Irene came home from dialysis completely wrung out because the treatment removed an excessive amount of fluid from her body today.  The nausea was a brutal challenge.  However, after traveling to San Francisco, today’s Cimino Fistula consultation at UCSF went well.  We met with Dr. Charles M. Eichler who will perform the procedure @ 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17th. 

We return to UCSF next Wednesday, June 11, for the pre-op exam which evaluates Irene’s readiness for surgery.  Pre-surgical testing includes labs and x-rays.  She will also meet the anesthesiologist.

The amyloid journey of faith continues.

Stay tuned…and thanks for caring.
Dave

Tomorrow, Monday, June 2nd, is Irene’s CONSULTATION at UCSF for the Cimino Fistula, a type of vascular access for hemodialysis. It is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein in the forearm.

Irene’s nausea came in like a lion this morning but left like a lamb.  She was able to successfully navigate through the day which included shopping at the mall and accomplishing several “to-do” activities around the house.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20a

I did a live interview discussing Irene’s Journey of Faith at The Door Christian bookstore in Santa Cruz today.  Salinas radio station manager, John Dick of KKMC, interviewed me along with other local book authors.

Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar and she was “out and about” for several hours today.  We ate dinner at Mangiamo Pizza’s new location in Deer Park Market Place next to Deluxe Foods in Aptos.  Our good friend, Frank Easterly, owns and operates Mangiamo Pizza. Yum….!!!!!!!!

Remember, Jesus Christ is a gentleman.  He only enters the house where He is invited and welcome.  And he’s standing at your door knocking today.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Own NOTHING; possess EVERYTHING.

I value home ownership but the privilege translates into LOTS of hard work.  Yard maintenance, painting, roofing, plumbing, electrical, carpeting and repairs can become a year round chore.  Not that we would trade buying a home for renting; we have to live somewhere and we would rather live in an appreciating asset.

Irene napped and relaxed all afternoon after driving herself to and from dialysis treatment this morning.  The extreme nausea and fatigue were a challenge but she overcame them by plodding through various activities around the house…including “playing” in the Wisteria Garden.

Spiritual OWNERSHIP, like home ownership, can also be burdensome because we’re not intended to spiritually “own” anything.  That’s because we’re designed to be stewards, not owners.  So, what’s the difference?

A spiritual STEWARD doesn’t OWN, but rather MANAGES another’s holdings.  The mental and philosophical distinctions are gargantuan.  Ownership brings burden; possession promises and delivers freedom.

And here’s a spiritual bonus of stewardship .... He possesses us and we possess Him through our faith and trust in His reliable Word.

As followers of Christ we STEWARD that which we POSSESS and has been entrusted to us.

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:20

When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it,
Deuteronomy 26:1

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:18

.... having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6:10b

Irene POSSESSES the promises of God in His Word and appropriates them into her life.  She enjoys the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit as He manifests Himself to her afresh and anew each and every day.  She breathes deeply and savors the smells and sights all about her.

Is it truly possible to own NOTHING and possess EVERYTHING?  We think so, even along the Amyloid journey.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Heroism defined: remarkable physical or moral courage.

Pa. Soldier Who Jumped on Grenade to Receive Posthumous Medal of Honor

Pfc. Ross McGinnis of Knox, Pa., who died saving the lives of his comrades in Iraq, will be awarded the Medal of Honor June 2

WASHINGTON — The White House announced Friday that a Pennsylvania soldier who jumped on top of a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of his comrades will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.

The nation’s highest military honor will be given to 19-year-old Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis of Knox, Pa., on June 2.

McGinnis “distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism,” said White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto.

McGinnis was perched in the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee when a grenade sailed past him and into the truck where four other soldiers sat. He shouted a warning to the others, then jumped on the grenade. The grenade, which was lodged near the vehicle’s radio, blew up and killed him.

Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman, said McGinnis easily could have jumped out of the truck and saved himself.

“The instinct is, jump out of the vehicle, but his four buddies were in the vehicle with him .... and he chose to place himself on top of the grenade and absorb the impact, and it saved their lives,” Edgecomb said.

McGinnis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

He died on Dec. 4, 2006.

Three others have also been awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for their actions in Iraq. They are Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor and Marine Cpl. Jason L. Dunham.

Irene is my hero because she’s a person of great moral courage.  She has faced the enemy, the incurable Amyloidosis disease, with significant grace, joy, dignity, perseverance and courage.

She models to all of us how to face daunting circumstances and live the abundant and victorious life through them.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

An Amazing Way to Deal with CHANGE in your work and in your life, published in 1998, is a motivational book by Spencer Johnson written in the style of a parable. It uses four typical reactions to said change with two mice, two “little people”, and their hunts for cheese.

Irene has certainly faced colossal and catastrophic CHANGE over the last year.  Her dignified response to the radical “moving of her cheese” has been a model of patience and grace for all of us.

After driving herself to and from dialysis this Memorial Day Holiday, Irene came home fatigued and nauseated from treatment.  However, she plodded through the day and both of us rested and savored the slow-paced day ....

From Wikipedia ....

Allegorical, Who Moved My Cheese? features four characters; two mice, “Sniff” and “Scurry”, and two little people, miniature humans in essence, “Hem” and “Haw”, live in a maze, a representation of one’s environment, and look for cheese, representative of happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans paired off, travel the lengthy corridor searching for cheese. One day both groups happen upon a cheese-filled corridor in “Cheese Station C”. Content with their find, the humans establish routines around their daily intake of cheese slowly becoming arrogant in the process.

One day Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left but they are not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply dwindling, they have mentally prepared for the arduous, but inevitable task of finding more cheese beforehand. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C only to find the same thing, no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands “who moved my cheese?”. Unprepared, the humans have counted on the cheese supply to be constant. After verifying that the cheese is indeed gone and ranting at the unfairness of the situation, both head home hungry. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw find the same cheeseless station. Beginning to realize the situation at hand, Haw proposes a search for new cheese, but Hem, dead set in his victimized mindset, nixes the proposal.

Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry have found “Cheese Station N”, a new supply of cheese. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw, affected by their lack of cheese, blame each other for their predicament. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese. Hem however, comforted by his old routine and afraid of the unknown, again knocks down the idea. After many days in denial, including a search for cheese behind the wall of Cheese Station C, the humans remain without cheese. One day, realizing his debilitating fear, Haw begins laughing at the situation. Realizing he should move on, Haw enters the maze, but not before chiseling “If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct” on the wall of Cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.

Still fearful of his trek, Haw jots “What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?” on the wall and, after thinking about it, begins his journey. Still with worry, perhaps he has waited too long to begin his search, Haw finds some scattered cheese and continues his search. Slowly losing his denial, Haw realizes that the cheese has not suddenly disappeared, but has dwindled from continual eating, and that the older cheese was not as tasty and had been moldy. After a let down, an empty cheese station, Haw begins worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears, Haw’s new mindset allows him to again enjoy life; he has even begun to smile again and is realizing “when you move beyond your fear, you feel free.” After another empty cheese station, Haw decides to go back for Hem with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.

Uncompromising, Hem turns away the new cheese to his friend’s dismay. With knowledge acquired along the way, Haw heads back into the maze. Still going deeper into the maze, impelled by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of writings on the wall, hopeful that his friend will be aided by them in his search for new cheese. Still traveling, Haw one day comes across Cheese Station N. Abundant with cheese, some varieties strange to him, he has found what he is looking for. After eating, Haw reflects on his experience. Pondering a return to his old friend, Haw decides to let Hem find his own way. Finding the largest wall in Cheese Station N, he writes:

Change Happens
They Keep Moving The Cheese

Anticipate Change
Get Ready For The Cheese To Move

Monitor Change
Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old

Adapt To Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese

Change
Move With The Cheese

Enjoy Change!
Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!

Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again & Again
They Keep Moving The Cheese

One’s inimitable ability to successfully navigate through CHANGE is oftentimes the defining distinctive between success and failure, and perhaps, in some circumstances, the difference between life and death.  That’s why we need WISDOM each passing day to face the distinguishing circumstances that each of us face on our own faith journey.

For years prior to Irene’s diagnosis of Amyloidosis we have used “Who Moved My Cheese” as an allegory for responding to the ever changing environments we find ourselves in because we know that the only thing CONSTANT in life is CHANGE.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

No one on the planet knows what causes Primary Amyloidosis.  However, there is wisdom in applying what I would call the “discipline of our decisions” to the degree that we’re able to positively influence our health and well being.  We hope that your find this recently released information helpful on your pilgrimage. 

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.   
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins Hospital

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the
cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg ‘s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork.  Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.  About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to
nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day.

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine.  Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising DAILY, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Our message is simple…

God SUSTAINS no matter what someone is going through.

  *  He is faithful
  *  He is trustworthy
  *  He loves us without condition
  *  He is worthy to be praised
  *  He manifests His Presence in our midst
______________

Irene’s sister’s Carmen and Jane arrived Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t long before the three of them were dashing about the region on a shopping spree!!  Carmen and Jane spent last night at our house.  It’s a JOY to see how much they enjoy being together.  Carmen and Jane really breathe life into Irene.  Despite all she faces, Irene continues to exhibit the peace that passes all understanding which can only be explained by a vibrant and dynamic faith. 
______________

God is PRESENT in our midst on this outrageous journey and we realize and experience His PEACE inside of each passing day.  We don’t know what the future holds but we know the One who holds the future. 

Does this mean that the amyloid journey has been easy?  Obviously, not.  Without question, it’s the most difficult challenge we’ve ever faced. 

Does this mean that we haven’t had moments of deep despair and discouragement?  Obviously, we have.  Without question, the pendulum of emotions swing as far as the east is from the west.  The ultimate issues of life and death have lead to brutally candid and heartfelt dialogue on topics that we would have never imagined in our wildest nightmares. 

However, we rest and are comforted by God’s Word where he tells us that…

  We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
  Romans 8:37

We also see him “show up” every step of the way because He tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  His presence is in our midst because we gather in His Name.

And, we could not have done it alone.  We are blessed to have…

•  God’s ever abiding presence through the Holy Spirit
•  His Word that never changes
•  The community around us…such as the person reading this update

So, we don’t “land” in despair but we have HOPE in each day. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling…”
Jude 24

Our message is simple:

God SUSTAINS no matter what someone is going through.

As is the book title written by Holly Wagner, “When it Pours, He Reigns”. 

And we pay tribute to Him this Memorial Day Weekend.

We don’t know where you are on your particular journey, but we encourage you to put your trust in Him this weekend and “memorialize” the day you first acknowledged His rightful place in your heart, which is Lord and Savior over all of who you are and all of who you will become.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

According to Wikipedia…

A Cimino fistula, also Cimino-Brescia fistula and arteriovenous fistula, is a type of vascular access for hemodialysis. It is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein in the forearm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimino_fistula

The procedure was invented by doctors Cimino and Brescia in 1966. Before the Cimino fistula was invented, access was through a Scribner shunt, which consisted of a Teflon tube with a needle at each end. Between treatments, the needles were left in place and the tube allowed blood flow to reduce clotting. But Scribner shunts lasted only a few days to weeks. Frustrated by this limitation, Dr. James Cimino recalled his days as a phlebotomist (blood drawer) at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital in the 1950s when Korean War veterans showed up with fistulas caused by trauma. Cimino recognized that these fistulas did not cause the patients harm and were easy places to get repeated blood samples. He convinced surgeon Kenneth Appel to create some in patients with chronic kidney failure and the result was a complete success. Scribner shunts were quickly replaced with Cimino fistulas, and 40 years later, they are still the most effective, longest-lasting method for long-term access to patients’ blood for dialysis.

June is shaping up to be a busy month at UCSF.

• Monday, June 2, 1 p.m., Fistula consultation with Dr. Charles Eichler

• Wednesday, June 11, 1.45 p.m., Fistula pre-op appointment

• Tuesday, June 17, 6 a.m., Fistula procedure

Since June 2 and June 11 are both morning dialysis days the afternoon UCSF appointments will make for a long day in San Francisco. 

Irene does not want to stay overnight at UCSF (standard protocol) following the June 17 procedure.  She can avoid staying overnight if she’s the first scheduled procedure of the morning which is why she’s scheduled at 6 a.m.  She will be released late that evening barring any complications.  She has dialysis early the next morning!!! We plan to spend the previous Monday night lodging in San Francisco. 

You’ll recall that this Fistula procedure is necessary to replace the Tesio dialysis port currently in her chest. 

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Fandango’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This evening was a FIRST!  We joined my InterWest colleagues, Chuck and Nancy Coppage, at Fandango’s Restaurant in Pacific Grove, http://www.fandangorestaurant.com/, for dinner this evening!!  It was the first time we’ve ventured out to dinner with another couple on a dialysis day.  Irene really enjoyed the refreshing and upbeat conversation!!!  She arrived home very fatigued but joyful at this evening’s accomplishment. 

We also made several appointments with UCSF in the coming weeks related to Irene’s upcoming “Fistula” procedure.  More on the specifics in tomorrow’s update.

We pray you have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day Holiday weekend!!!

Thanks for caring,

Dave

.... A CONSUMING FIRE!!!!!!!

From FoxNews.com:

Out-of-Control Wildfire Whips Through Santa Cruz Mountains, Prompts Evacuations

Santa Cruz, CA —  Gusty winds fanned a wildfire Thursday that burned several homes, forced evacuations and closed schools in the mountains of central California, where rugged terrain frustrated efforts to get a handle on the fast-moving blaze.

Hundreds of people fled as the nearly 4-square-mile fire continued to grow despite more than 500 firefighters and a swarm of tanker planes and helicopters dousing the area.

Residents of hundreds of homes were asked to leave, but many are unoccupied vacation houses. No injuries had been reported.

Irene was up early, went to Starbucks and to the bank, strolled Bed Bath and Beyond and ultimately rushed her way through Safeway because of hunger pangs.  She was “blown away” by the fierce wind each time she was in and out of the car running errands.  However, I came home to dinner and enjoyed a delicious home made turkey pot pie!!  Yum .... !!!!!!!!

Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar until evening when it intensified and her extreme fatigue continues…

Do you know the song, “same song same verse” .... !!!??!!!

Second verse, same as the first!!!!!!!!!

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire
Deuteronomy 4:24a

Describing God as a “consuming fire” is an intriguing metaphor worth musing upon.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

A condition of the HEART ....

According to Wikipedia ....

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG, abbreviated from the German Elektrokardiogramm) is a graphic produced by an electrocardiograph, which records the electrical activity of the heart over time. Its name is made of different parts: electro, because it is related to electrical activity, cardio, Greek for heart, gram, a Greek root meaning “to write”. The abbreviation “EKG” is preferred over the more straightforward “ECG” in oral communication, because the latter may be misheard as EEG.

Electrical waves cause the heart muscle to pump. These waves pass through the body and can be measured at electrodes (electrical contacts) attached to the skin. Electrodes on different sides of the heart measure the activity of different parts of the heart muscle. An ECG displays the voltage between pairs of these electrodes, and the muscle activity that they measure, from different directions. This display indicates the overall rhythm of the heart, and weaknesses in different parts of the heart muscle. It is the best way to measure and diagnose abnormal rhythms of the heart, particularly abnormal rhythms caused by damage to the conductive tissue that carries electrical signals, or abnormal rhythms caused by levels of dissolved salts (electrolytes), such as potassium, that are too high or low.  In myocardial infarction (MI), the ECG can identify damaged heart muscle. But it can only identify damage to muscle in certain areas, so it can’t rule out damage in other areas. The ECG cannot reliably measure the pumping ability of the heart; ultrasound is used for that.

Irene’s three days a week of dialysis treatment continues.  The dialysis team is increasingly concerned about Irene’s consistent blood pressure DROP which measures in the 89/50 range.  They are recommending that she schedule an electrocardiogram.  The amyloidosis can invade all of the internal organs including the heart.

Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

.... if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with you heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 8:9-10

Are our hearts aligned with God’s?

Is our heart soft toward Him?

Is our heart teachable?

Do we guard our heart?

Do we believe in our heart?

God is intensely concerned about the condition of our HEART.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Do you ever WRANGLE with God?

Candidly, I do and imagine that you do too.  We struggle, at times, with the many injustices that occur in this fallen world and we observe significant human pain and suffering.

So, how do we appropriately respond?  What shall we and can we do? How do we reconcile the divergence of what we see and the sense of justice that’s in all of our hearts?

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Irene has enjoyed several good days.  She’s wrestled with the nausea and fatigue but faithfully plods through the days and is actually tackling the yard with a vengeance!!  She’s keeping the house in order (and that’s a tough job with me being around!!!!!!!) and is thoroughly enjoying the longer days of sunlight and spring weather!

In Psalm 91 God promises to save us from “pestilence”, defined as “a serious infectious disease” and used twice (Verses 3, 6).  God also promises to protect us from harm and says that no disaster will go near our tent (Verse 10).

So, how do we respond when the hideous disease, amyloidosis, afflicts an unassuming victim, causes harm and enters the tent?  Especially when the disease strikes one who is walking in trust and obedience as a child of God?

Has God lied?

Has God fooled us with promises in His Word that are not true and can’t be relied upon after all?

How do we reconcile this apparent disparity without simply reducing our thoughts to rationalization??

So, first of all, as finite beings, let me be clear that I don’t think we’ll ever be able to figure out an INFINITE God and there are many questions that will never be fully reconciled this side of heaven .... there’s a dynamic tension that will exist until there’s a New Heaven and New Earth.  Besides that, if we did “figure it all out” God would probably change the circumstances just to remind us that He is in control!!

Mark Twain once said that it wasn’t the parts of the Bible that he didn’t understand that bothered him but, rather, he was deeply bothered by those parts of the Bible that he did understand.

For me, I reconcile the apparent disparity through the lens of ALL of scripture while maintaining a very HIGH VIEW of God .... and believing that He is Loving, Just and Trustworthy.  We maintain a high view of God but realize that our vision is finite and blurry.  We never see the Big Picture as God does!!

Here are just a few thoughts and scripture references that help us maintain PERSPECTIVE:

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:45b

Ask WHAT, not WHY. In other words, the WHY can never be fully vetted but the WHAT can be better understood and applied.  What is God teaching me?  What am I to do next?

We believe that there can be redemptive purpose for illness; specifically to bring Glory to God.  Illness exposes the reality of our frailty and confirms that our years on earth are but a mist.  (James 4:14)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
(Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses because He knows we are WEAK!!!!!!!)

Praise the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all his benefits –
Who forgives all your sins
And heals all your diseases
Psalm 103:2-3
(If there were not diseases in the world the Lord wouldn’t have to heal people of them)

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

Irene models faithfulness and more easily reconciles these issues.  She knows God, obediently walks with Him and trusts Him wholeheartedly ....

When I wrangle with God I remind myself that HE is God; I am the created being.  God does not lie and he doesn’t fool us with words that He won’t fulfill.

And beside all of that, who am I to challenge the “Loving Sovereign”, who gives us life and designs us to serve .... not be served.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
John 9:1-3

Irene and I were out of the house early this morning running several errands, enjoying breakfast and people watching at the Dolphin Restaurant on the Santa Cruz Wharf.  We savored the high blue sky, sailboats, seals and the rigorous surf.  Irene commented several times .... ”it’s a good day to be alive….!!!!”

The nausea remained at a low roar and she was able to remain fairly active for most of the day.

For those of you who have been traveling Irene’s Journey of Faith with us for the last year+, you may recall that when she was hospitalized at UCSF in May of 2007 BOTH of her eyes experienced detached retinas from steroid treatment as part of the stem cell transplant preparation protocol.  UCSF had never seen that reaction before and it wasn’t until their research discovered a white paper written in 1986 that they learned that the side effect was, in fact, possible.  You may also recall that Irene wore protective sunglasses in her hospital room for several weeks to offset extreme blurriness until her sight was finally restored without undergoing any sort of surgical procedure.  Maintaining a sense of humor at that time, she referred to herself as having vision akin to Mr. Magoo!!!  Both retinas naturally re-attached and her more normal vision returned over time, although she now wears glasses more often than ever before.

However, through that experience Irene’s VISUAL blurriness lead to significant SPIRITUAL insights and an abiding peace which sustained her and continues to this day, keeping her laser beam focused on Jesus.  As a follower of Jesus her attitude is a mirror image of His, which is that this entire state of affairs has happened so that the work of God might be displayed in her life.  She is a willing vessel channeled for God’s ultimate purposes.

As long as it is day we must do the work of him who sent me.
John 9:4a

You can read John, Chapter 9 here.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene received GOOD NEWS on this day which is her 11 month stem cell transplant birthday!!!

Yes, UCSF reported that the Cappa Light Chain value is 39.4....!!!

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	90
May 2008	39.4

We are reminded of the lyrics of the great hymn:

Our God is an awesome God,
He reigns from Heaven above,
With wisdom, power and love,
Our God is an awesome God.

The GOOD NEWS put lift into Irene’s spirits, a skip in her step and a smile on her face .... after a tearful and eternally grateful, first response ....

Please join us in worship, adoration and praise of our AWESOME God ....!!!

.... and THANKS for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave