Soli Deo Gloria

Happy New Year!!

2009-12-31T11:09:00.002-06:00

I'll count it a great blessing if there is but one person out there in cyberland who hasn't given up on this site and returned to find this post - thank you!

It seems that everyone lately is commenting on how fast 2009 passed, and Michael and I must chime in our "aye" to that sentiment as well. So much has happened this year, since my last post, so I will attempt to "briefly" update you all.

We underwent many firsts during this spring and summer, beginning with our first burglary in April. I came home from a brief trip to Walmart one Monday morning to find our front door kicked in. Thankfully, by God's grace, the apparent nature of the invasion allowed me to contact the police without putting myself in danger. The intruders helped themselves to various electronics and jewelry around the home (though I'm sure they were disappointed overall!!) Despite our sorrow over such actions, we were more than grateful for our safety and the protection of our landlord's home overall. God is good!!

A week later we embarked on looking to buy our first home (this was already planned prior to the burglary.) My parents were in town for a visit and we had a lot of fun beginning this process with them. After a month of twists and turns, praying and seeking, wheeling and dealing, God put His mark on one particular house and the door opened wide. We were able to move at the end of June and begin the process of painting, installing new carpet, and making this house our home. Once again, "kudos" to my parents who served us tirelessly in painting about 80% of our house. We couldn't have done it without them, and it certainly would not have been as fun!!

The summer was topped off with a gall bladder removal and a complete change in Lyme treatment for me, and the discovery of how severe the effects of Michael's mycoplasmal infection truly run.

In it all, God has been faithful, merciful, gracious, gentle and loving in so many ways. We praise Him for each day we have to learn about Him and be transformed into His likeness through joy and sorrow.

We hope that each of you are well and knowing the blessed peace that comes through fellowship with the Lord.

Happy New Year and Blessings in Him,

Darla

Hello Dear Friends

2009-04-06T20:41:00.004-05:00

Well, my desire to blog a little more regularly is still not being realized; thank you for checking in, nonetheless. It seems that the days just fly by as Michael and I commit ourselves to faithfully attending to the daily responsibilities that God has given to us.

In addition to staying busy at work and ministering in our church, we have also undergone several new moments together on the health front. Since my last post, I have undergone a minor outpatient surgery to insert a port which replaces the picc line we had to pull in January. The surgery was very successful (praise God) and I officially completed my second month of IV therapy today - complication free. I am noticing benefits to the IV meds which is encouraging. Please continue to pray that the doctor will have wisdom in determining the source of other symptoms and the corresponding treatment.

Michael continues to work through his chronic mycoplasmal infection, and we learned this past week that he has severe allergies to wheat, corn, soy, peanuts, potatoes and tomatoes...hhhmmmm...explains a lot of his fatigue. We are in the process of determining which route we will take regarding allergy shots and adjusting to new menu planning and eating disciplines.

In the end, we are continuing to know God's GREAT grace through this interesting time, and are reminded that in the midst of benefiting from wise doctors and powerful medicine, that they all come from the hand of our Great Physician. We continue to trust in His sovereign plan regarding physical healing and wholeness and pray that your trust in Him is also being enriched each day.

Much love!

Darla

Still Alive in 2009

2009-01-16T09:25:00.003-06:00

It has been a miserably long time since I posted which gives you indication to how busy life has been over the holidays. Michael and I are still alive and ticking and thankful for our faithful God who blesses His children every day!

Michael and I were able to get away for 10 days over the Christmas break to celebrate our anniversary at a wonderful B&B and then off to see family for almost a week. We couldn't believe how big our nieces and nephews have grown since this summer and it is a delight to know that they still want to hang out with Uncle Michael and Aunt Darla even as they approach the preteen years.

We also had a stowaway of sorts with us during the holidays - my picc line. After consulting with the doctors and praying for over a month it was decided that my neurological symptoms indicated the need for IV antibiotics. So, after Thanksgiving, Michael and I made an outpatient trip to the hospital where they inserted a catheter which allowed us to infuse antibiotics twice a day. It was a rocky road at first in trying to manage the side effects, and learning the routine of caring for the picc line was also an adventure. God blessed us with a great home health agency and very attentive nurses. We began to notice quite a difference in my improvement over the month, but we recently hit a snag in that my arm became swollen and sore which required the doctor to remove the picc line for fear of infection. Please pray for us and the doctor as we are still seeking to understand the cause of the irritation and the wisdom and necessity in installing another picc line, possibly next week. We know that God is faithful to guide His children step by step; we are learning to be satisfied with wisdom for only the next step and trust the rest of the process to Him.

As for Michael, he is improving in his treatments slowly but is still wrestling with regular fatigue. His sweet doctor is continuing to monitor other peripheral issues which may be contributing to his health struggles, but we are so grateful that after years of chronic back pain such pain has subsided with the treatment of his infections - who knew!! We thank God that Michael is knowing what life is like without the pain.

While there is so much to tell about health issues, and while our health does greatly effect our daily lives, there is so much more to what God is doing in us and around us that goes far beyond our health challenges. We continue to be blessed to worship and serve with our sweet church family and are enjoying the priviledge of teaching in the 6-7 year old Sunday School class this year. Oh the things that children say! We were blessed to celebrate our second anniversary in December and recount the many things that God has done and shown us about Himself over the last 2 years. And, we are SO blessed with a loving family and friends who love and encourage us and who point us to the Living God!!

So, I hope that the future will bring more consistent posts, but in the meantime, know that we are well and pray that you too are basquing in the sweet mercies and love of our Savior.

Darla

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

2008-10-31T07:58:00.004-05:00

With election day closing in so quickly I have found myself being more watchful of the national news and pondering more and more the ramifications of this election outcome. As I'm sure many of you can attest, such thoughts can be disturbing, even chilling, and I am quickly reminded of our reliance on a merciful God. While no candidate is perfect, as a God-fearing believer with a biblically founded faith, the choice in candidate is obvious.

In considering all the "what-if's" of the election outcome, my mind quickly goes back to thoughts and feelings that emerged during the Clinton/Bush Sr. election. How I dreaded the thought of a liberal president having his way in our country; yet I also understood that if enough of America voted for such a commander in chief that we as a nation needed to experience the consequences of this decision. And though the feelings that accompanied my thoughts about the future possibilities of such governance were less disturbing than now, I find that my comfort comes from the same source. The truth that we learned so long ago in that simple tune "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" is the very theme of the Holy Scriptures: God is sovereign in all things. The book of Daniel says it so perfectly:

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and he sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding;

he reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness,

and the light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22

As we await the results of Tuesday's election I pray that God in His great mercy will allow all things to be revealed about our candidates and that He will move in the hearts of Americans to choose the candidate that MOST represents His ways. I pray that He will save us from deception which could destroy the building blocks of the God-honoring principles which remain in our country. In the end, however, whatever He allows, my hope is in His sovereign, providential governance of this entire world. He remains faithful to never leave or forsake His children no matter how strong His discipline may be. May God have mercy on us!!

Darla

I Need Thee Every Hour

2008-10-03T08:18:00.003-05:00

It seems like posting is a rare event for me lately and it is always nice when there is time and energy to sit down and write. If you are reading this post, I pray you are doing well and are enjoying the sweet mercies of our Great, Great God.

This week I was reminded of the fact that while this season of life certainly presents many unique challenges, as it does for many of you as well, it is not beyond the realm of our Father's sanctifying work. Quite the opposite, actually. On Sunday, during a conversation with a dear friend God convicted me that in order to know greater healing it was time to implement a new phase of my treatment plan: a change in diet. It will come as no surprise that sugar and white flour are very bad choices for a person with such diseases as these products only exacerbate the already chronic internal inflammation that the diseases cause. While my head knows such realities to be true, this sugar-loving, baking fiend could not muster up the energy to commit to such an endeavor despite the health benefits that it would bring.

However, this unexpected conviction that wisked into my heart on Sunday led me to start a sugar free, gluten free diet on Monday. Yet, as I began my early morning meal planning and shopping list, I was overwhelmed by my complete weakness to be disciplined in this area. The thought of not being able to enjoy such luscious treasures, especially in fellowship circles, was very saddening and served to immediately weaken my resolve. I found myself praying to God, who provides mercy in all circumstances, and confessing that my flesh was very weak and that apart from his daily power I could not carry out this much needed change in my life. I was humbled as I pondered the ridiculous nature of this struggle - my flesh loves food! How could I struggle over such a menial aspect of life - sugar and flour? How quickly I was reminded of the weakness of my flesh apart from His Spirit. And how delightful it has been to see Him faithfully give me the strength and desire I need to make such a dramatic change day by day, as I turn to Him.

So, as I reflect on a week filled with His grace, I am reminded that the utter and complete dependance on my Father that I have witnessed in this physical area of life is the same dependance necessary in the spiritual realm. Though I may not see it as I ought to, I am equally dependant on Him to accomplish His holiness in me in all things. Whether it is having self-control to make wise food choices, the gentleness needed to deal with the wayward, or the humility to see my own sin instead of accusing another, the reality that Jesus set forth is always at play: "apart from me you can to nothing." It is true that apart from His Spirit applying His Word into my life I am not made new to be like Him. I will continue to harbor dark, ugly, enslaved areas of sin until I cry out "apart from you I can do nothing!!" I am comforted by the fact that as I remember and respond appropriately to my desparate dependance on my Creator and Savior, that He fulfills His desire to make me more like Him. Oh that I will remember the words of a fellow believer, "I need Thee, oh I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, o bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee."

Darla

Walking the Line

2008-09-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

It has been 2 very busy weeks since I last posted and pray that all of you are doing very well. Last weekend our church, Redeemer Church, hosted a Women's Retreat with speaker, Carolyn McCully (see her blog here.) Carolyn has a book which will be officially released on October 1 titled "Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World". Carolyn did a thorough and God-honoring job of spelling out the historical seismic shifts spanning several centuries which have resulted in the great feminist quake of the 21st century - a disaster, founded on legitimate concerns, which could only be orchestrated by Satan himself by using the powerful tool of fallen humanity. I encourage each one of you to get a copy of her book as I believe every person will be challenged at some level to consider his/her concept of biblical womanhood - and manhood -and to bring every thought captive to the Word of Christ.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the retreat, Michael and I both visited with our doctors. We still have a significant period of waiting to get definitive results for Michael's condition, but his body's response to the meds seems to indicate that the body is actively fighting the Lyme disease. Please keep praying for definitive results over the next 6 weeks.

You may be wondering about the title of the post. Well, it is inspired by my last doctor's visit. During each appointment my doc conducts several exercises which measure the level of infection in the base of the brain and each time I fail miserably. You all are familiar with the sobriety walk (hold your arms out, look straight ahead and walk heal to toe). Well, this is a good test for such issues and, to my surprise, I have not been able to walk even one step without tumbling down. This past visit, however, was different. Yes, I looked a little bit like Bambi when he first attempted to walk, but I could at least "walk the line" without falling. This is a sign of significant improvement and certainly an encouragement for Michael and I both. We recognize that we still have a lot left to be conquered but we are thankful for the healing that God seems to be granting. Words cannot express our gratitude for your prayers and love as they are a visible reminder of our Great God's love for His people. Blessings!

Darla

Sharing the Load

2008-09-03T15:09:00.002-05:00

We just learned this week that some dear friends of ours were also diagnosed with Lyme disease. For some it seems impossible that 2 couples in such close proximity could be dealing with the same disease, yet it is a reminder that Lyme is not as rare as many claim. So many go undiagnosed due to the limited understanding of Lyme being communicated in most medical schools; it is a reality that we struggle to imagine in a world filled with such great technology and vast information. However, it is a wake up call to the fact that we live in world created by an omniscient God and no matter how advanced humanity may seem, we can never outwit or fully understanding the work of a Mighty Creator, even when that work is cursed by the Fall.

Lest this sound depressing, and though we are not happy that our dear friends are also walking this road of many unknowns, it is a testmony to the fact that our Father blesses His children even in the difficult times. Instead of allowing us to walk this road alone, in His Sovereign plan, our Father has allowed us to share this time with other believers who can experientally "get it." Having the ability to sort through treatment options, the interpretation of tests, and deal with so many other questions that emerge in the journey with brothers and sisters is such a gift! So as you pray for Michael and I, please pray for our friends whose names I will leave off my blog at this point for the sake of their privacy. Please pray for great grace and wisdom, for financial provision and cooperative physicians, and that God will continue to mold us all into His image through this experience. May He receive the glory!

Darla

Refreshment

2008-08-26T10:29:00.004-05:00

My husband and I are still recovering from what was a busy, strenuous, and exciting weekend with the youth at our church. We helped in various capacities with the Disciple Now at Redeemer and enjoyed seeing the teens truly engage in the topic at hand - The Supremacy of Christ in a Post-Everything World! How wonderful to witness teens using their God-given sense of discernment to recognize the Truth versus the subtle distortions which are hurled at them throughout any given day. My heart was thrilled with the work God is doing among them!!

Of course, it is no surprise that Michael and I were utterly exhausted after Sunday - Disciple Now and Lyme disease don't exactly go hand-in-hand :-). So, this morning's reading of the Psalms was especially refreshing to my soul. In the midst of this season of life there are times when progress toward healing is evident and then times when it appears that we will never return to "normal." In longing to know the what, when and how of the future in regards to ministry, it is easy to fall into the trap that somehow I am missing out on God because we presently cannot serve as we would choose. Then I read Psalm 19 - "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." While for the believer, all things should lead us eventually to the perfect law of liberty, the Holy Scriptures, I am reminded of the simple yet profound fact that it all begins with him and so much of who he is can be seen in his creation. He is the beginning and end to all of our service, love, and purpose in life. As Psalm 19 progessively unfolds to us - He screams out who He is every moment of every day - beginning with his creation, then leading us to his law and precepts which are able to "revive the soul."

As I sat in my living room I rejoiced that when the Spirit instructs our heart and mind, no situation can hinder us from delighting in the Lord our God! As the sun beamed through the window and the trees swayed in the sky, it was a reminder that there is always more to know about my Father and He has given me everything I need for that to happen. I just need to prayerfully lift up my eyes to see Him. In the end, when I see him face to face, my Christiformity will be all that matters. Praise God that by His Spirit nothing can stop that process!!!

Darla

Hello Friends

2008-08-18T20:03:00.002-05:00

It has been oh so long since I posted and I am grateful if you have not given up on returning to my blog. The past few weeks have been interesting and tiring. I returned to the doctor last Wednesday and we both agreed that my increased fatigue and other symptoms are due to one of the diseases resurfacing - one we hoped we might not have to deal with due to past treatments. So, new meds and a trip to the opthalmologist are in my future. In the meantime, we are anxiously awaiting the 27th when Michael goes to see a specialist for his Lyme condition. Please be in prayer for this visit, that Dr. Hamel will have great wisdom in discerning all that is going on with Michael's health.

Yesterday, I sat in church being very grateful that in the midst of a difficult season of life God continues to bless us with a sweet, God glorifying church body with whom we can worship and serve. As I listened to the sermon I also became aware of a dynamic that has laced this past year's journey. When I am physically weak from tiredness and sickness my heart is most sensitive to God's Spirit. I noticed that as Pastor Tim preached my heart felt more conviction, sympathy, love, gratitude, etc., etc., than when I am feeling physically strong. The words, "when I am weak, He is strong" came to my mind and I was so touched to understand in that very moment more of what that truth is like. Though I get frustrated when I am confronted with my current limitations, I must also say, "thank you, Lord" because He has chosen during this time to purge my heart of the subtle but still repulsive sin from which my heart needs to be set free. He truly is faithful in every way!!

Darla

We Can't Escape

2008-08-02T09:56:00.002-05:00

There are so many interesting and puzzling tensions in God's Word. Conflicts that seemingly can't be reconciled or require much prayer, teaching of the Spirit, dialogue with other believers, sleeplessness, and even headaches in order to sort through them. Surprisingly, or maybe not so much, is the tension that arises around the security of our salvation. Anyone who considers eternity for a minute will feel a pit in their stomach or a ball in their throat upon the thought of feeling insecure regarding salvation in Christ. It is a miserable existence at best to be uncertain of whether heaven or hell is one's final destiny.

Added to this mix is the complication of having preconceptions about salvation brought in from our past religious traditions - traditions not firmly grounded in Scripture. One individual who learned, whether through spoken or unspoken directives, that we "earn" our salvation may constantly live in fear over whether or not one is truly saved because "maybe I'm just not doing it right." The questions arise: Did I really mean it when I prayed that prayer long ago?, Was I serious enough when I walked the aisle?, Did I go to confession enough or did I forget to tell the priest something?, Have my good actions out-weighed the bad actions over time?, What if I am one of those people who believes in Christ but loses faith over time and drifts away? Constant fear is the order of life.

Yet others don't worry at all. Perhaps they were taught that God is loving but never heard about His wrath against sin. Past teachings may have even promoted the thought that somehow I am deserving of God's salvation and that there is no way He would destine me to hell because God is only loving. In this case, questions often never arise. Rather a thoughtless sense of security exists which lulls the individual into believing "I've got it covered!"

The reality is, neither position is appropriate for those who profess to be a believer in Christ. As with most things in the Christian life, balance is called for in order to live in freedom and with wisdom simultaneously. On the one hand, Scripture is clear about what distinguishes a true believer. One who is truly saved will believe that Christ "is the way, the truth and life" and that "no one can come to the Father" but through Him. If we believe that He, through His death and resurrection, is the only one who can turn God's wrath from us, if we place our faith in Him to do so, and if we "hold our original confidence firm to the end" then "we share in Christ." As Paul told us, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1

However, warning to the believer is also very apparent in God's Word. In Hebrews 2 we are told to "pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it" for "how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" Or further, in chapter 4, we are told to "strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience." And who can forget Paul's very direct exhortation to the Corinthians to "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" 2 Cor. 13

Certainly a healthy sense of fear should emerge within us upon hearing such commands. I personally am reminded of my weakness apart from Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit alone to save me and sustain my faith during my life in this hostile land. The world hates Christ and would love nothing more than for our hearts to turn away from Him, believing that somehow we are "okay" and his death was just a great example for us. I am also reminded of how vital it is to spiritual life to know God's Word front and back. Not to know it for intellectual purposes, but to know what God has shown us about what a true believer should exhibit. I am not saved by my works, but my works certainly bear witness to true faith, or lack thereof. How trivial other things become in light of this urgent plea to Christians today to not "neglect such a great salvation!"

Darla

Magnificently Supreme

2008-07-24T07:00:00.003-05:00

It seems that music has been especially ruminating in my thoughts lately. As I was pondering passages in the book of Hebrews the lyrics to a particular song I heard years ago came to mind:

So great a salvation, so costly the gift
So great a redemption that the dying might live
So great a salvation, so high the price,
So kind a Redeemer, supreme sacrifice,
Great is your love, great is your love
-David & Becky Durham

As the book of Hebrews unfolds a predominant message that jumps from the pages of Scripture is that the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, is Supreme. Supreme in what? Supreme in all of his nature, position and personhood to be counted the perfect sacrifice for our sin. It is a reality that Christians hear over and over again in church, Lord willing. Perhaps a truth to which our minds and hearts become numb; one of those realities that we hear and quickly think, "yes, I know that, move on." However, I am reminded that this reality should never become trivial or mundane to the life of the Believer for it is the pillar of the confession which demonstrates true salvation. Time and time again the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to "hold fast" to our confession to the end. What confession? That Jesus, in His supremacy, is the only one qualified to serve as the perfect, adequate sacrifice for sin. All other attempts for salvation are futile. Our confession of His supremacy to accomplish salvation, not only in general, but in our own life is what we WILL hold to until the very end if we are truly saved!! Oh Father, grant to us tender hearts and yearnings to understand the supremacy of Christ more and more that our confession will not be meager but will boldly proclaim that Christ alone is our High Priest who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens."

Darla

Doxology

2008-07-22T20:56:00.002-05:00

The following doxology will be so familiar to many of you that the tune will ruminate in your head for the remainder of the day:

Praise God from Whom ALL BLESSINGS flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

These lyrics echo in my mind this evening as today has been filled with such blessings from my Father. That said, I must acknowledge that, yes, all things come from the hand of our perfect, sovereign God, whether it be that He gives to us or takes something away. Today He has chosen to give a precious treasure that has been rare over the last 6 months and that is energy. I praise Him that the new meds seem to be working and that, for today, I was able to accomplish so many things around my home allowing it to be, Lord willing, a better haven for my husband. Normally, making the bed or emptying the dishwasher would be the big task for the morning. It seemed that with each passing moment I not only had the energy but the desire to take on another chore. Yes, a nap was in order this afternoon, but it was much sweeter with a clean kitchen and a tidy guest room. Though the difficult days have brought great sharpening to my heart and mind, I am thankful that my Faithful Father also chooses to bring delight to His daughter by bestowing ease. My heart is so touched!

Darla

Lyme Doctor - Round 2

2008-07-16T20:42:00.002-05:00

So many of you have been faithful to ask about how we are doing and to inquire of the latest news regarding the treatment process. Thank you so much!!

We returned to the Lyme specialist today to review the last month of treatment and to review the results of our bloodwork. My test results confirmed the suspicion that I acquired more than just Lyme disease - it appears that I have 3 additional tick borne diseases. The doctor adjusted the treatment plan to hit the most important diseases first. I am actually grateful for one of the med changes as I was able to discontinue the med which led to nausea.

A new development in the situation is that bloodwork reveals that my husband may very likely have Lyme disease too. My doc only specializes in women and we are currently praying about and seeking the wisest option for my husband to receive a full clinical evaluation in this matter and, most likely, begin initial treatment as a precaution. Please join us in prayer that we will know God's leadership in the right medical professional for Michael and will know God's continued financial provision as we will both be undergoing treatment for a time.

All of this said, we continue to delight in God's GREAT GRACE during this journey as He encourages us through His Word and through His body. We love you all so much and are thankful for His great blessings through you.

Darla

Good To Be Home

2008-07-09T14:32:00.003-05:00

It has been over a week since my last post due to the fact that Michael and I made a longer than usual trek to Oklahoma to visit with family. We enjoy the blessing of having all of our parents within a one hour radius of one another, but it certainly makes for a busy trip. Last night we pulled into our drive way at 9:00 p.m. with visions of our own bed dancing in our heads...we are grateful to be home!

This particular trip brought some unexpected blessings. Upon our departure from Texas my father made the announcement to me that he had unloaded all the boxes from their attic which I stored in years past when living conditions did not allow for a lot of "stuff." While I was excited to see what kind of treasures (and other scary items) awaited me from years past, the work did not thrill me, I must confess. Soon after arriving at their home on Saturday I began taking a preliminary inventory of the pillage before me when my dad and stepmom brought me a memorable gift. My stepmom had gone through vast amounts of pictures beginning with shortly after my birth and made a photo album. This album was not only filled with many precious memories, but also contained pictures of my biological mom who died many years ago. I was so taken back!! I have never been good at taking pictures, we in fact do not even own a camera yet. To have these memories in an organized fashion meant more than I could explain. Michael and I enjoyed the time of sitting and looking through them. I was able to explain my childhood, college experiences and life in Hawaii to him in a new and vivid way.

I am thankful for the unexpected gifts which our Father provides through His people. It was good to visit "home" where our parents and siblings always await with excitement. And while saying goodbye to them is always a little sad, and dragging a ton of boxes back with us was not all too fun, we were so grateful to be back at our real home - exhausted and grateful for the fullness we enjoy because every part of our life is infused with the hope we have because of Christ.

Darla

His Blessed Word

2008-07-01T08:29:00.004-05:00

I hope the following passage blesses your spirit as it has mine this morning. Whatever you may be facing, joy or pain, stress or leisure, I pray that you will know the peace of our Life-Giving Father that is abundant for those who fear Him.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."
Psalm 103:1-5, 11-14

Darla

Faithful in ALL Things

2008-06-23T18:53:00.002-05:00

My husband and I were pondering the amazing faithfulness of God as we drove to work the other morning. Not only is He faithful in all circumstances, but sometimes His ways are so subtle and mysterious that they are not apparent as such until after the fact.

Many of you know that making the decision over which medical specialist to see was greatly puzzling and confusing for us. The controvery over Lyme disease presents a significant amount of dilemna for a patient. Because of the great confusion and debate over the appropriate treatment of such diseases, my husband and I were forced into a furious research project over the issue. We learned more about Lyme disease, possible treatment options and the corresponding risks in a 48 hour period then we thought possible. We did not realize how helpful this information would be until we began sorting through the informed consent from the specialist's office the day before the initial appointment. As we poured over the information and treatment options we would be required to make, we were amazed that nothing took us by surprise. We were sober as we deeply considered what was best. However, we both commented later that were it not for our crash course in tick-borne diseases that ensued the prior week we would have felt overwhelmed and greatly uncertain of which path to take.

As I mused over such circumstances I recognized that our week of confusion that seemed very stressful was certainly not in vain. Had God made the appropriate choice for a physician obvious from the beginning, we never would have embarked on such a thorough journey of information. However, the confusion led us to a process that prepared us for a decision we did not know we would have to make. Praise God that even in the confusing times He is providing for His children. I am thankful that as we look to Him we can see His strong and faithful hand of guidance, provision and protection. Such provision brings great peace!

Darla

Journey to Denton

2008-06-19T07:11:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was our big day to visit the Lyme specialist in Denton. Thank you for all your prayers for this event as starting with yet another doctor can leave one a little apprehensive. We were very pleased with this doctor and so grateful for the zeal he has to help individuals suffering with Lyme disease. His entire family has suffered so many more dramatic complications than we have gone through, and you can see the pain on his face from it even now. The doc told Michael and I that he "used to see Lyme disease as a curse, but now he thinks it may be a blessing so that he can help others." We definitely count ourselves as already blessed by his experiences.

As we suspected he ran tests for all the coinfections, though he is fairly certain that in addition to Lyme we are also dealing with the diseases called Bartonella and Babesiosis. I promise I didn't make those up!! :-) You can also be praying as blood was drawn from my husband as well to test him for all of the same diseases. It can be transmitted sexually so the chances are high that his fatigue, etc., may be from having this too. Sigh!

We will know the results from all the blood work in 3-4 weeks. In the meantime please pray for God's mercy and grace as I began treatment last night. It is typical to feel worse in treatment before you feel better, but the degree of this phase, the timing of it hitting and the length of it is uncertain. I am already feeling a little sick and restless through the night, so I am praying this will not get worse and will be short lived.

Thank you, again, for your love and concern. In closing, I must say again that our Father is so very faithful. Michael and I were saying yesterday that despite all of the doctor visits and tests which begin to add up in cost, God has been so faithful to provide for us. He is truly good to His children and we can only boast over and over of His love and grace to us!!!

Darla

In Secret

2008-06-14T10:44:00.003-05:00

As mentioned in the last post, the ladies at my church studied the topic "What is Prayer?" for our monthly Bible study. While it is always appropriate to study the disciplines of the Christian life on a regular basis, this study on prayer was particularly timely for so many reasons. In general, God continues to show me the overwhelming nature of circumstances in both my life and the lives of friends and family which speak to our complete and entire dependence on Him. Lest I become too confident that life is going well because of self effort, I am always reminded that it is in Him that we "live and move and have our being."

There is one aspect of prayer as a new covenant believer that I have come to appreciate so very much during this study. It is the fact that we can now pray to our "Father who is in secret" in a secret place. In the Old Testament worship centered around the tabernacle/temple because that is where God chose to dwell among His people. 1 Kings 8 clearly reveals this fact in Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple. The Israelites would either go to the temple or turn towards it during their prayers and pleas before Yahweh.

However, with the coming of the True Temple, Christ, everything changed. God's dwelling among His people was fulfilled with Christ's death, resurrection and ascension. Now, by the aid of the Spirit, we turn to Him as He intercedes for us in prayer. Instead of going to or turning towards a physical structure, we turn towards our great High Priest, who enables us to boldly approach the throne of our Father.

As I sat in my quiet living room this morning in prayer, my heart rejoiced over this matter. It seems lately that physical exertion has become increasingly difficult and I was reminded of a short walk from a parking lot to a building yesterday that felt like a 5 mile hike. In that moment, I was so grateful that God has so graciously enabled us to approach His throne in secret. No longer must we go to a physical structure, but, instead, we are able to know great intimacy with Him by adoption as His children. May we as His children basque in this great priviledge and never overlook the opportunity to commune with our Father in such intimacy.

My heart overflows with gratitude!!

Darla

His Kingdom Come...

2008-06-09T22:01:00.005-05:00

As many of you have read in the past few posts, my husband and I are in the middle of a new season of life as we have many decisions to make in the near future regarding this new diagnosis and treatment. It is God's perfect timing, of course, that the topic of study which I am preparing for the Ladies Bible study this Thursday night is "What is Prayer?" This was not planned on my part, it just happened to be the next on the list so to speak.

As I read a collection of passages on prayer throughout the canon of Scripture something became very apparent. The focus of prayer for God's New Covenant people is different than that before the cross, resurrection and ascension. Because of God's great mercy in saving a people for Himself, we now are given the spirit of Christ to live within us. And this spirit of the Risen Lord that lives within the believer cries out for the reverence of God's Holy name, for His kingdom to come and for His will to be accomplished within every prayer. It is the backdrop for every prayerful utterance of the true believer.

When thinking of this reality I am reminded of a specific show I used to watch on PBS. It came on every Saturday morning. If you have seen it, you will remember a painter who was laden with a big, brown curly head of hair painting landscape scenes ever so calmly and fervently. My grandpa used to watch him and I believe that is how I got hooked on this very odd show. Nonetheless, one memory stands out. When painting the landscape, he always began with the backdrop. He would adorn the blank canvas with broad sweeps of blue for the sky and green for the grass. Detail would begin with mountains and clouds, then narrow in on trees, a river, flowers, and perhaps a little log cabin nestled in a valley. One thing was apparent: the detail only made sense in light of the backdrop. Such it is with prayer. In Matthew 6:5+ Jesus shows us that every practical matter we bring to the Father should always be presented with a zeal for His name to be kept holy and for His kingdom to come.

What a challenge! I pray, Father, that you will continue to grow my heart, and the hearts of those who read these words, to yearn for the glory and holiness of your name and for those you are calling to yourself to come in completion, so that we may know your glory in its perfect display in the new heavens and new earth. Teach us to lift up every practical prayer within the backdrop of such desires.

Darla

Update

2008-06-03T23:16:00.004-05:00

I have not been able to respond to each one who has left touching messages on my last post, but thank you, thank you, for your love, attention and prayers!! God has been faithful. A few days ago my husband and I were swimming in a foggy sea of doubt regarding which direction to take for a specialist. Forgive the cliche, but we are learning that finding someone who truly understands Lyme disease is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But praise God, He has given us clarity for the first step. I spoke with a doctor in North Texas today who takes the matter seriously and is becoming increasingly educated on the broad spectrum of health issues related to this disease. He called today and spoke with me personally (very impressive) and I will be seeing him on June 18.

We still cherish your prayers as advanced testing remains to be done to determine if coinfections exist which commonly occur with Lyme. Please pray for wisdom and understanding for all involved. God continues to show us that He "knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him."

With great praise for His faithfulness!!

Darla

Craziness

2008-05-30T22:42:00.002-05:00

It has been over a week since I posted last. Life has been extremely busy and I made a huge mistake regarding an event date. Apparently I never bothered to check the calendar and see that Memorial Day was LAST weekend and my husband and I were scheduled to help with childcare for an Arabic Bible Conference on Memorial Day Weekend. So, I found out two days before the event that I only had a couple of days to finalize preparations versus a week and a half. God is so good....he provided the people and resources we needed to pull the weekend off!! Needless to say, I have spent the week recovering in every way!

I don't usually post a lot of personal details on my blog, just because I figure you don't really want to hear about the boring details of my life. HOWEVER, I am going to ask for prayer from whoever graciously stops to read this post. Some of you may know that I have undergone chronic health issues, rather random in nature, for the past 4 years, with the last year being especially intense. We received word this week that I tested positive for Lyme's Disease. Of course, if this is an accurate assessment, the disease has had four years to do damage to my body; we are seeing the effects of that now. However, the greatest prayer is that God will provide a specialist who we can afford to facilitate further testing. Please join us in prayer that our gracious God who promises wisdom to those who ask would make His plan especially apparent.

Thank you so much for your help!!

But I LOVE to talk!!

2008-05-19T08:45:00.004-05:00

If any of you know me in person you know that I absolutely love to talk. I love getting to know other people and sharing in mutual experiences - after all, I am a woman!! :-) So it has been no surprise that in married life my greatest challenges come in knowing when to speak and when to be silent. I realize this is a common area of concern for both women and men and it calls for nothing less than the wisdom of God. It is fitting, therefore, that the verse which God impressed on my heart this week was from James 1:19-20, "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires." Of course, most of chapter 3 continues to elaborate on the wild nature of the tongue, it's near refusal to be tamed, and the righteousness that demonstrates God's wisdom which is displayed with one's ability to conduct themselves in all meekness. In a time when both my husband and I were wrestling with fatigue such verses brought a special infusion of wisdom into my life. By God's grace I found myself reviewing this passage in my mind and meditating more on my heart's intent in speaking as well as the needs of my husband in a given moment.

It was no surprise, then, when our sermon text yesterday from Ecclesiastes 5 covered the same material - I love the perfections of God's Word!! Specifically, God speaks through the preacher Solomon saying, "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifices of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words." Ouch!! I am left asking the question, "What should this look like?" How do I take these passages with the somberness they require without living in fear? These are questions I must ponder more.

In the meantime, I welcome your comments!

A Holy Reflection

2008-05-12T22:10:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been in a situation where one individual is upset with another individual and you are the recipient of such information? And as you listen to the grievances of the one airing them, you recognize that the words they are using to describe this person who desparately upsets them are the very words you would use to describe the grieved individual. In other words, you see that person A bothers person B because they are so much alike. Lest I sound too critical, I know I have been humbled in recognizing the error in myself of which Jesus so warned us about - I don't remove the beam in my own eye before attempting to remove a splinter in that of a brother or sister.

I was recently observing this dynamic in two individuals and my mind quickly recognized the absurdity and blinding power of sin. How easily we can see ourselves in a certain way when others around us view us quite differently. Sometimes we are self-deprecating, yet all too often I am self-exalting within my spirit. It is so much easier to see the shortcomings in a spouse, friend or loved one than to see my sin in it's appropriate scope.

God faithfully brought James chapter one to mind as I was pondering the folly of the flesh and reminded me that just as He saved me by the power of His Word, He also sanctifies me in the same way. God through James 1:21-25 tells us, "Therefore, put way all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

As I come face-to-face with God's Word in a meaningful manner I allow my flesh to be exposed. After all, his word is "sharper than any two-edged sword" piercing to the division of what normally is impossibly to distinguish. Only God's Word can reveal to my heart what is truth and what is a lie, what is hate and what is righteous indignation, what is selfishness and what is the selfless fruit of the Spirit. As God's Spirit changes my heart by the power of His Word, I am able to live out who He is. To refuse to submit myself regularly to His teaching leads to a subtle shift in my perspective. Suddenly, I become the measuring rod for what is "okay" versus God Himself. I quickly forget who I am, who I really am, for only God, The Truth, can reveal my true self.

Thank you, Father, that you have not left your children alone. Instead, you have given us your Spirit and Your Word to change us into your likeness. In the midst of busy days and multiple obligations, please give us the grace, discipline, and hunger for Your Word that we may be a holy reflection of you!!

He Speaks

2008-05-06T09:21:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in my post on Sunday, I have been digging into the topic of Creation in preparation for our ladies Bible study this month. And one of the most exciting realities of being "in Christ" is that we can never exhaust our understanding of who He is and how He works! In 1 Corinthians 15:46 Paul explains that "it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven." In describing the role Adam played in being "a type of the one who was to come" we see that God always works in the physical realm for more than one purpose; so often, He is showing us what He is doing spiritually.

Such is true with Creation. When God created ex nihilo, out of nothing, how did He do it? He spoke. He spoke into an earth that was "without form and void" to create a people for Himself and a place where they would worship Him. Such creation overflowed with His perfection and order. However, sin distorted His creation leaving humanity to basque in unbelief and all other creation to suffer from mankind's folly.

Yet, praise be to God, He did not stop His creative work. From the moment the curse was set on Adam, Eve and the serpent evidence of God's grace was in view..."I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel." Sin did not take God by surprise; the plan for Christ, Yahweh in the flesh, to bear the curse for humanity was already in place before the foundation of the world. The one who was present at creation ("in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...") was already in place to create a new humanity who would bear His image far more than Adam and Eve could have apart from the Holy Spirit.

And even today, God is still accomplishing His work of creation. The creation of a new covenant people who will worship Him forever, by the power of His Spirit, because of the work of His Son. Not surprisingly, God works to recreate today just as He did in Genesis. How does God create a new humanity for Himself? He speaks. How does He speak? Through The Word by the Holy Scripture. Yet instead of speaking into an empty earth, God's Holy Word speaks into a soul that is without form and void, full of sin and death. And just as the Holy Spirit, hovering over the waters, was present in the creation account, so now, God's Spirit unites the dark, formless soul in faith with The Word, to the praise of His glory.

Listen to the words of Paul: "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

And God Saw That The Light Was Good...

2008-05-04T21:49:00.004-05:00

It has been so very long since I have posted. If you are reading this, thank you for coming back. I have been preparing for our Ladies Bible Study and this month we are studying the question "What is Creation?" An obvious course in my preparation was to read the creation account in Genesis. I praise God for His faithfulness to reveal new things about Himself and His Word as we progress through our Christian journey. As I read Genesis 1 and 2 I quickly recalled the focus of the creation story as I learned it from childhood. The account went something like this: On the first day God created light, on the second day He created the heavens, and on and on until He rested on the seventh day. Of course, the order of creation is important as are all things in God's Word. However, God was quick to reveal that so much more is evident about Himself in this first chapter of His Word.

As we look upon all God is doing when He created the earth, we can see that His desires are on display and certain standards are set which establish a precedence for the rest of salvation history. For example, on day one God reveals a very important reality, one which we must cling to daily if our Christiformity is to be complete. When God creates light He immediately declares it to be good and instantly sets it apart from darkness. God shows us that light and darkness are always separate. While they coexist, they are never to interpenetrate one another. Furthermore, the darkness will never overpower the light. On the fourth day, God creates the lights in the heavens, the "greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night..." In God's economy, the light always rules.

Doesn't such language sound familiar to our ears? It is not coincidence that in John 1 we are immediately taken back to creation as the author writes "In the beginning was the Word...all things were made through Him and without him was not anything made that was made." The writer continues the creation imagery by comparing Christ Himself to the light. "In him was life, and the life was the light of man." What does He say about the light? "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Praise God!!!

It is then appropriate that Paul, in writing to the Christians in Ephesus, would exhort them by saying "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light..." When God created the heavens and earth He certainly was creating a physical place where He would then create a people who would worship Him. However, He was also revealing who He was and what He desires so that we might live to His glory and honor. God's actions in the physical realm give a picture of what He would do, and is now doing, in the spiritual realm.

Father, please give us the grace and strength to recognize darkness from light and to walk as children of light displaying your glory for all to praise your name!

I'm Still Here

2008-04-22T22:51:00.002-05:00

For those of you who check out the blog now and then, please don't stop. Due to getting through a difficult spell with my health at the beginning of the month and undergoing a transition in my job, I have not had much time for blogging. I will, however, pick it up again sooner than later and hope that you all will check back in.

Much love to all of you out there!

He Has Not Forgotten

2008-04-03T10:51:00.004-05:00

"During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel - and God knew." Ex. 2:23-25

It is amazing how seasons of life pass where suffering seems to pervade the lives of so many brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we share our daily life. Our pastor faithfully reminded us this past Sunday that while we are not called to intentionally seek out suffering as a Christian, just as the pattern of Christ's earthly life was that of a suffering servant, so it will be for those who are called by His name. However, any suffering is always for His glory and the edification of His body when we suffer as our life is hidden in Christ.

Seeing the sufferings of several loved ones this week brought to light how quickly our faith can waver when God's ways are not apparent in our particular situation. There are times when God seems to act so quicky and obviously in dire circumstances, while at other times He appears to be inactive, silent, or to have completely vacated the premises of our lives. At such times He is merciful to remind me of the great treasure He has given us in His Word. So often I solely focus on the great victories He accomplished for His people and His name: parting the Red Sea for Israel, opening Hannah's womb, and the climactic miracle of sending the Son of God to be born of a virgin to accomplish reconciliation for sinful humanity. However, equally as important is the suffering which preceded such mighty acts. In God's sovereign plan, he allowed Israel to suffer in Egypt for 400 years; Hannah was mocked by Peninnah and repeatedly wept before God fulfilled her request for children; and the faithful of Israel awaited the coming of the promised Messiah, many of whom "did not receive what was promised." What an encouragement regarding God's faithfulness when we see that such monumental victories in salvation history followed intense, seemingly relentless seasons of suffering. Times when God SEEMED silent and distant. What a reminder to hold to His promise to "never leave" and "never forsake" his people. During our sufferings, may God grant us the praise of His name and the faith He poured out in Mary upon hearing of her divine conception:

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." Luke 2:46-50

Unshakeable Kingdom

2008-03-29T09:41:00.002-05:00

This week has been another busy one and my husband and I faced several moments which remind us that we live in a constantly changing and unpredictable season of time - life lived before heaven will always be changing and unpredictable. We have witnessed dear friends just last week enjoying a victory in a great trial only to be faced with gut-wrenching agony again this week. We personally have seen health and job issues change like the shifting sands. It is a reminder that the only steadfast reality in this life is God Himself and His kingdom. It is no coincidence, then, that Paul's call to be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" was given after declaring our victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 15:57-58)

My Bible reading for Friday morning brought a moment of great thanksgiving as I read Hebrews 12. I was reminded that certainly all things will pass away, but for those who have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, we now reside in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. One day those things which are temporary and not founded upon Christ Himself will be uprooted to no longer defame the glory of God. But for those of us who are children of light through faith in Christ Jesus we can be confident in the middle of this wildnerness journey that we have the hope of a kingdom which will never fade away. When things change from day to day, when God's promises seem too far away or so hard to grasp, when we feel insecure in the uncertainties of life, we can rest on our Father who is already executing his unshakeable kingdom. Listen to the words to the Hebrews:

"See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken - that is, things that have been made - in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." 12:25-29

Maundy Thursday

2008-03-22T08:04:00.002-05:00

This week has been a very busy one. My husband and I are house/dog sitting for friends and I have had several unusual engagements. In light of the busy time and in looking forward to Resurrection Sunday, I was especially grateful that our church was holding a Maundy Thursday service. My husband and I attend a Reformed Baptist church and they have several opportunities for worship which differ from the tradition in which I was raised. A Maundy Thursday service is one of them. We attended our first service of this kind last year as we had recently joined the church. I was curious about the purpose of the service last year and grasped such purpose quickly upon arriving. This year, I thought to ask the question: What does Maundy mean? My husband proceeded to explain that it is a Middle English word, derived from the Latin mandatum which is the first word in the Latin phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you" John 13:34) In case Maundy Thursday is as new to you as it was to me, the purpose of the day is to mark the time between Jesus washing of the disciple's feet and the betrayal and death of Christ.

This time is vital to so many because the service does not end as in resurrection Sunday, in celebration of the Risen Savior. Instead, one leaves the service feeling the weight of Christ's death in which He carried our sins upon Him. One perhaps can imagne the sense of dread and hopelessness that His followers felt after he had given up His life. They had no understanding of a ressurection at that time; they couldn't understand it yet! Such horror and dread I'm sure made His ressurection much more victorious!

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" Isaiah 53:4-6

His Blood...

2008-03-17T07:25:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, being Palm Sunday, brought a variety of opportunities to consider Christ's crucifixion. My husband and I attended an evening service with some friends at a different congregation. Part of the fellowship time included a viewing of The Passion after the service. I recognize that many people object to the movie for a variety of reasons, one being the gruesome depicton of Christ's death. Aside from the movie's shortcomings, I am always grateful for the instruments God uses to point me to His word. 1 Peter 2:22+ states "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." No matter what a movie declares to be true, the Word reveals that Christ's death was gruesome. When considering the sacrifice of The Lamb of God who alone could provide an eternal offering of His body, our minds should go back to the Old Testament sacrifices. These were given in God's mercy as temporary measures to satisfy His wrath.

Ponder the process of the priests offering sacrifices of such animals: the killing of the animal would result in the immediate shedding of blood pouring over the hands of the priest; the priest would use his own hands to sprinkle the blood of the animal on the mercy seat and carry the blood inside the veil. Such blood was a constant reminder to the priest that such a gruesome act was what His and Israel's sin required. And as awful as it may have been, it was not enough to blot out their sin for all time!

Sin is horrific, all sin, including my own. The wrath of God required a mighty sacrifice which no other than Christ could provide, no other than Christ could endure without sinning against the Holy One. While not wanting to lose sight of the corporate nature of sin, I also do not want to miss the fact that my sin alone would have required the horrific death of Christ to bring about reconciliation to a Holy God. One unloving thought, one insincere intention, one lie would require this great sacrifice! My sin is just as ugly and just as offensive to our Holy God as that of Barrabas, the thief on the cross or the most embolden criminal today. Praise God for His great mercy and praise God for the Son's obedience to the Father, even to the point of giving His life. The words of David become a balm in pondering the depth of my own sin. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:11-12

God in Three Persons

2008-03-13T22:35:00.003-05:00

I lead a ladies Bible study at my church on the second Thursday night of each month. Tonight's subject was "What is the Trinity?" Understanding the three in one aspect of God for any human is like a person in a 3 dimensional world trying to grasp a being in a 10 dimensional world - it can't be fully accomplished! However, Scripture has given us as much as we need to know while living on earth.

Part of our discussion this evening dealt with whether or not our understanding of God's Tri-unity impacts our faith on a daily basis. One woman so appropriately summed it up by saying, "I came to accept the reality of God being Trinity so long ago, that I have moved on and really don't think about it." How easy it is to shelve this topic on the "things figured out" level and be satisfied with a general understanding of our God's great nature. Yet how amazing it is when we recognize that every time Yahweh acts, he does so in His Trinitarian nature: from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. When God accomplished our great salvation, he did so as Trinity; and when we pray our God is working as Trinity to accomplish His purpose in us and for His kingdom. My understanding of how God is working and relating to His people changes entirely when I recognize that God the Father sits in heaven with God the Son at His right hand serving as a perpetual High Priest for His chosen ones while the Holy Spirit works to convict of sin and righteousness, teach and intercede on behalf of the elect. The Son submits to the will of the Father, while the Father seeks to exalt the Son and the Holy Spirit carries out the will of the Father which the Son accomplished. Each acting humbly so that in all God will be glorified! What a perfect, mighty and yet mysterious God we serve. All praise to Him!!!!

Do Not Grow Weary

2008-03-12T19:57:00.002-05:00

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons." Hebrews 12:3-7

I am so thankful for God's faithfulness to mold His children through His perfect, two-edged Word. This morning during prayer time I was considering the trials of our dear friends as well as pleading to God for my own struggles, so insignificant compared to others. However, my daily struggles are the perfect storm for revealing my own sin. Anger, impatience, a critical spirit, or complacency are always stirring within and are enough to lead me into distress instead of to the throne of my Sovereign Father. After petitioning to my patient High Priest, the Lord led me to this passage in Hebrews. It was such a reminder of how important it is to "look to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith" who left the glory of the Father, took the form of man, and lived among sinful humanity instead of enjoying the complete glory of the Father. Though residing on this earth with the stinch of sinfullness surrounding Him, Christ never despaired and never sinned, but instead looked ahead to the prize that would await: full glory with the Father as the firstborn among a new humanity, those he would call brother and sister and who would in turn call Him Lord. Thank you, God, for the gift of a sympathetic High Priest who has taught us through His perfect life how to forsake sin for the gift of future glory!! May we have greater grace to live in such a manner, to "lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely."

How Vast is His Love!

2008-03-10T23:04:00.002-05:00

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

The time to celebrate our Savior's unfathomable death and glorious resurrection is quickly approaching, and I am reminded of how quickly my mind is "prone to wander." As I get older I find that I must give greater intention to preparing my heart for such a purposeful time of celebrating Christ's victory in rising from the dead. Such victory is for me and anyone whose life is now hidden in Christ. However, to truly grasp the magnitude of such a great salvation, I find it necessary to meditate on the weight of sin, our sin, which required a perfect sacrifice to satisfy God's wrath. Yet my mind is more apt to dwell on the to do list, that call to a friend, or simply catching a few moments of the news. How lazy I can be and how difficult it is to plummet to the depths of this great salvation! During this Easter season I pray for the grace to more accurately and poignantly understand the weight of humanities sin which required the Lamb of God to give Himself so that we might live to the praise of His glory. Father, may Your grace enable us all to understand how great and vast is your love which is so richly and gloriously displayed in this perfect sacrifice and vindication of Your Son. The words of Frederick M. Lehman say it so perfectly.

The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.

God of ALL Comfort

2008-03-09T09:40:00.002-05:00

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in
comfort too." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Please pray for our friends, Amy and Allen, who are experiencing an unimaginable dark trial right now regarding their son, Simon. (Click on The Dantzler Clan for their blog.) Please pray that the God of all Comfort, Yahweh Himself, will give them grace to know His comfort that they will be able to sing His praises and know His perfect, loving ways in the midst of such a dark time. We love you so much, Amy, Allen and Simon!

Glimpse From Our Anniverary Trip

2008-03-08T20:56:00.003-06:00

My husband, Michael, and I took a trip to Ruidoso, NM in December in celebration of our one year wedding anniversary. Michael tried to get footage of this buck all week. Finally, on our last day he was thrilled to enjoy an up close and personal encounter from the porch of our vacation cabin. Take a look!

Welcome to the World of Blogging

2008-03-08T19:41:00.005-06:00

I am fairly new to the world of blogging. My only exposure has been recent introductions to blogs of my friends who share about the joys and challenges of life. While I can't imagine having much time to commit to developing a blog right now, I can see the value in the future, especially in connecting with dear friends who live far away. So, here I am, finally getting started. This should be fun!!!