Friday, October 4, 2013

Consider: Trust RJD 10.2013


(Journal Entry 4/14/2004)

Read John 6:1-24

Summary:

Jesus fed at least 5,000 people in spite of Philip and Andrew’s misgivings. Then the disciples set out to cross the lake to Capernaum. They had rowed a distance of three and a half miles. A strong wind picked up. Jesus came to the twelve, walking across the water.

Terror gripped the disciples. “Who is this? “It’s a ghost!” Jesus called out, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” The boat reached the other shore soon after.

My thoughts:

Jesus performed a miracle when he fed the 5,000. The disciples disbelieved they could find enough food to meet the need. They bring up reasons why they couldn’t do as Jesus asks. What comes across to me, for the first time is Phillip’s and Andrew’s lack of trust.

When the disciples crossed the lake, a fierce wind blew up. Then they see this ‘thing’ appear. They voice their fears but don’t realize it’s the Lord until he tells them not to be afraid. Fear took over when they should have been trusting.

I don’t trust Jesus enough. If I did, I wouldn't have times of doubt, anxiety, and depression. I recently made a card for Martha, a dear friend of mine. I included an acrostic of the word trust.

 Totally
 Relying
   Upon the
 Savior’s
 Timing

I need to print out a poster with this message for me. I need to practice what I preach! Since I sent her that card, David (her husband) had a very serious heart attack (X2). His outcome is very tenuous at this time.

____________________________________________
Update:

My word for 2012 was trust. I learned more about a believer’s need to trust in Jesus as I walk with Him. Martha’s husband has done very well since then. He had another major surgery a few years later and did very well.

As I mature in Christ, I discover the futility of worrying, and fretting over things I can’t control. I have to begin each day with Bible reading and prayer. God makes each day and gives it to us. I try to honor Him by giving each day back to Him.


I wish every person I meet would learn to know Jesus as I do.

Linking to :beneaththesurface-dawn.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A Walk Through the Dark by Eva Piper


A Walk Through the Dark

Eva Piper, a woman in her mid-30's, teaches first grade. Her husband, a youth pastor, plans to go to a conference and asks Eva to accompany him. Their plans change. He attends the conference by himself. On his return home, he has a wreck that changes their lives. (He tells his story in 90 Minutes in Heaven.)
Eva Piper allows us to walk with her through the hospitalization and treatment that her husband of 15 years undergoes. She doesn't understand all of what she sees while she awaits for her husband to improve.  One phase of his treatment was experimental and very painful.
One of the outcomes of Don’s accident was that Eva had to make decisions that she had always left to Don to make. When Don was scheduled to be released from the hospital, Eva had to look for another house to rent because the floor plan of where they had lived wouldn't accommodate a wheel chair with a leg extension. Their three children were with other families. The twin boys went home with Eva’s parents to a neighboring state. Their 12 year old daughter lived with a family from the church.
Eva had to go back to teaching her first grade class in order to have health insurance for the family. She had to be at school at 7:30 each morning. After she taught all day, she drove the one hour’s distance to the hospital and stayed there as late as she could, then drove home. Her colleagues graded papers for her and attended to the administrative tasks.
This is a book I would recommend to a pastor, a lay person heading a small encouragement group, a nursing student or a medical student. Eva shares honestly what it is like to go through something unexpected and prolonged.


I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing free through their BookSneeze program. All they asked of me was an impartial review.





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