Now That's Living!

“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.  Therefore from now on we recognise no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:13-17

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

“The dawning of hope began with a discovery.  In retrospect it was a discovery which could hardly seem to be more simple or more obvious.  It could hardly have been more obvious because the very terminology I was familiar with in describing the Christian life contained the truth.  I had failed to take literally or appreciate as the essence of Christian experience.  It was simply this:  Jesus Christ had come to life in me.”*

The song lyrics go:  “I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all” and that is what works in our lives.  Yet it is not just a one time only gift, this surrendering of our lives to Christ in grateful thanksgiving for His merciful, just gift of saving grace, it is a step-by-step walk on the pathway of faith.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian is home.  He returns to the hospital by ambulance Mondays for treatment.  Those who have offered him a home have taken holidays and left him alone.  Please pray for his safety and those who care for him.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old) and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by Hurricane Irene.  The world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters this last year, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Just Out Of Reach

“Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.  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 you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.  

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful, but not all things edify.  Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbour.” I Corinthians 10:10-14, 23-24

“After a while it was hard to know what I was really looking for.  Were my sights to high?  To be honest, it didn’t seem that many of the Christians I knew were living as they should, although I did know w few who were.  Were the standards of the Bible unrealistic?  Did God give an extra high standard in order to motivate us to keep pressing on, but which it would be unwise to take too literally?  If that were so, it would appear that God was teasing us by dangling fantastic promises like a carrot in front of a donkey’s nose, knowing that every time we move toward them they would always remain just out of reach.”*

A relationship has two sides.  With our spiritual relationship it can be hard to “see” God’s perspective (we just finished a series on “Disappointment With God”, that attempted to help us see this more clearly) and because of this we can also forget that we have a love-obligation to choose to listen to Him and follow Him.  Many/most times this means we do not live our lives in a cavalier way, but a thoughtful way focused on Christ and His sacrifice for us.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian is home now, returning to the hospital by ambulance each Monday for treatment.  Those who have offered him a home have taken this time to go away for a holiday leaving him alone.  Please pray for his safety and those who care for him.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.


PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old) and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by Hurricane Irene.  The world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters this last year, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 
 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Struggle/No Struggle?

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He choose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love.  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:2-6Eph 1:3

“I was discovering a new ‘will’ that was unmistakably God-given, for my desires and ambitions had changed.  But I did not know that God was to be equally involved in fulfilling the ‘act’, and in my obvious weakness I struggled to bring my behaviour pattern into consistency with what I willed.   And it was the difference between the ‘will’ to do right and the ‘act’ that was the measure of my frustration.”* 

There is a saying, “God loves you and everyone else has a plan for your life (once you accept Christ as your Saviour).  This is a great source of frustration for you as a new believer.  Even pre-believers have a plan for your life, ESPECIALLY after you profess your faith in Christ openly!  Yet, it is God who is at work in you, affirming His residence by a new and tender conscience that no matter how hard you try to please or ignore, testifies of His love and grace in you.  Do you struggle or rest in Him? 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian is home now, returning to the hospital by ambulance each Monday for treatment.  Those who have offered him a home have taken this time to go away for a holiday leaving him alone.  Please pray for his safety and those who care for him.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him.  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old) and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  For those affected by Hurricane Irene.  The world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters this last year, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

First Realisation of Failure

“What shall we say then?  Is the Law sin?  May it never be!  On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ 

“But sin taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every  kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.  And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it, killed me.” Romans 7:7-11

When Charles Price first gave his life to Christ, this is what he discovered:  “For the very change of attitude and desire, the new ambitions to live for God and to please Him, made me acutely aware of how far short the reality of my life fell below the ideals that I longed to hold in my grasp.  My joy and my enthusiasm soon turned to frustration.  Although I did not dare admit it fully, my Christianity did not work and I was a failure.”*

And as we walk from our decision to follow Christ, the realisation sinks in the longer we serve Him.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian is being discharged today to begin his battle against the ravages of his frail body, as they need his bed and he needs to be in a home environment.  He will be travelling back and forth to the hospital once a week for chemo treatments...please continue to keep him before the Throne.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old)  and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family to see the future now that he is gone.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  Pray for the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 
 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Repentance

“And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.  Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain shall be brought low; and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough roads smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”’ Luke 3:3-6

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

Alan Redpath wrote the foreword to “Christ For Real” and said of Charles Price:  “He has always emphasised that the introduction to a vital relationship Christ involves genuine repentance which enables faith to be valid.  This book confirms that and more, for it is a solid biblical exposition from beginning to end of the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His demand for Christian revolution as a basis of a relationship with Him.  In other words, if we pray, ‘Thy kingdom come’, we must first pray, ‘My kingdom go.’”

There are many reasons our lives feel frustrated and futile, but no matter what else, when we feel this, it is a time to stop and consider it at time to grow closer to the source of our hope and pray our heart might open to recognise Him afresh and repent of whatever may be separating us from His grace in action. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian’s battle against painful broken ribs (from mishandling by ambulance staff) combined with pneumonia and high fever, still in hospital.  Please pray his carers are gentle with his brittle body & that he knows how to proceed to protect himself – give his pastor wisdom in advising Adrian. 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old)  and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family to see the future now that he is gone.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  Pray for the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

The Strength of Weakness

“For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish; for I shall be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.  And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me – to keep me from exalting myself! 

“Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’  

“Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:6-10

“I was twelve years of age when I first met Major Ian Thomas.  At the end of one of his meetings in the Town Hall in Hereferd, I asked him to sign his name in my New Testament.  He wrote, ‘All that God is, you have.  You cannot have more, you do not need to have less.’”*

In my life many times, I have hoped for more strength, more faith, more devotion, more dedication.  I have inadvertently watched another and thought, ‘If only I could be like them.’  We talk of God orchestrating a personal life course to bring us to our knees at the foot of His Cross to meet Him.   Once we do, somehow it seems most of us do not see that that same personal care of our steps and challenges are still personally tailored for us to strengthen and prepare us for whatever He has in His plan for His creation.  We have it all...all that we need...right now!  Think about that.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian’s battle against painful broken ribs (from mishandling by ambulance staff) combined with pneumonia and high fever, still in hospital.  Please pray his carers are gentle with his brittle body & that he knows how to proceed to protect himself – give his pastor wisdom in advising Adrian. 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  For God’s support during difficult times through unexpected friends.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old)  and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family to see the future now that he is gone.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  Pray for the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Christ For Real

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’  And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  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 3:17-18

“God has always wanted us to be LIKE Him.  It was the way He created us, and when we lost that likeness through disobedience, He sent His Son to restore the image in us.  His kingdom is HERE, and He wants His kingship to be visible in the character and lifestyle of His people.  This is God’s purpose and our goal.

“Against this theme the author, Charles Price, examines the ups and downs of the Christian life, and shows that with a proper understanding of the Gospel, our lives can be characterised, not by failure or frustration, but by the fulfilment which comes from letting God remake us in His image.”*

When I first came to Australia, I met a wonderful friend, called John.  He gave me a little book to share that he said was special to him.  It is no longer in print, and it has become one of the most significant books in my life.  I pray this new series featuring the ideas in Charles Price’s book, Christ For Real, touches your life too.

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian’s battle against painful broken ribs (from mishandling by ambulance staff) combined with pneumonia and high fever, still in hospital.  Please pray that his carers are gentle with his brittle body & that he knows how to proceed to protect himself – give his pastor wisdom in advising Adrian.  Pray for the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  


PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old)  and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family to see the future now that he is gone.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Christ For Real by Charles Price

Parable Two (The end)

“’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.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’” John 3:16-18

The last parable is about Philip Yancey’s father who, when Philip was a year old was diagnosed with polio and confined to an iron lung.  Most have no idea what that is nowadays, but he was completely paralysed and he never got to see his father as children were strictly prohibited from visiting polio victims.  One day as Philip was finishing writing this book, he visited his mom.  She had found two photographs and gave them to Philip.  They seemed rather ordinary for the feeling he could sense she had for these two images...one just of him and the other of he and his mom...both rather tattered in one of the corners.

His mom told him that his father, who was unable to move a muscle, had asked her to jam these two photos up under two of the rivets on his iron lung in his view and they filled his vision and thoughts every day of the life he led that way.

“When my mother told me the story of the crumpled photos, I had a strange and powerful reaction.  It seemed odd to imagine someone carrying about me whom, in a sense, I had never met.

“I mention this story because the emotions I felt when my mother showed me the crumpled photo were the very same emotions I felt that February night in a college dorm room when I first believed in a God of love.  Someone IS there, I realised.  Someone is there who loves me.  It was a startling feeling of wild hope, a feeling so new and overwhelming that it seemed fully worth risking my life on.”*

So ends Philip Yancey’s book,  Disappointment With God.  It has become one of my favourites and I hope you have enjoyed this series.  Pray for me that the Father guides me to the perfect next series for you and again (I’m considering Romans and a book by Max Lucado on Grace).  If you have a topic you would like to see pursued here, I would love to hear from you.  Also the prayer requests need updating by those of you who request them. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Adrian’s battle against pneumonia and high fever, still in hospital.  Please pray that his carers are gentle with his brittle body & that he knows how to proceed to protect himself – give his pastor wisdom in advising Adrian.  Pray for the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen (13 year old)  and her headaches and attitude toward her mom.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family to see the future now that he is gone.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  For Carla to have good health, satisfying work and life balance.  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 
 

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Two Parables (One, part 3)

“’Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number.  He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing.

“’Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 

“’Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, that those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.’” Isaiah 40:26, 28-31

“’Have you not heard of the man who lit a lamp on a bright morning and went to the market place crying ceaselessly, ‘I seek God.  I seek God’...They laughed, and...the man sprang into their midst and looked dagger at them.  ‘Where is God?’ he cried. 

“’I will tell you.  We have killed Him, you and I.’  We are all His killers, but how can we have done that?  How could we swallow up the sea?  Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the horizon?  What will we do as the earth is set lose from its sun?’” – Frederich Nietzshe, The Gay Science”*

Since the beginning, since the Father gave His creation of man and woman free will, He has risked His love on creating the environment in each of our lives, to lead us to Him...by name...personally...that we might live our lives in grace with Him for Eternity.  And who can resist that love?

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  For the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  Adrian is out of ICU, but still hospitalised.  Please continue to pray for those who care for him.  (Here is a text message he sent:  “I am so grateful to our loving Father and the most wonderful medical team.  I literally consider and feel overwhelmingly well. Thank you so much for the prayers and real love support expressed to me in these difficult days – blessings for you this day!”)

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen, a 13-year old with serious headaches.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family is grieving his loss.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 
 

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey

Two Parables (One, part 2)

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him,’ 

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ 

“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ 

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’” John 3:1-8

“It is a hard thing to live, uncertain of anything.  And yet, sobs can still be heard, muffled cries of loss, such as those expressed in literature and film and almost all modern art.  The alternative to disappointment with God seems to be disappointment without God.

“(The centre of me,’ said Bertrand Russell, ‘is always and eternally a terrible pain – a curious wild pain – a searching for something beyond what the world contains.’)

“I sense that sense of loss in the eyes of my friend Richard, even now.  He says he does not believe in God, but he keeps bringing up the subject, protesting too loudly.  For where comes this wounded sense of betrayal if no one is there to do the betraying?”*

Nicodemus as a Jew spent his entire life devoted to speaking about God.  Until he met Jesus personally, he had no idea of the love of the Father!  We are like that too before we abandon hope in ourselves and reach out for God’s gift of grace!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene  

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  

For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page back through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  For the world-wide economy and that people will remain calm and hopeful.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING: Reg for his ministry and patience.  Adrian is out of ICU, but still hospitalised.  Please continue to pray for those who care for him.  (Here is a text message he sent:  “I am so grateful to our loving Father and the most wonderful medical team.  I literally consider and feel overwhelmingly well. Thank you so much for the prayers and real love support expressed to me in these difficult days – blessings for you this day!”)

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Michael recovering from deep vein thrombosis – a new life change for him (he’s offered to go visit Adrian for me too!).  For Carlton’s recovery from surgery.  Gwen, a 13-year old with serious headaches.  Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma (please see her blog at this LINK. (http://debdarley.blogspot.com/)  Wisdom for doctors caring for Tim, Doris, David, Poetry and Gary, Annette’s friend Sue.

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Jack’s family is grieving his loss.  That Tim secures a disability pension with his coronary pulmonary artery disease.  For Jen as she copes with her friend’s passing & for the hope of her future.  For Susan in Bulgaria, struggling to provide for her husband and two children.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  (Please do not get bored with this request).  Those putting their lives together after the many natural disasters, especially for the volunteers and governments in:  Japan, USA and New Zealand.  For Middle Eastern nations dealing with unprecedented internal conflicts.  For the rest of the world to stay calm with regard to war, the economy and most of all for those who are believers, to pray and help others have peace during this time. 

OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:  Help for Cris.  Isaias (family safety and his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children. For Kevin (Godly wisdom with his son), Michael. 

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Paul needs work.  That Tim might find satisfying work.  Randy needs a new job in Canada or Australia.  I need a new project to tackle for my work.  Working on a new book and pursuing a new publisher in the UK for my other book! 

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey