was his untroubled response. “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets.” The leader who is jealous for God’s glory need have no concerns for his own prestige and prerogatives. They are safe in His hands.

Cursed is he who does the work of the LORD with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.

Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs;he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile;so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his jars in pieces. Jeremiah 48:10-12

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,

and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

Psalm 50:14-15

In the arena of adversity, the Scriptures teach us three essential truths about God—truths we must believe if we are to trust Him in adversity. They are:

•God is completely sovereign.

•God is infinite in wisdom.

•God is perfect in love.

Someone has expressed these three truths as they relate to us in this way: “God in His love always wills what is best for us. In His wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.”

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

II Corinthians 11:3

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.I John 1:7

(And this is condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that does evil hates the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

James 4:6-10

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:16-18

…Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “ God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

I Peter 5:5b-8

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15

God’s healing love can transform the most miserable life into one of comfort, joy, and deep personal peace.

Do not underestimate the cleansing power available when anyone approaches God as a repentant sinner who has seen his sin and wants to be restored and renewed. It doesn’t take God long to transform a humble person.

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 55:22

(read page 26)

Time magazine featured an article entitled “The Burnout of Almost Everyone.” “They describe the stages of burnout, progressing from intense enthusiasm and job satisfaction, to exhaustion, physical illness, acute anger and depression. Even the best worker, when thwarted, will swallow his rage; it then turns into a small private conflagration, an internal fire in his engine room.”

According to these authors, the consequences to adults of being thwarted (i.,e. not getting their own way) by other adults (i.e.. Husbands and wives) are rage and hostility, resulting in physical illness, depression, and tension headaches.

Given proper alteration in people, circumstances, and social conditions that surround an individual, changes can occur without giving God a thought. Counseling, done by trained, caring, kind people, followed by appropriate changes, can bring great relief to an anxious confused person. If you want relief, you can find it.

A change of location or the removal of a troublesome person can give relief to an anxious person. That is relief, not healing. Alcohol can quiet a hostile, bitter heart, but it only gives relief, not healing.(read page 36 & 37)

Finding relief from sin instead of obtaining cleansing is a cruel trap. Relief from sin allows me to be comfortably separated God.

There is a cure for sin.

Peace does not come in capsules!(read page 43)

If you want relief, you can find it in this world. If you want a cure, only God can help you.(read page 44 & 45)

Fenelon says “You asked for a remedy, that your problems might be cured. You do not need to be cured. You need to be slain.”

This is the Christian miracle of the cleansed life—a great mystery—why, after years of fighting, would Malcolm and Dorothy submit to these biblical guidelines?

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:8

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.

Colossians 3:12

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:31-32

Not that we are in any way confident of doing anything by our own resources: our ability comes from God. It is He who makes us competent administrators of the new agreement…,

II Corinthians 3:5-6

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Isaiah 59:1-2

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9(read page 70ff)

It is important to understand that I could acknowledge being wrong on all points without agreeing that I have sinned against God. It is important to comprehend that being wrong and being sinful are not interchangeable words. We must be clear on what we mean by being wrong.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. II Corinthians 7:10

TheEnd

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.”

Isaiah 38:17

It is more important to know the presence of God than to seek the will of God, because when you walk in His presence you will more easily fine and understand His will.

Romans 12:2

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:10

In “the providence of God” is that we either unconsciously or deliberately imply that God intervenes at specific points in our lives but is largely only an interested spectator most of the time. When we think this way, even unconsciously, we reduce God’s control over our lives to a stop-and-go, in-an-out proposition. Our unconscious attitude is that the rest of the time we are the “master of our fates” or conversely the victims of unhappy circumstances or uncaring people that cross our paths.

Theologian J.I. Packer defines providence as, “The unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.” Note the absolute terms Packer uses: “unceasing activity.” “all events…all acts,” “directs everything.”

Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?

Lamentations 3:37-38

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3

He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. The LORD dealt with me accordingto my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

For all his rules were before me,and his statutes I did not put away from me.

Psalm 18:19-22

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Romans 11:33

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?

Lamentations 3:37-38