“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters at Marrah, for they were bitter, -- So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’ – And they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.” Exodus 15:24, 27
“And the sons of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;’” Exodus 16:3-4a
“And the rabble who were among them had greedy desires, and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, ‘Who will give us mean to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free, in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.’” Numbers 11:4-6
“Petty things seemed to bother the Israelites most – witness their constant complaints about food. With a few exceptions, they ate the same thing every day for forty years: manna (meaning literally, ‘What is it?’) that appeared like dew on the ground each morning. A monotonous diet may seem a trivial exchange for liberation from slavery, but not for the Israelites.” *
How much easier it is to see what you do not have and what you want to have than to just stop for one hour and make a list of what you have been blessed with.
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The 5 Disadvantages - One
“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 2:16-17
“And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked and behold, the bush was not consumed. – When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and he said, ‘Moses. Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said also, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” Genesis 2, 4-6
ONE: “I have often longed for God to act in a direct, closeup manner. If only He would show Himself! But in the Israelites’ dreary stories of failure I can perceive certain ‘disadvantages’ to God acting so directly. One problem they encountered immediately was the lack of personal freedom. For the Israelites to live in proximity to a holy God, nothing – not sex, menstruation, the content of clothing fabric, or dietary habits – could fall outside the purview of His laws. Being a “chosen people;’ had a cost.” *
It is wonderful to have God in our lives as long as He doesn’t get TOO close, for then he can see the blemishes more clearly and we can see His perfection. It is His grace in love that saves us no matter how close or far we are from Him. Thank God!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked and behold, the bush was not consumed. – When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and he said, ‘Moses. Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said also, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” Genesis 2, 4-6
ONE: “I have often longed for God to act in a direct, closeup manner. If only He would show Himself! But in the Israelites’ dreary stories of failure I can perceive certain ‘disadvantages’ to God acting so directly. One problem they encountered immediately was the lack of personal freedom. For the Israelites to live in proximity to a holy God, nothing – not sex, menstruation, the content of clothing fabric, or dietary habits – could fall outside the purview of His laws. Being a “chosen people;’ had a cost.” *
It is wonderful to have God in our lives as long as He doesn’t get TOO close, for then he can see the blemishes more clearly and we can see His perfection. It is His grace in love that saves us no matter how close or far we are from Him. Thank God!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Monday, July 26, 2010
What Went Wrong?
“Now when the people saw the Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And Aaron said to them, ‘Tear off the gold rings which are in your ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ Then ALL the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.’” Exodus 32:1-4
“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement in the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:16-18
“Like a blood hound on a trail, I kept zigzagging back to the wanderings in the wilderness to poke around for clues. The tabernacle luminous with God’s presence, the miraculous breakfast food, the throng of unhappy Israelites shuffling along in the desert sand – somewhere between the bright promise and the blighted futility of those forty years lies the mystery of disappointment with God. What went wrong?” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement in the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:16-18
“Like a blood hound on a trail, I kept zigzagging back to the wanderings in the wilderness to poke around for clues. The tabernacle luminous with God’s presence, the miraculous breakfast food, the throng of unhappy Israelites shuffling along in the desert sand – somewhere between the bright promise and the blighted futility of those forty years lies the mystery of disappointment with God. What went wrong?” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Thursday, July 22, 2010
God's Longing...
“’The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, with all those of us alive here today. The Lord spoke to your face-to-face at the mountain from the midst of the fire,” Deuteronomy 5:2-4
“Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant and you shall eat and be satisfied, then watch yourself, lets you forget the Lord, who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12
“Yet God, all-seeing, knew the ultimate, tragic destiny of the Israelites: ‘I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land,’ He said. More than anything, God longed for the covenant to succeed. But the repeated rebellions in the wilderness had taken a toll. God predicted a terrible disobedience to come and foretold His own response: ‘I will certainly hide my face on that day.’ He spoke with rueful resignation, like a parent of a drug-addict, helpless to stop His own child from self-destructing: like the wife of an alcoholic who hears a blubbering promise to do better tomorrow or the next day, a promise her husband has already broken too many times to mention.’ *
God longs to walk with you personally, so you can learn more of Him and trust Him more. Most of all, God longs for you to grow willingly, into the image of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. It is your choice!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant and you shall eat and be satisfied, then watch yourself, lets you forget the Lord, who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12
“Yet God, all-seeing, knew the ultimate, tragic destiny of the Israelites: ‘I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land,’ He said. More than anything, God longed for the covenant to succeed. But the repeated rebellions in the wilderness had taken a toll. God predicted a terrible disobedience to come and foretold His own response: ‘I will certainly hide my face on that day.’ He spoke with rueful resignation, like a parent of a drug-addict, helpless to stop His own child from self-destructing: like the wife of an alcoholic who hears a blubbering promise to do better tomorrow or the next day, a promise her husband has already broken too many times to mention.’ *
God longs to walk with you personally, so you can learn more of Him and trust Him more. Most of all, God longs for you to grow willingly, into the image of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. It is your choice!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Lavie, whose 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer and Lyle, his brother has been found to be a perfect match. Lyle leaves to be hospitalised with him for a two week procedure. Pray for them both. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
God's Problem is...
“And behold one came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?’ And He said to him, ‘Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter life, keep the commandments. --The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me. But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property.” Matthew 19:16-17, 20-22
“The fact that love does not operate to the rules of power may help explain why God sometimes seems shy to use His power. He created us to love Him, but His most impressive displays of miracles – the kind we may secretly long for – do nothing to foster that love. As Douglas John Hall has put it, ‘God’s problem is not that God is not able to do certain things. God’s problem is that God loves. Love complicates the life of God as it complicates every life.’ And when His own love is spurned, even the Lord of the Universe feels in some way helpless, like a parent who has lost what He values most.” * Whenever we love another person, there are difficulties! How much more so for our Lord and Saviour!
“And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:33-34
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow (and for Lyle who may be a match). Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“The fact that love does not operate to the rules of power may help explain why God sometimes seems shy to use His power. He created us to love Him, but His most impressive displays of miracles – the kind we may secretly long for – do nothing to foster that love. As Douglas John Hall has put it, ‘God’s problem is not that God is not able to do certain things. God’s problem is that God loves. Love complicates the life of God as it complicates every life.’ And when His own love is spurned, even the Lord of the Universe feels in some way helpless, like a parent who has lost what He values most.” * Whenever we love another person, there are difficulties! How much more so for our Lord and Saviour!
“And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:33-34
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: For Cris, whose father just had two stokes in a week and is hospitalised. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow (and for Lyle who may be a match). Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Barb and Carla both had job interviews recently, yet God has other jobs for them than the ones they interviewed for and did not get; and for Tim (as he supports Barb) who also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ten Tries & Ten Refusals
“’For God so loved the world, the He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for 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 (full and complete, appropriate and adequate payment) for our sins.” I John 4:10
“Is God unfair? Silent? Hidden? Such questions must have troubled the Hebrews until, in Moses’ lifetime God took off the wraps. He punished evil and rewarded good. He spoke audibly. And He made Himself visible, first to Moses in a burning bush and then to the Israelites in a pillar of cloud and fire.
“The ten plagues in Exodus show the power of God over a pharaoh. But the ten major rebellions recorded in Numbers show the impotence of power to bring about what God desired most, the love and faithfulness of His people. No pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence could make them trust and follow Him.” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; God has another job for Carla and Barb than the ones they interviewed for and did not get and for Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
(If you missed any of the devotions you can find them all here: http://www.weakdaydevotion.blogspot.com )
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for 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 (full and complete, appropriate and adequate payment) for our sins.” I John 4:10
“Is God unfair? Silent? Hidden? Such questions must have troubled the Hebrews until, in Moses’ lifetime God took off the wraps. He punished evil and rewarded good. He spoke audibly. And He made Himself visible, first to Moses in a burning bush and then to the Israelites in a pillar of cloud and fire.
“The ten plagues in Exodus show the power of God over a pharaoh. But the ten major rebellions recorded in Numbers show the impotence of power to bring about what God desired most, the love and faithfulness of His people. No pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence could make them trust and follow Him.” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; God has another job for Carla and Barb than the ones they interviewed for and did not get and for Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
(If you missed any of the devotions you can find them all here: http://www.weakdaydevotion.blogspot.com )
Monday, July 19, 2010
400 Years of "Nothing"
“And God said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions. – On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates; and Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite and the Hittite and the Prizzite and the Rephaim and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.” Genesis 15:13-14, 17-21
“Nowhere in the Bible will you find an account of what happened during the intervening four hundred years from Genesis to Exodus. But think of it! For four hundred years heaven was silent. Surely those who travelled to Egypt to be saved from starvation and became Hebrew slaves felt profound disappointment with God.” *
It was early in Abram’s adventure when God made His amazing promises to him. It must have been difficult to keep reminding people to trust God; that He cares for them and has a wonderful plan for their individual lives! Hummm, not too different from today really, is it?
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: God has another job for Carla and Barb than the ones they interviewed for and did not get and for Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“Nowhere in the Bible will you find an account of what happened during the intervening four hundred years from Genesis to Exodus. But think of it! For four hundred years heaven was silent. Surely those who travelled to Egypt to be saved from starvation and became Hebrew slaves felt profound disappointment with God.” *
It was early in Abram’s adventure when God made His amazing promises to him. It must have been difficult to keep reminding people to trust God; that He cares for them and has a wonderful plan for their individual lives! Hummm, not too different from today really, is it?
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: God has another job for Carla and Barb than the ones they interviewed for and did not get and for Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Lonliness of God
“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 God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” Genesis 3:8-9
“’Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee; remove this cup from Me, yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.’” Mark 14:36
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou Forsaken Me.’” Mark 15:34
“The central idea of the great part of the Old Testament may be called the idea of the loneliness of God.” – GK Chesterton *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“’Abba! Father! All things are possible for Thee; remove this cup from Me, yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.’” Mark 14:36
“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou Forsaken Me.’” Mark 15:34
“The central idea of the great part of the Old Testament may be called the idea of the loneliness of God.” – GK Chesterton *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Parent Perspective
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21
“But shift for a moment to the perspective of God, the parent. Had He deliberately ‘pulled back’ to allow Joseph’s faith to reach a new level of maturity? And could this be why Genesis devotes more space to Joseph than any other person? Through all his trials, Joseph learned to trust: not that God would prevent hardship, but that He would redeem even the hardship.” *
There are few parents who ever wish bad things to happen to their children; many must sometimes stand aside and let life take its course while a child learns to trust their wisdom.
“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,; declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortune and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place where I sent you into exile.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“But shift for a moment to the perspective of God, the parent. Had He deliberately ‘pulled back’ to allow Joseph’s faith to reach a new level of maturity? And could this be why Genesis devotes more space to Joseph than any other person? Through all his trials, Joseph learned to trust: not that God would prevent hardship, but that He would redeem even the hardship.” *
There are few parents who ever wish bad things to happen to their children; many must sometimes stand aside and let life take its course while a child learns to trust their wisdom.
“’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,; declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortune and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place where I sent you into exile.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Through It All...
“No Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicoloured tunic. And his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.
“When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. And they said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer! Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!’” Genesis 37:3-4, 18-20
“If anyone had a valid reason to be disappointed in God, it was Joseph, whose valiant stabs at goodness brought him nothing but trouble. – I wonder, as Joseph languished for his virtue in an Egyptian dungeon, did questions like – ‘Is God unfair? Silent? Hidden? – occur to him?” * In dark moments we can all start to wonder these things, that is where faith in His love comes in!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. And they said to one another, ‘Here comes this dreamer! Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him.’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!’” Genesis 37:3-4, 18-20
“If anyone had a valid reason to be disappointed in God, it was Joseph, whose valiant stabs at goodness brought him nothing but trouble. – I wonder, as Joseph languished for his virtue in an Egyptian dungeon, did questions like – ‘Is God unfair? Silent? Hidden? – occur to him?” * In dark moments we can all start to wonder these things, that is where faith in His love comes in!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sad Withdrawal
“So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’
“He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all thing. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” John 21:15-17
“A gambler would say God stacked the odds against Himself. A cynic would say God taunted the creatures He was supposed to love. The Bible simply uses the cryptic phrase ‘by faith’ to describe what they went through. Somehow, that ‘faith’ was what God valued, and it soon became clear that faith was the best way for humans to express a love for God.” *
Why do you think God began to withdraw from man? How do you feel when a friend continues to disappoint you?
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all thing. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” John 21:15-17
“A gambler would say God stacked the odds against Himself. A cynic would say God taunted the creatures He was supposed to love. The Bible simply uses the cryptic phrase ‘by faith’ to describe what they went through. Somehow, that ‘faith’ was what God valued, and it soon became clear that faith was the best way for humans to express a love for God.” *
Why do you think God began to withdraw from man? How do you feel when a friend continues to disappoint you?
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred’s first heart procedure was successful, one more to go. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Carla, had job interviews last week; Barb had her job interview also after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Michael got the full-time job he has hoped for. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Really Funny!
“Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.’ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old bear a child?’ And Abraham said to God, ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before Thee!’” Genesis 17:15-18
“And he said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. And Sara laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I hope pleasure, my lord being old also?’” Genesis 18:10-12
Abraham is a perfect example for all of us, because it IS difficult to believe God is more powerful than we are. Just think about that. To stay alive, [Abraham] fled to Egypt and lied about his wife a couple of times. He argued and bargained with God, because he thought he knew better. Abraham and Sarah both thought God was ridiculous and really funny promising such “silly” miracles. This was a “laugh of ridicule and also of pain. God had dangled a bright dream of fertility before a barren couple and then sat on His hands and watched as they advanced toward tottery old age. What kind of game was He playing? Whatever did He want? God wanted faith.” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, has heart surgery today. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“And he said, ‘I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. And Sara laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have become old, shall I hope pleasure, my lord being old also?’” Genesis 18:10-12
Abraham is a perfect example for all of us, because it IS difficult to believe God is more powerful than we are. Just think about that. To stay alive, [Abraham] fled to Egypt and lied about his wife a couple of times. He argued and bargained with God, because he thought he knew better. Abraham and Sarah both thought God was ridiculous and really funny promising such “silly” miracles. This was a “laugh of ridicule and also of pain. God had dangled a bright dream of fertility before a barren couple and then sat on His hands and watched as they advanced toward tottery old age. What kind of game was He playing? Whatever did He want? God wanted faith.” *
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, has heart surgery today. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
And Again, Please!
“’And I will Make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you ALL families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:2-3
“indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall posses the gate of their enemies. And in your seed ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice.’” Genesis 22:17-18
“Rather than trying to restore the whole earth at once, God would begin with a pioneer settlement, a new race set apart from all others. – Despite the honour accorded him as the father of this new race, however, Abraham emerges as the Bible’s first example of a person severely disappointed in God.” *
Today, when I begin a project, I start with a “proto type” to see if my theory and strategy will work when reproduced in a larger scale. This I learned from God, not man. God’s wisdom, demonstrated so clearly, over and over in Scripture, is there to guide us. And sometimes, as God did, we must start over again and rebuild. Yet, we never build alone!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for:Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall posses the gate of their enemies. And in your seed ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice.’” Genesis 22:17-18
“Rather than trying to restore the whole earth at once, God would begin with a pioneer settlement, a new race set apart from all others. – Despite the honour accorded him as the father of this new race, however, Abraham emerges as the Bible’s first example of a person severely disappointed in God.” *
Today, when I begin a project, I start with a “proto type” to see if my theory and strategy will work when reproduced in a larger scale. This I learned from God, not man. God’s wisdom, demonstrated so clearly, over and over in Scripture, is there to guide us. And sometimes, as God did, we must start over again and rebuild. Yet, we never build alone!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey, with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling a rare-related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work.).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for:Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Grow Up!
“And they said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’” Genesis 11:4
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth away from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; -- so Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; --And it came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman and it will come about when the Egyptians see you that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you and that I may live on account of you.’” Genesis 12:1, 4a, 11-13
“In earliest history, God acted so plainly that no one could grouse about His hiddenness or silence. -- If it was God’s intention to have a mature relationship with free human beings, He certainly met with a series of rude setbacks. How could He ever relate to His creations as adults when they kept behaving like children?” *
Someone recently wrote to ask what he should DO to please God. The only answer is to trust God to grow you up in the image of His Son, by simply resting in Him and knowing God truly, actually knows what He is doing. And even our worst choices, and most dramatic rebellion are used BY God to work His will in your life so the relationship you share with the Father is stronger each moment.
“And we KNOW that GOD causes ALL things to work together for GOOD to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for:Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth away from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; -- so Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; --And it came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman and it will come about when the Egyptians see you that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you and that I may live on account of you.’” Genesis 12:1, 4a, 11-13
“In earliest history, God acted so plainly that no one could grouse about His hiddenness or silence. -- If it was God’s intention to have a mature relationship with free human beings, He certainly met with a series of rude setbacks. How could He ever relate to His creations as adults when they kept behaving like children?” *
Someone recently wrote to ask what he should DO to please God. The only answer is to trust God to grow you up in the image of His Son, by simply resting in Him and knowing God truly, actually knows what He is doing. And even our worst choices, and most dramatic rebellion are used BY God to work His will in your life so the relationship you share with the Father is stronger each moment.
“And we KNOW that GOD causes ALL things to work together for GOOD to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Prayer Requests: Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend (and praise the Lord has helped him find a home and work).
JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, even now as we pray: Michael, has interviews today; Carla, had job interviews yesterday; Barb had her job interview this week after waiting so long. Tim (as he supports Barb) also needs work.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for:Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Monday, July 5, 2010
Promises, Promises
“Then the Lord sat that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” Genesis 6:5-6
“Then God spoke to Noah and to the sons with him, saying, ‘Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, and the cattle and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. And I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.’” Genesis 9:9-13
The rejection God experienced, not just from one [of His] children, but from the entire human race, was almost more than He could bear, yet He found Noah. The new covenant God establishes with Noah, however, is the first piece of precision legal work, and is now based on the barest relationship of one party agreeing not to obliterate the other. And yet even in that promise God limited Himself. He, the sworn enemy of all evil in the universe, pledged to endure wickedness on this planet for a time – or rather, to solve it through some means other than annihilation.
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Request: Carla for job interviews today, that God’s hand calms her heart & His will is done. Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.
Praise: Barb had her job interview & it’s now in God’s hands. Please pray His will is done. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Tim (as he supports Barb. They both need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“Then God spoke to Noah and to the sons with him, saying, ‘Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, and the cattle and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. And I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.’” Genesis 9:9-13
The rejection God experienced, not just from one [of His] children, but from the entire human race, was almost more than He could bear, yet He found Noah. The new covenant God establishes with Noah, however, is the first piece of precision legal work, and is now based on the barest relationship of one party agreeing not to obliterate the other. And yet even in that promise God limited Himself. He, the sworn enemy of all evil in the universe, pledged to endure wickedness on this planet for a time – or rather, to solve it through some means other than annihilation.
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Request: Carla for job interviews today, that God’s hand calms her heart & His will is done. Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.
Praise: Barb had her job interview & it’s now in God’s hands. Please pray His will is done. Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer.
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Tim (as he supports Barb. They both need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Regrets
“”Then the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ – And He said, ‘Who told you that you wee naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’” Genesis 3:9, 11
“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Able your brother?’ And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.’” Genesis 4:9-10
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had ever made man n the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. And the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:5-8
God has all the reasons to give up and start again, even today, yet God watches, hoping that some will love Him. Able did. Noah did. Moses did. Joshua did. Deborah did. David did. Ruth did. The prophets did. Thankfully, no matter how discouraged the Lord became/becomes with His creation, He continues to build into the lives of those with a personal relationship with Him, because His love is stronger than we can ever imagine. Thank God!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Request: Barb is on her way to a job interview for a wonderful role. She has been unemployed for a couple of years now after working at the same place for over 30 years. Please prepare her heart for the adventure. Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Tim (as he supports Barb. They both need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Rape victim, hit & run victim; Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Able your brother?’ And He said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.’” Genesis 4:9-10
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had ever made man n the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. And the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:5-8
God has all the reasons to give up and start again, even today, yet God watches, hoping that some will love Him. Able did. Noah did. Moses did. Joshua did. Deborah did. David did. Ruth did. The prophets did. Thankfully, no matter how discouraged the Lord became/becomes with His creation, He continues to build into the lives of those with a personal relationship with Him, because His love is stronger than we can ever imagine. Thank God!
Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene
PS: New Request: Barb is on her way to a job interview for a wonderful role. She has been unemployed for a couple of years now after working at the same place for over 30 years. Please prepare her heart for the adventure. Fred, my life mentor, hospital tests. Casey with huge life changes. Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.
Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer
Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.
Continue to pray for: Tim (as he supports Barb. They both need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Rape victim, hit & run victim; Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).
*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey
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