Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

This is an older post that I found in my archives that I never finished and posted, so tonight I'm going to dust it off and polish it up for your reading pleasure, enjoy:



My heart feels sad for our little Jonah. Today I watched him writhe and scream as one vile after another of blood was taken from his tiny little arm- seven all together. When he was through, he was absolutely drenched with sweat. These were the first of fifteen tests ordered for our little guy today... and we were promised more to come.


"Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4

This verse has been the source of much comfort for me in the past, but tonight, I don't want it. How is this trial a testing of my faith?

And anyway, I don't want to consider it pure joy. I don't feel any joy, I can't make myself. I am glad that the Lord believes Josh and I are worthy to undergo this trial, but sometimes I'd like to learn lessons without the consequences of actually having to learn.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Wouldn't it be nice if we were humbled by God but didn't have to face any long-term grief because of our lessons?

And wouldn't it be nice if every bad thing in our life was put there solely to teach us a lesson anyway? I used to believe that. Small, naive little girl that I was. (I think this belief used to drive my mom insane!)

The only thing I can think of right now is that Bible verse about discipline:

"For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes each one he accepts as his child." 
(Hebrews 12:16)

Well, I don't know if watching my son go through an illness or battling one myself, watching my children or spouse die, or feeling the pains of starvation... or whatever trial you might want to insert here... would be considered a discipline. Trials? Sure. But are these trials we all face really how we are disciplined? I don't think so.

When my son is disciplined, it is painful for him. His little hot-stuff, puffed-up pride is injured and he is grounded back to reality.

And as much as I'd like to, I just don't think that that kind of discipline is the same thing as him watching his beloved dog die in his arms while he has no idea why. (No, this hasn't happened in real life- yet.)

So what purpose does watching your dog die serve when you are three? What purpose does watching your son/spouse/father die serve when you are old? Why do bad things happen to good people?

Because they test our faith.


"But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold."
Job 23:10

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 
1 Peter 1:6-7


If you are a believer in Christ, you are not being disciplined when something bad happens in your life. You are not being punished for some wrong you know you've done, forgot you've done, or think you must have done sometime way back when. You are precious to our Lord and Savior. More precious than gold, and for some reason he has chosen YOU to purify and refine.

So somehow through your tears and questions and anger I urge you to give thanks. Give thanks to that God who is outside our time and knows the end before our beginning. Give thanks that He has found you worthy, and try hard not to ask why. Our minds cannot understand God's why.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Separation of Church and State


There are some political activists, who so often believe in a completely different set of worldviews than I do. They like to talk about a separation of the church and state. These lobbyists use this phrase to crush any form of Christianity that might possibly have a positive impact on the citizens of this once-fine nation.

Islam? “Now that should be allowed in school,” they say. Somehow they manage to mandate prayer rooms and designate times so Muslim children can be allowed to practice their religion during school. To deny them this right would be impeding on their religious freedoms… But, of course, at the same time, Christian prayer has been banned from school in any form. Some Christian children are even being told they cannot say a prayer of thanksgiving before they eat their lunches…

So I’d like to weigh in on this whole separation of church and state issue.

I agree with those activists who “cheerlead” this separation of the church and state. I simply cannot wait until this separation has finally been achieved!

One day our glorious Lord will appear in the sky with the sound of a trumpet, and those who are dead and those who are alive who have loved the Lord and accepted his saving sacrifice on their behalf, those people will be removed from this earth. And what will be left but the complete and utter separation of the church and state?

So here is my request to all of you champions who want to get the church out of your schools, out of your businesses, and out of your lives: Let us go about our work of the Lord. As soon as our work is through, and not a second longer, our Lord will remove us from your sight.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

To Those Warriors


 About a month ago I met a woman, Nancy, who I got paired with at a MOPs leadership meeting so that we could pray together. She gave me her prayer requests and I gave her mine in that normal, matter-of-fact way that I have about myself. I was not looking for sympathy, pity, or anything of that nature. I was just answering the question at hand. Boy was I was surprised when she started crying because of the things I was asking her to pray for. She said her heart was weighted and overwhelmed with sadness for my situation with our son.

Nancy started out a complete stranger to me that day, but she also prayed for me that day, and she continued to contact me often to keep telling me that she was praying for our Jonah.

One month later I got to seek her out to tell her that our Jonah had been healed.

I am grateful for all of the prayer warriors out there who lifted up the name of my son when I was too discouraged, resigned, and dutiful to do so for myself.

To Nancy: (Matthew 9:36) who chose to be Christ's hands, feet, and voice to a stranger.

To my mother: (Proverbs 31:29) who prayed our Jonah through the miraculous healings from Fish Odour Syndrome, an inability to drink even the smallest drops of water, and an inability to smile because his misery was so great, even while he slept.



To the elders of our church: (James 5:14-16) who laid hands on Jonah, prayed for him, and anointed him, Josh, and myself with oil.

To Bob: (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) who came out to our house just to lay hands on Jonah and pray for his miraculous healing.

To Ed and Vi: (James 5:16b) who prayed for our Jonah everyday and also engaged members of their church in prayer for his healing.

To the members of my mother's church: (1 Thessalonians 5:25) who lifted our son's name to the Lord.

And to anyone else who told me they would pray with more than hollow words:

I thank you.

Our son has been miraculously healed, and it has been because of your prayers.

I did not have the right faith. I did not have the right prayer. (Romans 8:26-27) Never once did I feel as if I deserved God to take this trial away from my life, but because of you he has.

I can see no greater representation of the church here on earth than your great faithfulness.

Again, I thank you. 



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Disabled Children

I think sometimes our bodies tell us we're stressed when we don't even realize we are. Me? I get sores in my mouth. I've had as many as seven at one time. Painful sores. They hang around for a week or two. Not much helps them go away.

Today I have four.

I live a good, blessed life. What do I have to be anxious about?

These are words I repeat to prevent myself from overreacting to situations I'd rather not be a part of. 

This week a lady told me I had a disabled child. This was news to me... And then someone else told me I had two disabled children. Same week.

Stop.

I don't.

I don't want to.

It would be easier if my children were visibly disabled, right? Down Syndrome is a disability that everyone can see. Accommodations are made for these children without words ever having to be exchanged. There is an understanding among other mothers and their children: this child is different and this mother is doing the best she can.

I didn't have time to feel angry about my boys needing braces. It was life and still is life. We have gone weekly then monthly to physical therapy for the last 20 months. Well, cheers. Here's to another two years, as the weekly visits resumed this month with Son Number 2.

 

The pictures and videos are sad for me to look back on. But the joy is there too: when he took his first steps ever at 22 months of age, just seconds after receiving his first set of braces. He hated them. But he could walk.

And so now it's business as usual with Jonah. No problem...

But, my baby.

What else is wrong with my baby? 



To all those mothers who look at their disabled child and don't know how to fix them: I am sorry for you. I am saddened with you. I stand by you in that crowded room as we hold our babies high for someone to notice, for anyone to care. 

Who will help our babies in this world?

If we get a diagnosis, what if it doesn't help? What if there is no cure? What if our child will forever have to be accommodated for? How will he survive the humiliation? How will we survive the deprivation of what was supposed to be normal in our lives?

.....

When you have the answers, let me know.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'"
Isaiah 41:13

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Proverbs 3:5-6

"The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time."
Psalm 34:17-19

"So be truly glad. There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. it is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."
1 Peter 1:6-7

Thursday, July 10, 2014

No More, America

There once was a king, Manasseh, who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21). He built alters for Baal and made an Asherah pole. He worshiped all the hosts of heaven and served them. He burned his son as an offering and consulted fortune tellers, omens, mediums, and spiritualists. Not only did he participate in this evil, but he led the nation of Israel to participate in all his sin. Israel sinned more than any other nation before her because of Manasseh’s poor leadership. The Lord’s anger burned because of Israel and Manasseh.

In his anger the Lord said that because of the abominations Manasseh and Israel had committed he would bring such disaster on the nation that every ear who heard of it would tingle. He said that he would even forsake the remnant of his heritage and give them into the hand of their enemies to become prey and spoil to them.

…….

A couple of years later a very good king began ruling in Jerusalem, King Josiah (2 Kings 22). King Josiah started ruling when he was eight years old; he restored the forgotten Law of the Lord and rid the land of all the idols Manasseh had erected. There was no king before him or after him who turned to the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and might according to the Law of Moses (2 Kings 23:25).

Bear with me…

Even though King Josiah turned to the Lord with all of his heart, soul, and might, and even though the whole nation of Israel turned again to serve the Lord, God did not turn away from his burning anger and planned wrath against Israel that Manasseh had provoked in him years earlier. The Lord still planned to destroy Israel.

…….

So how can we relate this story to our lives today?

In America, the majority of people do not serve carved idols. We don’t bow down to them or offer sacrifices: child or monetary. We don’t even know what an Asherah pole is.

But I believe what America has done is worse. We have not been deceived into worshiping heavenly hosts or images that we believe are gods. No, we worship ourselves.

Our children are not sacrificed on an alter to satisfy a statue’s desires. No, our children are sacrificed in our bellies to satisfy our own. We do not lay down the first fruits of our labor- our money, our food, our gifts of any kind- at the feet of an idol in some sort of temple. Our first fruits are spent on ourselves. And we certainly don’t waste our money to build high places of worship for the heavenly hosts; no, we live in mansions (compared to the rest of the world) filled with stuff, always wanting more, bigger, better. The lusts of these foreign gods of these ancient nations are manifest in our own lives today.

And this is not a new phenomenon. It is, and always has been, the American dream.

Even if a president rose who restored this nation into a God-fearing, Bible following, perfect society, I believe it is too late for America to be saved. The detestable abominations we have done in the Lord’s sight, I believe, are too evil not to be punished.

I look at these old nations in the Bible and at the Israelites… at least they were serving false gods. At least they were serving something they perceived to be bigger than their selves.

But, not us. Not Americans. We are our own gods… and after all, wasn’t that the reason for Satan’s fall in the first place? Didn’t he consider himself an equal with God? The Lord made redemption available to fallen men who were tricked into believing a lie. He did not provide an avenue of restoration for the spirits who declared their selves to be god. It is the ultimate rebellion.

America, what are you doing?

It is a grave sin, and I am afraid for your future.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

In Our Dreams We Are Able To Fly

"In our dreams we are able to fly and that is a remembering of how we were meant to be." Madeleine L'Engle

I learned this saying years ago as it was embedded into one of my mom's works of art. It has stuck with me ever since.

Have you ever dreamed you could fly?

I have dreamed I could fly since I was young.

In my dreams I hover the ground mimicking a standing position, but floating forward, always forward and rising ever higher.

It is an effortless, leisurely, peaceful-kind of fly. No wings; I just think and I go.

Most lately I have not had dreams or "memories" of this happening. This memory has been replaced by a deep and very real desire. My soul looks to the sky to see it open. My spirit longs to ascend and go home.

How long, oh Lord, must your people wait?

There is an intense longing growing in the hearts of those who are saved. Have you felt it? This desire is spilling out in everyday conversation. Strangers bring up their longings which validate my own.

Something big is happening, and you and I are in the middle of it. The things that are coming are things of our nightmares. Terrible things of our imagination on this earth.

But to those who have believed and are saved, there remains a blessed hope of Jesus Christ returning in the sky to take us home. (Titus 2:12-13)

Lord, come quickly.

Amen.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The Things We Live For


We have had a busy week, and so much more is planned.

This week alone…

Our beautiful children have gotten to go and see the chickens and hear the roosters crow up close and personal. Twice. Jonah wasn’t sure if he was safe when he heard the roosters crow, but finally decided it was okay.

Micah and Lydia got to see the ever-exciting, elusive Longmire, a baby peacock who is just starting to grow his feathers long and proud like his dad.

Our whole family took a picnic breakfast down to Spring Creek with the Grammy. Micah and Lydia ate an entire bag of Donnetts by themselves, save two lonely donuts, and also munched on cookies. Lydia walked around in Spring Creek, while Jonah waded his little feet. I waded in while carrying Micah and we saw the little fish and crawdads. Twenty five years ago my mother took me to the shores of this same creek for a similar unhealthy, delicious breakfast, and I am so grateful to have gotten to take my babies there for the first time in their lives as well.

Oh, but that is not all we have done this week…

The whole family went to Meremac Springs at my dad’s suggestion. Once there, we had a pizza picnic under a pavilion during the pouring rain. A giant thunder shook the pavilion, and our brave babies awed at God’s wonder. The downpour started once we were safely under our pavilion, and it cleared up just as we finished eating. (God is good!)

We walked all over Mermac Springs that day: around the spring and under the cave, by the hatchery and through the museum. The children fed the fish, saw some SNAKES, and slid down a slide as many times as their dad could stand. Jonah didn’t sleep until we were headed back to the car. Everything was too exciting.

But that’s still not all our children have gotten to do and see…

Yesterday Micah and Lydia got to meet up with their friends at MOPs, and they were each surprised with new books and toys when they woke up from their naps (Goodwill specials).

And then today I took all three kids to a strawberry patch and let them pick strawberries to their hearts’ contents. Micah carried a little basket, and Lydia tried to carry a giant tray. We saw more roosters and goats. A chicken walked right up to the kids and almost let them touch her. We played on playground equipment and then headed home to feast on a snack of fresh strawberries. (Ten times better than the strawberries you buy at the store.) We also made a cake.

All this and it’s only Wednesday… What other fun things are planned for this week?

Tomorrow, the children have a play date with several other families at a park, and on Friday, they will play with friends at the YMCA before coming home for a very long nap. Because Friday night, the family has BIG plans…

Friday night, we will all watch a movie together and then camp out in the sunroom. We will have a playroom picnic, make smores, and read stories. Nobody is expected to go to sleep before midnight if they don’t want to. Our little babies get to stay up late and look at the stars. We will listen to the critters of the night: frogs, crickets, and owls and maybe take a walk in the cool of God’s night.

These are the things that should make up our lives. Our gracious Lord has given us this beautiful earth to enjoy. But how often do we destine to enjoy it? Instead, how often are we too overworked, overstressed, or overwhelmed to intentionally enjoy these creations?

This week my children have enjoyed the Lord’s creations of nature, family, friends, and wonder; and I have gotten to enjoy all of these things right along with them because these are the things we live for.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Waiting for a Call


I once wrote a post about waiting patiently. I thought I had learned how to wait patiently and maybe- during that time of my life- I had.

But now I find myself waiting again.

I have an eerie peace as I wait- savoring what could be a last few minutes or hours of blissful ignorance. And maybe I won’t know anything until tomorrow anyway.

What’s wrong with our son?

With two pediatricians, two specialists and a third on the way, fifteen tests and a promise of more to come, I am waiting for the first ten of Jonah’s results.

What do we do as we anxiously await the trials in our lives?

Through all the trials in these last couple of years and even now, only one verse comes to mind: “Be still and know that I am God…” Psalms 46:10

And so I sit. Still. Waiting… for something.

Verses don’t come to mind and songs don’t either. Explanations? Answers? I don’t have either. But, questions? There are too many questions to remember.

I know God loves me and he loves my son. Why else was our little boy so large when he was born? Before he was born, the doctor said he was small… only a six pound baby, but he was visibly shocked when a 9 pound baby popped out in his hands! We all laughed at his reaction to the beast of a baby that was born! God knew how precious those extra pounds and ounces would become during the next few months of Jonah’s life, and he graciously provided them for him. Thank you, God.

I am grateful and awed, but worried for the reason(s) to come.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

 Thank you for this reminder, Mommy. Those in Christ wait patiently, while those without him wait anxiously.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A Message To Believers

The Lord is coming again!!

He is returning for his people, and we must be ready!

Look around. And be aware of these signs that God has given this generation:


"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."
 Revelation 1:3

"Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you"
 Revelation 3:3

"For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places."
 Matthew 24:7

"There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven."
 Luke 21:11

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,"
 Luke 21:25

"The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes."
 Joel 2:31

"...Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
 Daniel 12:4b

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
 2 Timothy 3:1-5

 "Now the spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,"
 1 Timothy 4:1

"...scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming?"..."
 2 Peter 3:3b-4a

"Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions... before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives."
Joel 2:28b-31b

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
 Matthew 24:14

"Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
 Luke 21:28

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
 Luke 21:36


 The end is coming, and I believe it is coming very soon. No man, angel, or even Jesus knows the date that the Lord will return, but God instructed his believers to be watchful and to know the season of his return.


"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."
 Matthew 24:32-34


We are in the season of the end times, my friends, and while we prepare for these terrifying and glorious days ahead (to quote from Jan Markell), "let us always look back and thank him, look around and serve him, look ahead and trust him, and look up and expect him."

Do not be caught unaware and become one of the ones who are left behind.