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