Thursday (1/9/2014)

Update:

Wednesday was a fairly quiet day for me.  I worked on the computer, mentally started laying out my next sermon series, did some reading, enjoyed a visit, made a few phone calls,  did my exercises (about 25 minutes twice a day) and watched a bit of TV in the evening.

I talked to Joshua about helping make a video recording of me.  Because of Hannah and Tyler’s wedding, I won’t be able to attend the Good News Jail Volunteer gathering.  I’ve been a volunteer with them for a number of years doing a weekly bible study in the county jail.  Chaplain Brian Jahn had asked me to share my story about my illness, hospitalization and my faith in Christ.  Since I can’t do it in person, he asked if I could get it recorded for them to show.  At church, I took a LONG time to share; now I need to cut it down to 10 minutes.  What to keep and what to toss?  So I’ve been working on an outline.  Joshua is going to be my producer/director.  It should be fun working with him on it.

Today, I need to start filling out some paperwork one of the doctors wants for my upcoming appointment.  I need to read through the blood glucose meter manual to find out how to lock it so it doesn’t spit out test strips when it is in my backpack, and I need to check out some software or make my own Excel spreadsheet to track my blood sugars and insulin use.  I’ve spent the morning on-line trying to find the spreadsheet that does what I want without tracking lots of info that I don’t want—I can see why there are so many spreadsheets available—but haven’t found the right one yet.

Karen helped me get a pot roast in the crock pot this morning.  I was growing tired of frozen meatballs and chicken breasts for lunch and dinner.  If I feel adventurous, I may try to make some of the mock mashed potatoes to go along with it (real potatoes are not on my diet L).  Add some vegetables and, of course, some beans and I have a MEAL! 

Thought For The Day:

Helen Keller (1880-1968) in her book “Optimism” said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.”  This comes from a woman who was blind and deaf since childhood and became an overcomer and encouraged others to overcome.  When she was 18 months old an illness robbed her of her sight and hearing.  When she was about six years old, Anne Sullivan began to teach Helen and help her adjust to her situation.  Helen ended up graduating from college, wrote numerous books and was a sought after speaker. 

When I consider my difficulties, I realize that Keller has me beat hands down and yet she did not allow her difficulties to stop her or to hold her down.  She worked past them and did not allow them to defeat her.  I would assume that there were days when she was discouraged and tired; but she never gave up, she persisted and triumphed.

I believe that it is important for us to have a spirit of determination, to have goals and plans and dreams to motivate us.  But I also believe that we need support and encouragement from others to help us reach our goals.  And ultimately we need God to give us the strength and comfort that we need.

The apostle Paul was being used by God in mighty ways to change the world.  He was making a dramatic difference in the lives of those around him.  God’s hand of blessing was obviously upon him.  And somewhere during this time of ministry, Paul contracted some sort of illness or disability (many believe it was something to do with his eyesight).  This “thorn in the flesh” hindered his ability to do the work of the ministry.  So Paul prayed and asked God to remove this encumbrance.  Here is God’s answer to Paul’s prayer and Paul’s response:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10   But he [God] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul went from pleading for God to bring healing and to remove this distraction, to recognizing that God was using it for a good purpose; so Paul was happy that he had it.  Basically God told Paul that when we humanly are weak and unable, God steps in and enables.  If we believe that we are self-sufficient, then God doesn’t enter in.  It is in difficulty, weakness and need when we see God at work in our lives.  So Paul in effect says, “Then bring it on.  I’ll take those things for God’s sake.  I was trying to glorify and honor Him by what I was doing.  If because of my weakness, God is revealed in my life and receives more glory and honor, well then let it happen!”

There never comes a tipping point where we give up too much or have so much difficulty that it becomes an impossible situation for us.  For when our troubles increase, God’s grace also increases.

James 4:6a   But he [God] gives us more grace…

I can’t say that I like hardship, difficulties, or limitations.  But if by those things in my life, God can be glorified and honored; well then, I believe that it is worth it.  

It can be hard to let go of our dream of happiness, ease and contentment.  We naturally are self-focused upon what we perceive is best for us and for what we desire.  God’s challenge is for us to take our eyes off of ourselves and refocus them upon Him.  What’s best for God?  What does He desire?  It would be a bit weird to think that way if God was not truly worthy of our worship and of our best. 

I’ve had many people comment upon my positive attitude, my optimism, my…whatever, as if somehow it is because I am such a valiant warrior or fine example of manhood or some such thing.  The truth is that I am only able to be true to who I am because God is enabling me.  It is His power, His strength, and His spirit at work within me.  Without God, I would be crushed, heart-broken, and defeated; but if God is for me?  Well that changes everything!

So I encourage you to strive to overcome whatever difficulties that you face.  And when you overcome them remember to give God credit for what He has done through you and in you.  Give Him the glory He so richly deserves.