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