You Wonder WHY?

“’Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord; I will not look upon you in anger, for I am gracious.’ Declares the Lord; ‘I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the Lord your God and have scattered your favours to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice,’ declares the Lord. ‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares the Lord; for I am a master to you, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding. – How I would set you among My sons, and give you pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of the nations! You shall call Me, My Father, and not turn away from following Me.’” Jeremiah 3:12b-15, 19

“At the end of the Old Testament, God was in hiding. He had threatened to hide His face, and when He finally did a dark shadow fell across the planet. Our disappointment with God twenty-five centuries later is a faint aftershock of what the Jews felt when God turned His back. Today, we may find some comfort in looking back on lessons from the past. We may see the ‘disadvantages’ to God’s close up interventions: His Presence, too bright for us, leaves scorch marks; it creates distance; and worse, it doesn’t even seem to foster faith.” *

God HAS a plan for each of us and what a privilege to fall in His hands!

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [full, complete and perfect payment] for our sins. – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.” I John 4:10, 18-19

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

PS: URGENT PERSONAL PRAYER REQUEST: for my dear sister-in-law, Barb, and my little (not really little any more, of course) brother, Tim. Barb was rushed to the hospital yesterday – no diagnosis but unusual memory loss. Ruled out heart problems and stroke. These two have been together since age 16. I can’t be there to help and hold them.

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: For strength for Jay, his Mum was buried today. Cris for encouragement from loss of 3 loved ones in past 2 months (affecting her health too). Pray for Joan, receives test results today (breast cancer concern).

NEED PRAYER UPDATES PLEASE: Greg’s father passed away – pray for him and family. For Di whose brother (55 years old) just passed away suddenly. Fred’s heart surgery (28 Sept) and Nancy, his wife, recovering from major head trauma. Milly and David, whose mother died Monday. For Jim’s widow, Linda, with no Comforter.

JOB Related: Pray for those seeking work, that they will trust the Lord to be preparing the perfect role for them, includes: Carla, Paul and Tim.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: For Lyle’s sacrifices for brother, Earl in donating bone marrow to save his life. Joan’s, Aunt Marge, had a serious kidney infection, not a stroke. Adrian who’s found a job and home. Leslie doing great with no remaining signs of cancer. David (great health now!). Reg for his wonderful ministry.

CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html ), Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Lavie, her 28-year old brother died unexpectedly. Sue, not doing well, battling paraneoplastic syndrome. Michael, as he struggles with the pending loss of his Mum. Another Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer. Ulfur and David P – for strength to overcome the hold of powerful addictions.


*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey