What A Week!

Well it’s finally Friday and the end of what seemed to me to be a very long week, is in sight!  I’m not sure why, but everyday this week has been filled with responsibilities and other activities that needed to be completed in a timely manner.  Sound familiar?  I am sure that it does!

Isn’t it nice to know that how we feel doesn’t need to be governed by the expanse of our weekly schedule?  I told my wife last night that we were just going to relax and take it easy today.  But when I began to look at the unfinished items on my weekly To Do List this morning, I realized, with a certain sense of exasperation, that there were still many items to be completed TODAY!  Ahhh!!! 

But then, as I began to offer the blessing over our breakfast meal, I suddenly found myself becoming overwhelmed with praise and thanksgiving to God.  My wife joined in and together we spent a good amount of time just thanking Him for all that He has been doing for us and then praising Him for the truth of His word that we have been experiencing.

You know what?  I could physically feel His strength flowing into me, and began to notice that my attitude had begun to change from one of drudgery to EXPECTATION!  You talk about WOW!  But, when breakfast was over and the table cleaned, those same old feelings of YUK began to make resurgence within me.  And to make matters even worse… I began to entertain them!  I finally got a hold of my better sense as I came into the study to write this post and looked into His word for another shot of spiritual as well as physical adrenaline.

My eyes went right to my morning Bible study notes where I had copied and personalized Romans 8:1 & 2 from the Gods Word translation and I read, “So those of us who are believers in Christ Jesus can NO LONGER be condemned.  For the standards of the law of the Spirit who gives life (the Zoe life = the absolute fullness of life) through Christ Jesus have set me free from the standards of the law of sin and death!”  There you go… another WOW!  We’ve been set free from drudgery, depression and the desire to give up and go back to bed!

As Christians, you and I have access to that Zoe Life.  This is the life of God that is defined as “the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate; the absolute fullness of life; life that is real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed in the portion EVEN in this world of those who put their trust in Christ…” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions for Strong’s G2222 – “Life” as used in Romans 8:2) 

So… as they would say, “put that in your pipe and smoke it!”  Okay, so maybe that’s not the best way to put it, but you get my point!  Once you get that truth inside of you, whether you feel like it or not at the time, you will eventually begin to break free from effects of the cares of this world and begin to rejoice in the Lord for the freedoms that He has made available for you!

Therefore REJOICE with me this weekend!  Let His joy fill you and then spill out of you as you go about your responsibilities and pleasures this weekend!  Enjoy yourselves!  We’ll talk again on Monday, but until then, stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting TO ENJOY today?”

How Not To Live a Life of Terror!

I know that I had mentioned before about the multitude of doctors, medical technicians, nurses, and counselors that we have talked with since we began this journey of faith surrounding my wife’s health concerns.  As I was pondering a bit of new advice and insight that I had recently received, I began to realize what a horrible thing it would be to live this life without any hope.  I came to this shocking discovery as I considered the understanding that most of the counsel that we have been receiving has been based on a final outcome of defeat, or maybe more bluntly stated… death!

While I have used this as a caveat when discussing my wife’s health with those who are not of the faith, I have found myself becoming confused and at times angry when those who profess to be Christians tend not to agree with our stand of faith by picking at and then dwelling on what they mistakenly see as failures in our past.  What I came to see through this new information, was that these people ultimately have no hope for my wife to walk totally free of the attack of sickness on her body.  While they may also talk a good word about God’s healing power, it always becomes a conditional statement that cancels their faith when they begin to add the “but" you should be doing this or that!  This lack of hope is what has caused them to react in the negative ways that have occurred.  As this understanding began to unfold before me, I almost started to weep for them.

I have always had the type of personality that is kind of laid back and optimistic. This outlook on life has only become stronger and more prevalent as my faith and confidence in God and His word have intensified in me over the years.  This perspective on life usually causes those to whom we have come in contact with in the medical profession to comment on how well I am handling the events surrounding my wife’s case. 

It’s funny that the opposite has come out with some of those Christians that I mentioned previously.  They have mistakenly taken my outward appearance as a lack of concern or effort to do the right thing!  They failed to ask about the hours of research that I have been involved with over the last four years, the countless phone calls and emails that I have made to medical professionals, counselors, benefit providers, natural health specialists and pastoral care professionals.

Do I openly talk about all this effort?  At times, but only to those who need to know.  I want people to understand that while I keep very informed as to the natural procedures that can assist my wife, my wholehearted faith and total EXPECTATION is based on the truth of God’s word working for her!  Without that solidly based expectation, I would have no hope and my life as well as my help to my wife in this situation would be worthless.

I now have a better understanding and concern for those who have no hope.  It helps me to understand the fear, anger and critical remarks that have come out.  It is causing me to reach out and love with the God kind of love.  It is helping me to share what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-25 about the one who built his house on the rock.  That when the “Rain poured, and floods came.  Winds blew and beat against that house… it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock.”  (Gods Word ©)  The ROCK being that of Jesus Christ and the truth of His word.

My job as well as yours is clear.  We are to be portrayers of that life that is based on THE ROCK!  We are to love those who have no hope by drawing them into a life that gives them the EXPECTATION of a confident, successful finish.  A way that is not terrifying, but terrifically wonderful.  A way that is led by the loving arms of our loving heavenly Father.  A life of peace, joy and love that only He can give.  So, stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting to portray today?”

Coming Home

I had a tough time staying asleep last night.  I’m not sure if it was because of all the pent up emotions from the pressures of going to my wife’s doctors appointment in the City yesterday or not, but I just never really fell into a deep peaceful sleep.  It’s also kind of funny because it seemed like our dog was also quite restless.  With the colder nights, she has been sleeping at the foot of our bed.  She actually starts at the foot and then by morning has worked her way up the bed so that she is snuggled warmly between my wife and I!

Last night she seemed to be changing positions throughout the night.  During one of these episodes, I rolled over and looked at the clock, observing that it was 1:32 am.  The dog had stood up, turned around and then jumped off the bed.  She went and made herself comfortable on the floor in a corner of the room.  Mind you now, I had purchased a large doggie pillow for her to sleep on, but she refuses to use it as a bed, but instead as a large toy to drag around the room!  Anyway… I thought it to be unusual that she had jumped off and began to wonder how long it would take her to return to the soft, warm bed.

That time came exactly twenty minutes later at 1:52 am!  Once she had re-established herself against my legs, I chuckled to myself and suddenly began to think about how this was similar to those who walk away from God, only to return at a later point in time.  My thoughts were not necessarily centered around those who turn away from God to live a deviant lifestyle, but to those who just get distracted with the events of life. For some it’s the demands of their jobs, for others it’s keeping up with all their kids activities, it can be just about anything.  Countless events can act as a hook to pull our focus away from the things of God, and the peace that only His love can give us.

I know that for me, it can be easy to allow myself to dwell on the few (very few!) people who have pulled away or even against us throughout the fight of faith for my wife’s health.  Paul tells us to let God’s peace “guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus” and to “keep your thoughts on whatever is right!”  (Philippians 4:7-8 Gods Word ©)  When we get distracted and drift away from God, His peace can no longer guard us.

But be of good cheer for Romans 8:38 says “that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…”  (Gods Word ©)  I firmly believe that God’s reaction to us when we come to our senses and come running back to Him are the same as when our dog returned to the warm, cushy bed in the wee hours of the morning today.  I’m sure that He chuckles inside with the knowing love that only a father can have and understand and welcomes us back with open arms.

So don’t let pride or fear keep you from coming home into the arms of our loving heavenly Father, for He is eagerly and lovingly awaiting your return to Him.  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”  

The Eyes of Faith

Well, were off to the doctor again today.  We were not able to make the last appointment, and I wanted to make sure that my wife got in before all the holiday gatherings, so that I would have up to date information in order to answer all the relatives questions.  This weekend I was thinking about the multitude of doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel that we have seen over the last four years.  With all that input, it can be real easy to allow your emotions to fall into the trap of believing the current diagnosis that medical science has to offer for this disease. 

That’s where the importance of what I shared in the blog yesterday (“I CAN Get Some Satisfaction!” – 11/14/11) comes into play.  The only thing that can satisfy us and is the foundation of what we are EXPECTING is the word of God!  Once again, Hebrews 11:1 states that “Faith assures us of the things we expect…”  (Gods Word ©), and we know that our faith only comes “by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 King James Version). 

I am very thankful for all of those medical specialists that we have seen over the years.  Their help and concern has been invaluable, but the bottom line is that overall, we have decided to accept what Jesus says about the outcome of sickness and disease.  I thank God daily, that we have a higher source, an expert on the subject, Who’s word in infallible!

I have to tell you, that it is only because of THAT WORD that I am able to make it through the daily events of our current situation.  For me it is continually looking past what I see on the outside and concentrating on what the Word says about the ever increasing, visible results of the healing that is in motion within my wife.

And so, I encourage you today to look past any adverse situation that you may see, to stand strong on the His word, and like me, to see with the eyes of faith!  Remember, “God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.”  (Philippians 2:9 – Good News Bible)  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What Good Things am I expecting To See today?”

I CAN Get Some Satisfaction!

I am not sure why, but I fully awoke this morning about an hour before I usually get up.  After doddling around for about a half an hour, I finally got the coffee brewing and went into my study to spend my early time in the Word.  I finally figured out that the Lord wanted me to spend some extra time with Him today.

After some time spent in Romans and in prayer, I was led to an old favorite of mine in Matthew 5:6.  I especially like the King James Version of this verse.  In it Jesus says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”  The word “filled” is also translated as “satisfied” or “satiated.”  Vincent’s Word Studies states that it is a “very strong and graphic word” that “expresses the complete satisfaction of spiritual hunger.”

I believe that all mankind is searching for God whether they know it or not.  To me it is that same inner drive and desire that will cause an adopted child to search for their biological parents.  People will seek out and use all kinds of things to satisfy that hunger that they have inside them.  It can be anything from destructive habits to accepted activities such as video games, movies, jogging, sports, cars and the like.  The funny thing though, is that none of these things will give the participant the real and complete satisfaction that they desire.

According to Jesus as recorded in Matthew 5:6, thecomplete satisfaction will only come when you go after the things that are right in God’s eyes.  And those things can only be found through a right relationship with our loving heavenly Father and an ever increasing knowledge of His word along with our corresponding actions of faith.

So… if your feeling a little empty today, I would suggest that you fill that void with a dose of the power packed, energy giving, faith producing substance of God’s word!  In fact, take some extra so that you can share it with others!  Have a terrific Monday, stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting Today!”

A Bundle of Joy!

Today is Veterans Day and I would personally like to thank all of those who have unselfishly given of themselves in the service of our country.  May the Lord continue to richly bless you and yours in the years ahead!

Today is also very important to me, as it is our oldest daughter’s birthday.  I can clearly remember that late afternoon walk that my very pregnant wife and I took only a few days before the calculated due date of our second child.  Although we had carefully investigated and decided upon both a male and female name for the child, as we did not know what the final outcome would be, we were both tending to feel like we were going to have another boy… until that fateful day!  As we walked past our elderly next door neighbor’s house late on that chilly November afternoon, I suddenly sensed a change inside of me.  I paused for a moment, took my wife’s hands in mine, looked into her sweet brown eyes and softly said, “What if we have a girl?”  She simply returned my heart-felt gaze and said, “That would be great!”

The name that we had originally chosen for this child, if it was to be a girl, was Rebekah Kaye.  We had a friend at the time who had the cutest little girl whose name was Rebekah, and my wife’s middle name is Kaye.  It just had a neat ring to it!  But as soon as our eyes met on the sidewalk during that walk, we both knew that that wasn’t to be her name.  We quickly were led to the name of Jamie Joy as I had grown up in my family with the nickname of Jamie and both my wife and I really liked the name.  It was also an usual name for a girl at that time.  The second name was easy because after our experience on that walk, we knew that this child would bring great joy to all that she came in contact with.

So on November 11, 1982 our little bundle of joy, Jamie Joy, came into this world.  Jamie was all girl from the very beginning.  There was never any tom-boy stuff in her (unlike her mother).  She loved her dresses, playing the heroine in their make-believe world on the frontier with her older brother, and loved to dance in ballet.  It was kind of funny to see the subtle differences between Jamie and our youngest daughter in their approaches to ballet.  While Jamie may not have had the driving passion and striving for the exacting technique that JoAnna has (at 22, she currently takes private lessons with the desire to teach), she definitely had the “Stage Presence!”  I think it was all part of that “joy” that we knew she would (and still does) carry with her. 

I can vividly recall the ballet performance of Peter Pan that Jamie participated in when she was in high school.  While she did not get the lead role of Peter, she did play Captain Hook.  And to say the least, she stole the show with her depiction of the Disney cartoon movie’s bumbling character.  Her slinking on and off the stage, purposeful rendition of tripping over people and things (all while dancing) and her humorous hand and body motions had the entire audience in stitches!

Jamie has since married and now lives with her wonderful husband David in North Carolina.  She had been my rock to lean one when everything came to light concerning my wife’s health.  She and David where residing in Stockton, California at the time and were only a few hours away if I needed her.  When my wife had her initial seizure, Jamie was the first family member that I called.  She immediately took charge of calling everyone else and then headed to Santa Rosa.  When she announced David’s terrific new engineering position with Cisco and their impending move east, I was both excited (because of ALL the hard work they had put in to get to this place in life) and shocked at the same time as my rock would be moving about 3000 miles away!

Well, thanks to the modern technology of cell phones, texting, email and Skype, it is almost like they never left!  She is still my rock and is available for me to talk with at anytime.  In fact, I use Jamie as my sounding board for all my outrageous Children’ Church ideas.  She was one of my best Lead Teachers before she married and moved away, and as I said, has always had a flare and love for drama.

Happy 29^th Birthday, Honey!  And may your spreading of the “joy of the Lord” (Nehemiah 8:10, King James Version) not only be your strength, but continue to be the blessing of God to all that you come in contact with!  WE LOVE YOU!

Say everyone, have a GREAT weekend, and if there is someone special in your life, give them a call, or send them a text or email and let them know how special they are to you!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself…  “What (or WHO) am I expecting (to bless) today?”

Feeling Like A Space Case!

Yesterday I fought one of those sickening migraines and when I got up this morning I felt, as we used to say in the seventies, like a “Space Case!”  I think that the commonality of the use of that phrase must have come from all the communes that used to exist in the hills between our fair city and the coast. (some probably still do!)  Northern California has always leaned toward more liberal politics and in the sixties and seventies abounded with people seeking to live freely, unencumbered from the traditional ways most of us follow.

I can remember back in 1972 when I was attending Junior College and my English 1A Professor invited the entire class out to his place for an after finals party.  He just happened to have lived in one of these communes.  When my girlfriend (and future wife) and I arrived,  we were a little taken back when we realized that many of the residents lived in converted chicken coops!  My Prof lived in the only house on the property with his wife and infant daughter.  What I also recall is how unrelentingly the teacher quizzed the two of us, wanting to know why we went to the front door instead of just going through the (old and very dilapidated) back porch!

But, back to this morning...  After getting the coffee going I went into my study, sat heavily in my chair and then stared at the computer screen where I have a vacation picture of my wife and I set up as the background screen.  As I fought back the emotions, I thought about how different my wife looked in that picture, which was taken only a few years ago, compared to the changes that have taken place in her appearance as a result of the effects of the Dementia.

As I sat transfixed in thought, I caught a glance of my open Bible laying next to my keyboard.  Turning toward it, I noticed that it was still open to Psalms 16 from yesterday.  My eyes were immediately drawn to the second verse and I read aloud, “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord.  Without you, I have nothing good.’” (Gods Word ©)  My eyes then drifted right back to the picture on the screen and I heard that small still voice inside me clearly say, “If that is true, then the opposite of it is also true… With Me you have everything”  Then, He answered the silent plea that had been going through my mind as He stated, “Yes, Jim, you will see her that way again!”

In my excitement of the moment I spun around and grabbed my NIV Study Bible in order to read God’s promise to us from Romans 8:1-2.  It says “Therefore, there is NOW NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me FREE from the law of sin and death.”  With that I looked through my online commentaries to find the original meaning of the word “condemnation.”  According to James Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the word means “an adverse verdict or sentence.”  What it confirmed to me is that we are FREE from the adverse sentence that the law of sin and death placed on those who were under it.  Jesus has set us FREE from that law and we are NOW instead, under the sentence or verdict of the “law of the Spirit of Life!”  The effects of that statement of truth were quick and powerful for me this morning.  It was like having the “Space Case” immediately thrown out of court and replaced with the winning defense of the “Jesus Case!”

Do you find yourself fighting a losing battle with the lying verdicts that the enemy of our souls has delivered to you?  Well, it’s time to take Romans 8:1-2 to heart and fill that “Space” in your life with the everlasting, solidly TRUE foundation of God’s Word.  The Holy Spirit who works as our legal aid, always wins His case!  You are already on the winning side.  Now you just need to live like it!  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… What CASE am I Expecting TO WIN Today?”