Check the Cloud!

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, lest Israel become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me. Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’ So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained.

“Then the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there. Therefore it shall be that he of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go with you; but everyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you, he shall not go.’ – And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped [water] and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.’

“And when they blew 300 trumpets, the Lord set the sword of one [Midianite] against another even throughout the whole army; and the army fled—“ Judges 7:2-4a, 7, 22

“the very clarity of God’s will had a stunting effect on the Israelites’ faith. Why pursue God when He had already revealed Himself so clearly? Why step out in faith when God had already guaranteed the result? Why wrestle with the dilemma of conflicting choices when God had already resolved the dilemmas? Crystal-clear guidance does not seem to encourage spiritual development. In fact, for the Israelites it nearly eliminated the need for faith at all; clear guidance sucked away freedom, making every choice a matter of obedience rather than faith." * Perhaps, seeing and hearing is not always believing!

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: A lady who was brutally raped and is in hospital. An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Fingers in Ears!

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.’” Genesis 2:15-17

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from it’s fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6

“But did a clear word from God increase the likelihood of obedience? Apparently not. The Israelites were defeated by their enemies. They marched when told to sit tight, fled in fear when told to march, fought when told to declare peace, declared peace when told to fight. They made a national pastime out of inventing ways to break the 613 commands. Clear guidance became as much an affront to that generation as “unclear guidance” is to ours.”

“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15-17

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: A lady who was brutally raped and is in hospital. An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Purpose of the Law

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down at once for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commended them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them;” Exodus 32:7-10a


Philip writes: “In less than fifty years the Israelites had disintegrated into a state of utter anarchy. – Israel failed to obey God and meet the terms. Years later when New Testament authors looked back on that history, they did not hold up the covenant as an exemplary mode of God relating to His people with absolute consistency and fairness. Rather, they said the old covenant served as an object lesson, demonstrating that human beings were incapable of fulfilling a contract with God.”

“for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” Romans 5:13

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Make Me!

“Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine, and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.’ So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him, and all the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do!’ And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.” Exodus 19:5-8

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

“Is God Unfair? Why doesn’t He consistently punish evil people and reward good people? Why DO awful things happen to people good and bad, with no discernible pattern?” * The Old Testament is about God’s “behaviour modification” program. It was pure reward and punishment (plus a lot of grace and patience from God). God resolved to reward and punish His people with strict, legislated fairness. He signed the guarantee with His own hand, making it dependent on the ONE condition that the Israelites had to follow the laws He laid down.” And that didn’t work so H had to try plan B!

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Tried That - Didn't Work!

“And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light...” Exodus 12:21


“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land, so that the waters were divided.” Exodus 13:21

“I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God’” Exodus 16:12

“And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.’” Exodus 20:18-19

“if only God would solve these three problems, then faith would flourish... – Exodus describes the very world Richard wanted! It shows God stepping INTO human history almost daily. He acts with utter fairness and speaks so everyone can hear Him. Behold, He even makes Himself visible!” * So why DOES God run the world the way He now does? “If God HAS the power to act fairly, speak audibly, and appear visibly, why then, does He seem so reluctant to intervene today?’” God has his reasons...

“And He said, ‘If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.’” Exodus 15:26

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy is on his way home to see his mom this weekend! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Weekend Assignment

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-6

“Disappointment With God” is a “thick/rich” book filled with so many provocative and convicting thoughts. Whether we consider our own struggles of those others we love, struggles are part of our walk. I remember the first time I read Hannha Hurnard’s allegorical book, “Hind’s Feet on High Places” and being struck by the idea that on my journey I travel with two companions Sorrow and Suffering.

So take one hour from your busy lives this weekend. Find your Bible, a notebook/journal and pen and write down five things in your life right now that you have questions about for the Lord. Then offer them to Him and wait, listening. He may not give you the answer you wish for or feel you need, but He will listen at the very least and bring you comfort while you wait for things to unfold in His time.

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven – I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 10-12

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: Freddy is on his way home to see his mom this weekend! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

Proof of the Pudding?

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord Called out to the man and said to him, ‘Where re you?’” Genesis 3:8-9

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“-- and behold a voice out of the heavens saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:17b

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” Hebrews 1:1

The dialogue between Philip Yancey & his friend continues: “’Nobody’s out there, Philip. And if by some chance God does exist, then He’s toying with us. Why doesn’t He quit playing games and show Himself?’ ‘In a strange sort of way, I’ve never been able to get [our] conversation out of my mind. Actually, your complaints against God helped me better understand my own.’

“I then told Richard about the three questions. After I had explained them, I asked if they summed up his complaints against God. [He said] ‘Well, my doubt was more like a feeling – I felt jilted, like God has strung me along just to watch me fall. – Why on earth doesn’t God answer those questions! – If only He answered ONE of them. If, say, He would just speak aloud one time so that everyone could hear, then I would believe. Probably the whole world would believe. Why doesn’t He?’*  Everyone wants proof of God, and it is all around us!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: Freddy is on his way home to see his mom this weekend. David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.






*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Take It Personal!

“Now faith IS the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrances, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 11:1-3, 12:1-3

Philip Yancey’s questioner struggles with: “One thing that bugged me from the very beginning: the notion of faith. It seemed a black hole that could gobble up any honest question.’ ‘Believe God whether you feel like it or now,’ he’d say. ‘The feelings will follow.’ I fake it but I can now see that the feelings never followed I was just going through the motions.” I had a friend in University who wanted to “know” God as I know Him. He would walk to that line dividing believers and pre-believers over and over again as if on one side was a drop over a cliff of unimaginable depth (that of faith) and the “solid ground” his rational mind stood upon. Can you prove faith? Or love, or hope? I don’t think we have to, yet when we have a loved one on “that” side of the line, our hearts labour and grieve until they step into faith. We must remember God is personal.

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: Eddie is doing really well has responded well to the chemo and is on the right path to good health now. David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.






*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Personal?!

“Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all. Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. – For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to Thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; -- And in Thy book, they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” Psalm 139:5-6. 13-16


“True Atheists do not, I presume, feel disappointed in God. They expect nothing and receive nothing. But those who commit their lives to God, no matter what, instinctively expect something in return. Are these expectations wrong?” * Our world is focused on right/wrong, black/white, hit/miss, and these permeate our minds then hearts from the time we learn the meaning of our first “no”. Yet God is God and His promises stand there for us, but His purpose for our lives is to form our hearts into the image of His Son’s. And sometimes that makes no sense to us or those around us as we experience or watch someone go through God’s hand in another’s life. That is why it is a PERSONAL relationship and a PERSONAL call. YOU are special to the Father and His plan for YOUR life is unique.

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: Eddie is doing really well has responded well to the chemo and is on the right path to good health now. David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.

THE 3 Questions

The 3 questions, Philip Yancey's book, "Disappointment With God" addresses are ones that occupy all of us at one time or another, no matter how strong or fresh or pure our faith is or has become:

1. “Is God unfair? – how can we reconcile personal miseries with the biblical promises of rewards and happiness?


2. “Is God silent? – I was told God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life. Fine. So why doesn’t He tell me what that plan is?


3. “Is God hidden? – How can I have a relationship with a Person I’m not even sure exists?” * Sometimes it seems He deliberately hides from me!

“’For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’” John 3:16

“For while we were still helpless at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

“In this is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:10

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.






*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Betrayal

“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if Thou are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Thine be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow. And he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ While He was still speaking, behold, a multitude came, and the one called Judas one of the twelve, was preceding them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’" Luke 22:45-48

“Absorbed in his anger and pain, Richard had not given voice to his doubts in a systematic way; he experienced them more as feelings of betrayal than as matters of faith. As I brooded over our conversation, however, I kept returning to three large questions about God that seemed to lurk just behind the thicket of his feelings. The longer I pondered them, the more I realised that three questions are lodged somewhere inside all of us. Yet few people ask them aloud, for they seem at best impolite, at worst heretical.” *”

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.


*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Empty...

“’My sheet hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me, and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’” John 10:27-30

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me.” Psalm 23:1-4

“Richard was feeling a pain as great as any that a human being experiences; the pain of betrayal. The pain of a lover who wakes up and suddenly realises it’s all over. He had staked his life on God, and God has let him down.” * It is alright to feel authentic feelings, but feeling are not nearly as important as facts. If you are His, HE will never leave you or let you go!

“Then the Lord said to Job, ‘Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reprove God answer it.’ Then Job answered the Lord and said, ‘Behold, I am insignificant; what can I replay to Thee? I lay my hand on my mouth.’” Job 40:1-4

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.



*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Who Moved!

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).


Philip Yancey’s book is in answer to a theology student asking: “How can you have a personal relationship if you’re not sure the other person even exists? With God, I could never be sure. – I came to my senses. – Why not just forget God and get on with life, like most of the rest of the world? Instantly I felt a sense of relief and freedom...”* We have a personal relationship with God even while we are pre-Christians as He draws us and calls us by name, over and over again. He walks with us, holds our hands and watches patiently as we stumble and grow. Why? Well the simple answer is as intimate as Mary “knowing” it was the Lord. Sometimes we feel He has moved away, but we also know it was not the Lord who moved...it was us.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.


*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Bad Providence?

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm, and said, ‘Now gird up your loins like a man’ I will ask you and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? Or do you have an arm like God. And can you thunder with a voice like His.” Job 40:6-9


“You can’t have it both ways, he thought. If God gets credit for the survivor, He should also get blamed for the casualties. Yet churches never hear testimonies from the grievers. – So many times God had let me down. I hated God, and yet I was afraid too. I was a theology student right? Maybe God WAS there and I had it all wrong. How Could I KNOW? ‘God! Do you care? I prayed. I don’t want to tell You how to run Your world, but please give me some sign that You’re really there! That’s all I ask.’” * In our heart of hearts we know how deep a prayer like that can go...so deeply hidden that we can only see doubt in others, yet if we can think and reason, most can identify with the writer’s thoughts, if only for a moment in time. God’s providence covers all acts and actions in our world, even the ones that don’t make any sense to us. And there are NO easy answers when you are hurting or confused, but God promises...

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what yuo are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” II Corinthians 10:13

Why? “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full, appropriate and complete payment) for our sins.” I John 4:10

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Answer me!

“’Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!’” Matthew 7:7-11

So many questions in Yancey’s book: “”Did the Lord really tell me anything? I never heard a voice or had any proof of God I could see or touch...like you’re SUPPOSED to. Whenever he reached out he grasped a fistful of air. Why should he keep believing in a God so apparently unconcerned about his well-being? -- No earthly father would treat his child like that.” * It comes down to focus, Where are you focused? Just on you and your needs? Have you thought about how your heavenly Father may be thinking?

“You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son). Praise: David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)); Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul. Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Freddy (to come home & see his mom); Eddie (responding to chemo); Rachael (for hope & clarity of purpose); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry, Gary, Adrian and Jack.






*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey