More On Minneapolis

My mom and dad (well, I as well) know a man who fell off the bridge last week. Here is his story. His parents go to church with my parents.

Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

I found this article this evening. I figured John Piper would have something to say on the topic, seeing as how Minneapolis is his home.

Continue to remember these families in prayer!

Who Knew?

I found my journal from 4 years ago and immediately opened it to a page with a verse that I would have never known 4 years ago would have the kind of mpact on me that it does today.

Regarding our current life situation, I find comfort in Genesis 28:20-21:

“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my Father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.’”

On Sunday morning, we had a couple from the IMB in our church. They are missionaries to Afghanistan and I don’t think that it is a temporary appointment. I can be so quick to wallow in my own grief of being so far from home while others are serving so much farther away and so much farther away from their family and friends. New Mexico is hardly Afghanistan. I feel very blessed to be where we are…knowing that we are doing what God has called us to do. Some days may be difficult and some are VERY difficult, but we are blessed to be here. As Elizabeth Prentiss said:

“We want to know no other will but God’s in this situation.”

Well said. And I believe it. But sometimes I just wished I lived it out in a more Christlike manner.

Tuesday Musings

We went made our trip to the grocery store on Saturday. An executive decision was made on the part of my husband: no more children. I was either go alone or we will have a sitter. Besides the fact that we had to buy pears that we didn’t even want (thanks to Sammy) and the fact that Simon can’t fit in an infant seat anymore (thus making his napping impossible), it is just too difficult. I told David to imagine trying to go by himself with all 3. Now that is interesting.

Secondly, graduation was Friday night. Sitting in the bleachers listening to “Pomp and Circumstance” took me back to my own graduation. So many hopes, so many aspirations. It is such a neat time. I have found myself quite cynical concerning the rite of passage than I used to be as I joked of how all these friends that they spoke of being there for them for the rest of their lives was probably not going to turn out that way. Any amens on that one?

Saturday night was another trip to the ER with abdominal pain that nearly killed me. One CT scan and much blood work later, still no answers. I am not kidding about the pain. 4 pain pills and 2 shots of demerol later, the pain was not even phased. I went back to my gallbladder surgeon yesterday and he couldn’t find anything wrong with me. I was listening to one of our counseling cds yesterday and Dr. Wickert said that sometimes God will keep your doctors from finding out what’s wrong with you so that you are forced to trust the Great Physician. How true that is. I wish I could say that I was doing better at the whole trust and joy in the midst of suffering thing, but I am not. I am lonely. I am hurting. I want Louisville. And I want my family. It’s hard being alone. Never-the-less, God is calling us to persevere. It is so hard, but necessary for Him to sanctify me.

Fresh Air to a Weary Soul

http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2007/05/shall_i_indeed.html

I suppose perhaps a valley has to go deeper before the ascent begins?

Any thoughts?

For thought and reflection

“Worship is the opposite of worry,” said John Macarthur in my latest read this week. I am clinging to that thought throughtout my days this week. Whenever I am finding myself tempted to be anxious or fearful surrounding my current life circumstances, I worship. I worship again. And I worship so more.

My children found me eyes shut, hands in the air, surrendered yesterday morning in my kitchen floor, iPod in hand and dishes in the middle of being unloaded. It is such a blessing for God to have opened my eyes to the knowledge that despite anything I face, He is still God. He is who He says He is. And He is going to do what He says He is going to do. And in that, I find peace. A flicker of peace. But the peace is there.

So, one might say, “When life hands you lemons, make some lemonade.” But I say ”When life hands you lemons, worship!” 

Christ as Sustainer

http://www.lifetomotion.com/login/coble/index.html

My friend Nicole sent me this link. I am devastated for this family and cannot simply begin to imagine the grief that they are experiencing. My prayer is that they are believers.  How could a family possibly deal with a loss of this magnitude were they not resting in the Hope that they will one day see those precious babies again? Were they not experiencing the profound peace of our Lord Jesus? Please pray for this family. They will be needing so many prayers over the next months. I would beg to say even over the next years.

This story serves to remind me as Christ as sustainer.

Psalm 3:5 says: I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.

We don’t sustain ourselves. God sustains us. Despite our efforts, we play no role. David and I were discussing the “unthwartableness” (I know that’s not a word) of God’s will and it is very hard to accept and also comprehend.

An encouragement to all those hurting, however, remains:

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.  Psalms 46:1-3