Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know You when my life was good?
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give You praise.
Now it all seems upside down
‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel you now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need?
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances by Carol Kent.
“Most of us who have walked with Christ for a few years find it relatively easy to trust God for “the small stuff”–occasional financial reversals, minor physical challenges, relationship struggles, disappointments, lost opportunities. But an Isaac experience puts our relationship with God to the test. Do we really believe He is good and loving when our life is irrevocably altered in a way that causes hardship and heartache? When we experience a debilitating disease, accident, addiction, or heartbreaking loss due to another’s choice or our own, will we still love, trust, obey, honor, and worship the God we’ve claime to love, even in this? Even if nothing changes (94)?”
It has been very humbling to have so many people praying for me. Words cannot express how much I appreciate that. Here is an update on what is happening physically:
1. I had MRIs taken of my mid and lower back on Friday.
2. The neurosurgeon called Monday to say that he saw no problems in those MRIs. So, from his perspective, the issue with my numbness and tingling in the extremities is not with my spine. So then, what is it?
3. I have an appointment with a second neurologist a week from today at USC for another perspective. They will perform more tests.
4. I have an appointment with a second neurosurgeon August 3rd.
5. In the meantime, the symptoms seem to be worsening in my arms and hands.
So, please continue to pray. Pray most of all that I would trust God completely.
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances by Carol Kent.
“A seed has to give up its familiar form as a seed, allow itself to be buried in the dark earth, and trust that God will bring new life–even lush life–when the seed sprouts. In the same way, we need to be willing to give up whatever is most familiar, comfortable, and precious to us, allow ourselves to sink into the darkness, and trust God to bring life out of what feels like death. This is the mystery of fruitfulness: Life multiplied many times over from what seems like death (55).”
Last week, Paul had some pretty harsh things to say about The Law.
In Romans 7:6 he says that we were in bondage to the Law.
Romans 7:5 (NLT) When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death.
He seems to directly connect The Law with sin.
This raises the question, “Is the Law sin?”
Paul answers this important question in Romans 7:7-13. Come tomorrow to find out the role God’s Law is to play in the life of people living under God’s grace.
When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances by Carol Kent.
“When we fully understand that we are in a spiritual battle, that the world is not our home, just a “stopping off” place, we can begin to get excited about having a short time to engage in the battle raging around us (27).”
True heart sacrifices involve:
In Tuesday’s mail I received an official looking envelope from the Superior Court of the State of California. Gulp. I opened it to find that I am potentially part of a class action settlement against our insurance company due to “management service fees.” The amount of the settlement: $455 million! Hooray! I’m rich!
The next line in the document gave the amount I could expect to receive from this settlement: $1.56. Not $1.56 million. One dollar and fifty-six cents.
There must be a spiritual application here somewhere. Any ideas?
Leading With A Limp by Dan B. Allender, PHD
“Even in the church, “better” has become a consumer-driven concept. We ascertain the hot issues and the most winsome ways to win over the largest number of customers, clients, or congregants. In doing what is better, however, a more important value has been given the backseat. Perhaps in the work of growing the organization bigger through doing better, leaders lose sight of the goal of growing character (144).”
With My Own Eyes 