There is no way that any mere mortal can begin to write about the character of God with any accuracy. I would only like to say that in the midst of trying times, it brings me great comfort to think often about His character, and less about the circumstances with which I, my friends, family or other humans around the world are dealing with.
Vividly I remember the Tsunami that claimed the lives of 29,000 people about six years ago. I am not sure why, but that event really broke my heart. We knew some college students that lived in that area, and one young woman was even in India at the time of the tragedy. Thankfully, she e-mailed us quickly telling about her safety. But the images of the children, parents crying, death and destruction littered everywhere - will always remain with me. I couldn't understand such devastation on such a large scale. It was then that the Lord began to softly touch my heart with the realities of His character, through the reading of His Word and through the testimonies of other believers. The Holy Spirit began teaching me about His righteous, loving, compassionate, merciful, faithful, trustworthy, holy and just character. Through the testimonies of others, I saw humans bearing out the truth of God's character in the midst of their most trying circumstances.
I'm thinking of that now as I read of Haiti and the consequences of this horrific earthquake. I can't understand such devastation on such a large scale, but I can spend time in the Word and leave all these things I don't understand with Him.
I cannot understand why my little friend has leukemia, or why a mere child should lay in a hospital with a brain tumor. I don't understand why breast cancer has the power to devastate so many women's lives.
But - either God is who He says He is, or He is not. I choose to believe God is exactly who He says He is.
I put my complete faith in the one that has it all under control, especially in this fallen world.
Someday, His Word promises that every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. He promises to wipe away every tear. I look forward to that day.
For now, we walk by faith and not by sight.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A Change of Plans -
How often has God completely changed your plans - put you on a completely different course? I know it has happened to us all.
This year there have been many such "change of plans" for some of my girlfriends. Just moving along, following their own business, living their lives, and BOOM - a huge change of plans. A diagnosis of a baby's leukemia, across the ocean in Africa, another diagnosis of a little boys brain tumor, a vibrant, 17 yr. old girl told- you have leukemia - a baby born with a heart defect requiring many future surgeries, and a diagnosis of breast cancer for a woman that is just starting a new chapter of her life at the enjoyable age of 58.
I don't know why God diverts our course, I only know that His way is perfect and we can rest in that even as we struggle to come to grips with the new circumstances in our lives. Just this past week, Sophia was awaiting a big test result that would show if the leukemia had returned. If it had, that would be devastating. It just so happened this was the day that I was to have lunch with Charles and Bernice. As they walked across the room to me, one of their first questions was, "How is Sophia, and Ginger"? Happily, I told them that the results came back with NO blasts - a huge praise - as the oncologist has told them to pray for a miracle! Both of these dear people were overcome with praise to the Lord for this wonderful news. Bernice put her hands in the air - "Praise God, oh , Praise God!" I was so touched by this couple. They are in the midst of severe trials of their own, yet they set that aside and genuinely rejoiced over good test results for another brother and sister in Christ. How can they do that? It is all God, they tell me.
Even in the middle of a change of plans - some things never change:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..." He knows. Nothing is taking Him by surprise nor is anything out of His control.
We also are not seperated by His love as promised in Rom. 8:31 - 39.
I'm so comforted by that today. My small change of plans this morning resulted in an unexpected, sweet time alone with Him. (sometimes, when I cannot sleep, I give in to the plan God has for me at that moment. I can practice resting in Him and seek Him in prayer, for myself and others). There is no noise in this otherwise noisy home at the moment, save for worship music playing in the background and a wild kitten chasing paper balls here and there. I have had tears streaming down my face as I have reflected on God's faithfulness and love, so evident in lives of these friends listed above. Tears of joy intermingled with tears of longing for resolution and relief from pain for my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
I'll copy and paste a message I just sent to some of them on Facebook - and remind myself not to fear any "change of plan" the Lord allows in my life.
Debbie Frederick January 17 at 11:33am
Change of plans - I'm home from church (with a migraine I woke up to at 6) and kind of "down for the count". At least the fourth round or so. I wanted to write something to you before I forget...I think of you as my "five fab" - my five girlfriends that are fabulous! I almost always pray for you at similar times.
I had just finished writing the "update" on all of you on my FB site, and I went to leave and reached in my pocket to a little crumpled piece of paper. I remembered that I had Panda Express with you (Bernice) and hadn't read my "fortune" from my cookie. I'm not a big believer in Panda's predictions for my future, or anyone elses - but guess what it said? "If you have HOPE, you have everything". I'll take it!
I am praying hope for each of you - as we know where it comes from - GOD!
Also flipped open to Romans 8:31-39 this morning. It starts and ends with: "What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?....Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
AMEN! Even when you are seperated from others, your loved ones, your "normal circumstances" - you are NEVER seperated from the Love of God!
I miss you all - looking forward to seeing you all again.
(April - sorry, I did have some food ready but didn't have the presense of mind to send it with Dan this morning. Perhaps we can swing by tonight? Praying for your sore muscles from moving!)
love to you all -
Debbie
This year there have been many such "change of plans" for some of my girlfriends. Just moving along, following their own business, living their lives, and BOOM - a huge change of plans. A diagnosis of a baby's leukemia, across the ocean in Africa, another diagnosis of a little boys brain tumor, a vibrant, 17 yr. old girl told- you have leukemia - a baby born with a heart defect requiring many future surgeries, and a diagnosis of breast cancer for a woman that is just starting a new chapter of her life at the enjoyable age of 58.
I don't know why God diverts our course, I only know that His way is perfect and we can rest in that even as we struggle to come to grips with the new circumstances in our lives. Just this past week, Sophia was awaiting a big test result that would show if the leukemia had returned. If it had, that would be devastating. It just so happened this was the day that I was to have lunch with Charles and Bernice. As they walked across the room to me, one of their first questions was, "How is Sophia, and Ginger"? Happily, I told them that the results came back with NO blasts - a huge praise - as the oncologist has told them to pray for a miracle! Both of these dear people were overcome with praise to the Lord for this wonderful news. Bernice put her hands in the air - "Praise God, oh , Praise God!" I was so touched by this couple. They are in the midst of severe trials of their own, yet they set that aside and genuinely rejoiced over good test results for another brother and sister in Christ. How can they do that? It is all God, they tell me.
Even in the middle of a change of plans - some things never change:
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..." He knows. Nothing is taking Him by surprise nor is anything out of His control.
We also are not seperated by His love as promised in Rom. 8:31 - 39.
I'm so comforted by that today. My small change of plans this morning resulted in an unexpected, sweet time alone with Him. (sometimes, when I cannot sleep, I give in to the plan God has for me at that moment. I can practice resting in Him and seek Him in prayer, for myself and others). There is no noise in this otherwise noisy home at the moment, save for worship music playing in the background and a wild kitten chasing paper balls here and there. I have had tears streaming down my face as I have reflected on God's faithfulness and love, so evident in lives of these friends listed above. Tears of joy intermingled with tears of longing for resolution and relief from pain for my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
I'll copy and paste a message I just sent to some of them on Facebook - and remind myself not to fear any "change of plan" the Lord allows in my life.
Debbie Frederick January 17 at 11:33am
Change of plans - I'm home from church (with a migraine I woke up to at 6) and kind of "down for the count". At least the fourth round or so. I wanted to write something to you before I forget...I think of you as my "five fab" - my five girlfriends that are fabulous! I almost always pray for you at similar times.
I had just finished writing the "update" on all of you on my FB site, and I went to leave and reached in my pocket to a little crumpled piece of paper. I remembered that I had Panda Express with you (Bernice) and hadn't read my "fortune" from my cookie. I'm not a big believer in Panda's predictions for my future, or anyone elses - but guess what it said? "If you have HOPE, you have everything". I'll take it!
I am praying hope for each of you - as we know where it comes from - GOD!
Also flipped open to Romans 8:31-39 this morning. It starts and ends with: "What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?....Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ....
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
AMEN! Even when you are seperated from others, your loved ones, your "normal circumstances" - you are NEVER seperated from the Love of God!
I miss you all - looking forward to seeing you all again.
(April - sorry, I did have some food ready but didn't have the presense of mind to send it with Dan this morning. Perhaps we can swing by tonight? Praying for your sore muscles from moving!)
love to you all -
Debbie
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