My Christmas Gift

It is Christmas time.  The time of gift giving and remembering the greatest gift ever given.  God gave me a gift yesterday.  A simple gift.  An answered request to delight His child.  

Yes, a gift just because it made me happy and glorified Him in the giving.  After all, God is the one who said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". (Acts 20:35)  So, it only seems right that he was more delighted than I.

What makes it even greater is...I had been pondering life and lamenting my propensity to stumble in my spiritual life.  I had just read about David and how, even though he stumbled at times, he was still a man after God's own heart.  Isaiah 40:30-31 came to mind, encouraging me that God looks at the heart, not the perfection of our steps, and that it is He who will strengthen me.

We have a pair of bald eagles that frequent our lake and now, it seems, they have an off spring.  In all the times we have seen them perched high in the trees, we have never seen them hunt.  So, the other day I said to God that I would love to see them swoop down on the lake.  Yesterday, right after my pondering, they did just that.

We watched as the pair flew in pursuit of a duck.  The dusk narrowly escaping, as it dove underneath the surface.  We then watched the scene replay over and over, as one eagle kept trying.  We never did see the eagle succeed, but its mate was seen eating something at the other end of the lake.

Who am I that God would give me such a gift?  O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

Psalm 8 (NASB)

The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.

8 O Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name in all the earth,

Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength

Because of Your adversaries,

To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;

4 What is man that You take thought of him,

And the son of man that You care for him?

5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God,

And You crown him with glory and majesty!

6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen,

And also the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea,

Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name in all the earth!

The Journey to Healing - My HOPE

I have found through the experiment of the AIP diet, and then the subsequent fail of staying on it, that my story may not be the miracle some are hoping to hear, but it may just be the hope others are needing to hear.

Queen Esther.  She is my hero.  I want to be like her.  To be given a grand stage and opportunity to make a difference.  I am willing to give my life and with her say, "If I perish, I perish!".  But this is not the HOPE to which I have been called.  Rather, my journey is one of perseverance.  And so I look to the promise of Romans 5:3-5, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  And so, my journey is a...
Holy
Opportunity to 
Patiently 
Endure.

My prayer has been for a greater faith and for Christ to be formed in me.  So, why am I now crying foul when I am asked to follow in His steps of suffering? (1 Peter 2:21)  If Jesus was perfected through suffering and I am not greater than my master, should I expect anything less? (Hebrews 2:10, John 13:16)  

"7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18)

God has given me a way to feel better, the AIP diet.  It works while I abide by it, but it takes perseverance.  When I rebel and choose the momentary pleasure of certain foods, I receive the due pain and discomfort.  I cry out to be delivered from my affliction and this is what I hear my God saying, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)  And, "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:12)  This is the grace of my God.  

He is teaching me to trust Him.  For, if I can't accept and obey what is obviously good for my physical well being, because it is hard and contrary to what "everyone else is doing", how will I accept and obey what is good for my eternal well being, which is of greater worth?  (2 Peter 1:6-9)  He cares too much to let me go on making mud pies in a slum, when He knows the glory that awaits!

And so, until the day I meet Him face to face and receive my glorified body, I will walk in obedience to what He shows me and faithfully endure for the glory of His Name.  Yes, Jesus is worth more to me than chocolate.  "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day."  And who knows,  maybe someday I'll get a "holiday at sea". :)

The Do Exist!

This summer was the perfect storm of stressful circumstances.  I believe the trials and pressures of life don’t cause our actions, but reveal what is inside.  For some, pressure results in a diamond.  For me…it was more ugly than beautiful.  What should have been an amazing summer, turned out to be more like living in the midst of the “fire swamp”, and I was the R.O.U.S. 

Now that the summer is coming to a close, I am looking back on it with eyes of faith and wishing I had been doing that all along.  I let the enemy distract me from enjoying the blessings God was giving.  I saw only stress and anxiety, because I saw only myself.  “Heavens joy is self-forgetfulness…it is the secret of joy on earth as well as in heaven.” (Peter Kreeft)  How does one forget self?  You forget self because you are too busy looking at the source.  “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God.”  (Hebrew 12:2)

The truth is we cannot serve two masters.  “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24)  When we love the right one, God, we find all joy.  God turns all things for our good, the devil turns all good things for our bad.  Peter Kreeft puts it this way, “All things are created by God and therefore good.  All that is desirable in things is an image of the supremely desirable God.  Evil is not desiring evil things, but desiring lesser goods and desiring in wrong ways (selfishly).”  I was serving the wrong master.

Some would say I was justified because of my circumstances.  A little irritability (okay let's  be honest, a LOT) is to be expected…right?  But I don’t want excuses.  I want grace, yes, but grace is not an excuse, it is a second chance.  “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:1-4)  Jesus didn’t come to make us “good enough”, He came so we would die, and rise to live abundantly.

We desire many things, but when we find the “one necessary thing”; the truth of Matthew 6:33, we find peace and joy.  For God’s single gift that fulfills all our desires is Christ.  In Him, God offers us the only thing He has…Himself.  And He is the only thing we need.  “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) 

How different my summer could have been if I had seen this sooner!  If I had only followed Paul’s advice from Philippians 4:4-9 which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  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.   Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

It was there all along.  How did I miss it?  Well, praise to Him, for His grace is sufficient and nothing is in vain.  Will all be perfect in me now?  Hardly, but there is hope.  "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed...God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:26)  God will refine my character…” so that the proven genuineness of my faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

JTH - Falling Off The Wagon

Well, let me just start with this disclaimer...trying to stick to this diet while moving and building a house is not for the faint of heart!

During the past month, I have been faint of heart.  Between not having time to prepare properly and being stressed to the max (at times I thought my head would explode and desperately needed chocolate!), I have fallen off the AIP wagon.  And I can feel it. :(

I have only had one full blown attack, when I went totally crazy for a couple days and ate all things off limits.  It took a week to recover.  UGH!  Most of the time I still eat mostly AIP and FODMAP, with only a few indiscretions, and can keep my symptoms at a tolerable level. 

It is frustrating to think of how I have slid backwards in this, but now I know my limits. And my need for this diet is confirmed.  There is a sense of control over my health, even though so much of it is still a mystery.  No cure in sight, but still hope.

I have also been reminded how hurtful to our physical well being stress is, and why I have ordered my life in such a way, as to avoid as much of it as possible!  Knowing this is all temporary has helped. 

I have to keep refocusing my eyes on eternity and remember what really matters. 

His mercies are new every morning and I will start again.

Hackathon

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 18-20)

 

^{These scriptures were brought to life for me this weekend.  I spent the weekend at a Code For The Kingdom, Hackathon.  Hacking for Jesus?  Yes!  I was witness to a group of smart, tech savvy, Jesus loving people doing what they do for the glory of God.} 

 

^{My involvement with Wycliffe Associates has shown me that we don't have to be a missionary or linguist to help in Bible translation.  God can use us just the way He has crafted us.  Together we can make God's Word available to everyone!} 

^{My personality, my abilities, my interests, my spiritual gifts and even my disabilities can all be used to accomplish the purposes of God, if I will let the Holy Spirit lead.  What about you?  What do you have to offer?  More than you think, I am sure.  Check out wycliffeassociates.org or talk to a friend.  Sometimes others can recognize gifts in you, that you can't.} 

^{Whatever you do, do it for His glory!  And in so doing, you'll find your sweet spot.}

JTH - Thankful

I have yet to find perfection or complete healing, but I have found thankfulness in the midst of this journey.

I am thankful for the days I awake feeling good! 

I am thankful for the days I get to start over...because yes...I blow it sometimes.

I am thankful I have the option to eat healthy.

I am thankful for a supportive spouse.

I am thankful for a God who works all things for my good.  And yes, I do consider this for my good.

The truths the Holy Spirit is teaching me through this challenge are priceless.  I see this journey as temporary, even if it lasts a hundred years, but the good it is producing in my character is forever.

You see, I read that an autoimmune condition can not really be cured, as a cure means that the desease has been definitely ended.  However, it can be in remission, which is when a disease is temporarily ended or in reversal; a disease remains but shows no symptoms.  With an autoimmiune condition, it is about creating a lifelong condition of health through diet, lifestyle, environmental factors and stress relief.

Wow! That sounds like our spiritual life!  Our flesh can not be cured this side of Heaven, but through the right diet (Bread of Life and Living water), a lifestyle of seeking God, removing temptations, and being thankful, we can begin to reverse our condition!  Our old nature still remains in our body, but the symptoms are removed in proportion to our surrender to this new way of living.

When people hear about how strict my diet is they say things like, "That must be so hard!".  And it is, but only because my old nature is still kicking.  My diet consists of delicious foods, however, I still WANT what everyone else is eating.  My mind and taste buds remember the delicacies of the world and my culture says I can have anything I want.  It is a fight indeed!  But one that can be won with the proper perspective and training, for His grace is sufficient and I can learn to be content in Christ.

So, on  I travel...sometimes running...sometimes walking...and sometimes falling on my face!  But I am learning to do it all in thankfulness, for my God is always there ready to pick me up and help me forward.  He is faithful and His lovingkindness endures forever.

JTH - How Long, O LORD?

Was it foolishness or impatience that had me thinking 20+ years of damage could be undone in a month of good eating?  Probably a little of both.  My old nature is not far from me. Oh, but God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning...weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

And so, with renewed commitment I journey on...and as I was pondering the irreparable damage already done to my colon (for short of a miracle of God the redundancy will not shrink back), I was struck by the fact that we can not do irreparable damage to our relationship with God.  There is only one sin that is unforgivable, blaspheme of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31), which I believe to be unbelief.  But for those who believe, no sin, no amount of time will keep God from redeeming our lives when we turn to Him.  We may have to live with earthly consequences of our past sin, just as I may always have to live with dietary restrictions, but we are not excluded, nor will we bear them forever.  This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and it is because of His precious blood, that we are made righteous, and one day, even our bodies, will be glorified to perfection! 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

 

Matthew 6:9-13

 

Maranatha Lord, Come Soon!