By David Gardner, World News, January 10, 2009

This is the dramatic moment a ransom of $3 million was paid to Somali pirates to end the world’s biggest ship hijacking.

The canister full of cash was parachuted onto the Sirius Star — observed by the U.S. Navy who provided these images — and the two-month ordeal of the 25 crew, including two Britons, was finally over.

However things went badly wrong for the pirates soon after the drop — they squabbled over how to split the money and then a wave washed off their getaway boat and drowned five of them.

Irene’s sisters are visiting this weekend.  Their presence always lifts her spirits.  They’re bouncing around town antiquing, shopping and enjoying each other’s company.

Irene’s chronic nausea has calmed down, but continues to linger.

What do greedy, Somali pirates, five of whom were drowned following the kidnapping/ransom episode, have to do with Irene’s Journey of Faith?

Here’s my quick synopsis: many in the world today believe there is a shortcut to living the victorious and abundant life.  Any person who persistently lusts for excessive money, sex or power, thinking each could produce a better and more fulfilling life, actually discovers that they produce aberrant and anomalous behavior.

We take Jesus at His word,

I have come that they may have life have it to the full.
John 10:10

Only an intimate, dynamic and growing relationship with Christ will ultimately satisfy the deepest longings of our heart.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Here are the lyrics to a song which reflect Irene’s approach to the journey she is on:

When the morning falls on the farthest hill,
I will sing His name, I will praise Him still.
When dark trials come and my heart is filled
With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him still.

For the Lord our God, He is strong to save
From the arms of death, from the deepest grave.
And He gave us life in His perfect will,
And by His good grace, I will praise Him still.

From Fernando Ortega’s CD, Hymns of Worship

A recent story in the Modesto Bee tells the story of Anne Abruzzini who had a dream in 1997 that she believes saved her life.

Shown above with her husband Michael and sons John and Adam, had a dream in 1997 which ultimately directed her to just the right surgeon to treat her stage 3 cancer.

“I often wondered why (I had the dream). I think God wanted me to be here to tell people that miracles don’t just happen in the Bible. They happen every day around us. We just have to pay attention. Knowing that these things happen today is to encourage us. When this happened to me, I knew God was watching over me. I know he wanted me to have the dream to encourage others, maybe to give someone hope.”

Click here to read the entire story.

8 p.m…

Thanks for checking in...!!

Irene experienced two major foot cramps during dialysis today; they are obviously very painful...and they’re become more and more frequent.  As a result, the medical team discontinued the fluid removal and replaced it with about a liter of saline.  They continue to re-evaluate the values they’re targeting for removal each time she’s dialyzed.

The relentless nausea rages but is not quite as intense as it was over the last few days....we appreciate your prayerful intercession.

Thanks for caring.
Dave

9.45 p.m…

Irene’s nausea is caustic and unrelenting.  It’s come on VERY strong of late;  we’re wondering if she’s caught some kind of a flu virus.

She’s faithfully perseverving.

Thanks for caring.
Dave

About two and a half weeks ago, Dave was interviewed by Chuck Bentley, the CEO of Crown Financial Ministries on the MoneyLife radio program. The interview aired on December 29, 2008, and we thought you might like to listen to the program. Just use the control panel below to play the audio file.

Play The Interview:
Download

7.15 p.m…

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s nausea RAGED at a very intense level all day…and she’s had one of her most challenging nausea days in a long time.  We’re not sure why it has reared its ugly head in such fashion but she’s endeavoring to weather the storm…

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Dear Dave and Irene,

Charmaine and I prayed together for both of you today and will continue to lift you up in our prayers for God’s continued blessings, the possibility of a miracle of healing and restoration of health, and that His Holy Spirit will be evident and present at all times, especially when there may be tough challenges to face from time to time.

We love you with the love of our Lord, and ask that the Great Physician, who heals and comforts all of those who hurt, will be present with you today.

In prayer and service,

Don

37.2

We received EXCELLENT news today from UCSF!!! 

The Cappa Light Chain test results which measures the amyloid level in Irene’s bloodstream is 37.2.

Yay, God…!!!!!!!

Here are the historical values:

June 2007, 652 (stem cell transplant)

July 2007, 78.5

October 2007, 33.1

February 2008, 56.7

March 2008, 39.4

May 2008, 39.4

December 2008, 37.2

We’ll now be going full speed ahead fully vetting the kidney transplant option!! 

This is a GREAT way to usher in the New Year…!!!!

Thanks for praying…and for caring!!!
Dave

I just wish to add a little word of encouragement to you all. I heard of your story and situation on the Crown Ministry Radio on 12/29.

My wife was diagnosed with colon cancer in May of 2007, and our world has been turned upside down - kind of the same West vs. East travel experience Mr. Dias talked about on the radio. She has been given 6 months to a year to live by the doctors, but we are hoping for a miracle - if that is God’s will.

Best Regards to you all and may God grant his healing to Irene.

Dear Friends -

We think of you all daily and sent our deepest love for you. We know you’re going through an unimaginably difficult time and your faith and love for each other is an extraordinary example for all of us. Please know that we continue to pray for you, Irene, and your path to recovery.

Your testimonies and devotions are profound and faith-building. Our God is so very faithful and will daily show us His way.

God is good…may we continue to rejoice in Him as we journey into this new year.

much love,
joe and sally

We’ve had occasion on a few occasions in this blog to share about the battle with cancer being faced by our friends Scott and Lynne Halverson, along with their children Daniel and Becky. We thought you might be interested in this update from the Halverson family.

Good Evening Dave,

I heard your story on Money Life today. When I got a chance I looked up your website to learn more about your family. The website is very impressive.

We definitely have something in common. I was diagnosed with Follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1995. Since then I have had multiple recurrences and an autologous stem cell transplant on January 15. My next doctor’s appointment is this Wednesday when we find out our next move.

God is definitely good no matter what he has planned for us. I can say with certainty that cancer has taught me and my wife Deborah about God’s mercy, grace, and love in a very special way. It is a lonely life because people don’t understand what we go through, but like you and your wife we have used our experiences to share how much faith helps us through each and every day. It is a missionary journey and a very special ministry.

If you have a minute and want to learn a little about my situation please visit my blog HOPE in the Heartland at: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/community/people/profile/hopekc

Thank you for sharing your faith and your story today on the radio. And for writing about your story.

Sincerely,

Daryl

Is there a distinction…or gap between FAITH and KNOWLEDGE?  Is there a disparity between BELIEF and really KNOWING something is true?

Our view is this: FAITH plus EXPERIENCE equals KNOWLEDGE

FAITH as defined by the dictionary is:

.... belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof

KNOWLEDGE as defined by the dictionary is:

.... clear awareness or explicit information, e.g. of a situation or fact. Familiarity or understanding gained through experience or study

Irene is experiencing relief from the nausea over the last week or so.  Yay God!!

We believe it’s some combination of the following:

• Use of the Cimino Fistula for dialysis rather than the Tesio catheter
• A new nausea prescription
• Dialysis in the afternoon rather than in the morning; it appears to provide Irene with a better rhythm
• Better overall medication management

The nausea lingers but is not as intense .... and we hope this trend continues.

We believe this recent development is an answer for many of you who prayerfully intercede on Irene’s behalf.  Thank you!!!  Facing 24/7 nausea for more than 18 months has been no easy challenge to face.

It is one thing to have faith…to believe .... and quite another to KNOW with absolute certainty that something is true .... and we believe EXPERIENCE bridges the gap between believing and knowing.

Why do we believe this to be true ....?

We have been followers of Christ for many years.  Prior to the Amyloid journey we BELIEVED the Word of God .... and had FAITH that it was true.  We saw and experienced God at work in ours and many other’s lives.  However, after experiencing the unruly Amyloid journey for approximately 21 months .... we KNOW with greater certainty the reality of those tenets and truths.  Our faith has been notably tested .... and we have found God’s Word to be reliable and bona fide .... even in the midst of dire circumstances.

What is the bona fide reality of this EXPERIENCE?

• As we daily read the Word of God it figuratively leaps off the page expressing itself with deeper penetration, connotation and implication
• The Holy Spirit’s still small voice speaks to us with compelling conviction, corroborating the Word in profound ways
• Our prayer life has greater profundity and acumen
• Even when our emotional pendulum swings as far as the east is from the west .... and at times it does, we still sense His ever abiding Peace and Presence in our midst
• People in many spectacular ways, shapes and forms, have surrounded, encouraged, pragmatically reached out, emotionally and spiritually touched us
• God has unleashed His abounding, infinite resources supporting and sustaining us on this journey as we see His provision day by day
• Our remaining days and life purpose have an extreme, laser beam focus; we are learning Lordship at unfathomable levels; we exist for an audience of One

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:1-2

On countless occasions we’ve been asked if “God is real” on this colossal journey.  I think what people are really asking is this: is there evidence of God’s presence in the midst of the chaos and challenges of the journey?

Without qualification the answer is YES!

How can this be so ....?

The most direct manifestation of His Presence is this: the answered prayer of soooooooooo many.  Irene is alive .... against hideous odds and repugnant calamity.  God continues to mercifully sustain her on this titanic journey.  She is a living, breathing miracle. Her poise, peace and joy every step of this journey can’t be understated or denied .... and I observe her every, single day.  Her demeanor is irrefutable evidence of God’s Holy Spirit indwelling her.  Don’t just believe me .... ask anyone on the medical team at UCSF who is intimately familiar with her journey.  They refer to Irene as one of the UCSF miracles.

However, we’re not in denial.  Irene knows what she is confronting; it’s the victorious manner in which she chooses to face the reality of this ruthless journey which is inspiring .... and is far from being over.  As we fully vet the kidney transplant option we realize that many potential obstacles lie in waiting .... and in many ways the last 21 months have been a rugged and brutal trek.

We also acknowledge this: that all of us are terminal.  Some of us have been diagnosed and some haven’t.  Some who are reading this update may or may not be with us tomorrow.  Some of us are in denial .... convinced that we’re going to live in this fallen world .... forever.

The reality we contend is the promise from God Himself that we, as followers of Christ, will live forever; laying aside these tents we call bodies .... for our true spirit, now camouflaged within a physical body, will dwell in eternity with our Creator.

Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

“KNOWLEDGE of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10b

Is there a distinction .... or gap between FAITH and KNOWLEDGE?  Is there a disparity between BELIEF and really KNOWING something is true?

Our view and testimony is this: FAITH plus EXPERIENCE equals KNOWLEDGE .... because our experience and understanding enlightens us .... that what we thought and hoped to be true .... really is.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1a

May we hasten to remember this holiday season that the Father has lavished upon us the ultimate GIFT of His Son.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7-8

Merry Christmas .... from our home to yours!!!!!!

Dave