There was what I call a “Jesus Sky” as I drove in to work this morning. You probably have seen one. From a small breaking, the circle of the sun shines brightly through billowing clouds, and a just few feet down from the sun are smaller openings with long misty rays reaching for the earth. When I was little, I would pretend I could see Jesus floating down on one of the rays, coming back to get us. This morning, I have to admit, with expectant ears, I longed to hear the trumpet blast.

Not that twenty-five is “old,” but the older I get the more I realize that life is never going to have a long enough season of “good.” The bad times may always outweigh the good times, and even in the serene times there may always be something bad looming in the shadows. There is a song that begins by saying, “Wonderful is what I perceived this life to be, pain and problem free, but over time I found reality, and through it all I see You’re the only one who gets me.” I think I lived many years expecting that because Jesus was in my life turning all things into good that everything WOULD be good. I think I expected that I would never have to wait – never have to trust with longing heart to see Him come through. Why should I if He’s always with me, right?

Now I see that He doesn’t really work that way. He’s not about me; I’m supposed to be about Him. Don’t get me wrong; He loves us with a passionate love. Just like the song above says, “You’re the only one who gets me;” He is the only one who gets us, who loves us, who created us, who causes us to have hope for tomorrow. His hand reaches in to our inner places and heals the hurts, the pains, the rejection, and the disappointments so that in their place He can set up his hope and his love.

But that’s just it. He heals us, but the hope is still being projected – like a movie projected onto a wall. There will be times when I feel like God is projecting and projecting, but will never deliver. There will be times when I feel like I have no more tears to cry. There will be times when I am so angry with Him I wonder if my hip is going to go out of place like Jacob’s. There will be times when He seems so far away I will wonder if I could ever touch Him in the first place.

But the hope is always projected – like Noah’s rainbow in the sky. Jesus is coming. It may be that in my eyes it’s taking forever. It may be that in my eyes it would be easier for Him to just take us up with him – I wouldn’t mind having a cup of coffee with Paul this afternoon, how about you?

But instead we wait. With baited breath we wait. Holding fast to the promise that he said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:12). So do not be weary in doing good! Do not give up on clinging to His promise! One day Jesus really will be coming to get us – to take us home, to be with him. We are strangers on this earth, but one day we will be friends. Hold fast. Don’t give up. Trust. Believe.

I just watched that video of my mom talking about the journey she (and of course our family) has been on (posted below). My first reaction was, “God, can’t you come back already? This illness stinks. The economy stinks. The world stinks. Can’t you come back??”

This was the response:
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. “
Psalm 46

He is faithful. He is coming. He is God. Thought maybe you would be encouraged too….

Discouragement.

Pain.

Discomfort.

Questioning.

Loneliness.

Hurt.

Injustice.

These are words I can think of when I think of my mom’s situation.

This is where it can be easy to dwell. This is where Satan wants us to dwell.

Christ came to bring:

Encouragement

Life.

Peace.

Resolution.

Community.

Healing.

Justice.

Hope.

This is where it can be hard to dwell. This is where Jesus wants us to dwell.

There are days when all I can hope for is that Jesus will one day redeem us. When life can feel like a big whirr of nothing, I can reach out in the abyss and find a mighty and outstretched arm to hold on to. No, sometimes His hope cannot be immediately seen in the circumstance. Sometimes blow after blow comes, and we almost forget that we are more than conquerors. But then in the fog of the moment, we hear a voice that reminds us that we can get up, that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. The power of God is greater than any spiritual stronghold that might try to keep us down. He is always here. The following song has been very encouraging to me lately. It is by Matt Redman.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won’t turn back

I know You are near

And I will fear no evil

For my God is with me

And if my God is with me

Whom then shall I fear?

Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

A glorious light beyond all compare

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You, still I will praise You”

I love the part that says, “I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on and there will be an end to these troubles…” As we hold on to the promises, as He clings to us and we cling to him, there will be an end to all of our troubles. Who should we fear? God is for us. He is with us. Why are we downcast? Why so disturbed in our hearts? We can put our hope in God. We can praise Him, our Savior and our God (Psalm 42:5).

He doesn’t let go. Not ever.

I know absolutely nothing about sports, especially basketball, but today at the APU Christmas party the speaker was telling us a story which included a description of basketball nets. He said that when a team defeats its archenemy/rival they cut the net. When he said this, I saw the curtain in the holy of holies being torn. I thought of how when Jesus defeated his archenemy, Satan, the holy of holies curtain was torn in half – taken down because Jesus was declared the Winner. He was (and still is) the Conqueror. We don’t understand why things are happening the way that they are; we don’t know what the future holds, but I’m so glad that Jesus holds the net. He already declares victory over the enemy. We are still playing the game, but the winner has been chosen. Sometimes Satan tries to viciously take out one of God’s team members; but Jesus already declares that we will always be part of his team, this game will be won, and we will end as champions. When Jesus hung on that cross, Satan thought he had risen victoriously; but Jesus is the one who rose victoriously as He conquered the grave, and now He reigns forever. Don’t ask me why God gave a music major a sports analogy, but He did. We trust in and wait for His ultimate victory.

Birthdays. Christmas is actually a birthday party. I remember when I was a child I always used to wonder why we didn’t have birthday cake on Jesus’ birthday. Sometimes the child in me still thinks of how ridiculous a cake would look with over 2,000 candles. But I am so grateful for the person we celebrate on Christmas day. Whether we celebrate with candles and cookies, turkey and pumpkin, or trees and presents, all of the additional traditions that we have come to know and love pale in comparison to the One whom we celebrate every year.

Tomorrow, December 6, 2007, there is another person we celebrate. This celebration does not include a manger and a cross, but, rather, Portuguese meat, pickles, French bread, and, of course, presents. This person never walked on water, made the lame walk, or redeemed the world, but he has had impact none the less. This website is a prime example. Tomorrow is my dad’s birthday. And it’s not just any birthday; it’s his 50th birthday. This year he did not give his life on a cross, but he gave his life in other ways to help support my mom and to continue to support our family. So, if you feel like it, share with my dad what he means to you and help make his day ultra special.
Happy birthday, Dad!

As I was driving in to work this morning, with tired eyes I gazed up into the morning sky. I suddenly saw an array of purples and oranges hovering over the sunrise. It looked like a sherbet sunset. My immediate reaction was, “Oh! How beautiful!” But then I remembered that the reason for this assortment of colors stemmed from massive fires throughout Southern California that are burning homes, vegetation, and everything else in their way. I suddenly felt bad for thinking that the sky looked beautiful. But then I thought, “Isn’t that just like God to still make something beautiful out of a horrible situation?” I thought of Isaiah 61:3 that states that God will “provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” God literally was creating beauty out of ashes. They were displaying the splendor of God.
There is an older song sung by Crystal Lewis called “Beauty for Ashes.” These are the lyrics:

“He gives beauty for ashes, Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning, Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy o’er your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning, Peace for despair

When what you’ve done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes, Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning, Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I’ve been set free
I’ve been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes, Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning, Peace for despair”

I think of this often when I think of all that my mom has been through. I often think that one day God IS going to bring beauty for ashes. As suffering hangs “heavy o’er [her] head,” I also pray that he will bring “wholeness and healing” so that we can see his goodness “in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).

Though sometimes all we can see, taste, and smell is the ash and smoke, God has beauty for ashes waiting when the smoke clears and the flames die away. For though, when the fire comes, everything is destroyed, we have faith and believe that he will beautifully rebuild us in Him.

In light of my dad’s entry today, I immediately thought about this song:

“Caught in the half-light, I’m caught alone
Waking up to the sunrise and the radio
Feels like I’m tied-up, what’s holding me?
Just praying today will be the day I go free

I want to live like there’s no tomorrow
I want to dance like no one’s around
I want to sing like nobody’s listening
Before I lay my body down
I want to give like I have plenty
I want to love like I’m not afraid
I want to be the man I was meant to be
I want to be the way I was made

Made in Your likeness, made with Your hands
Made to discover who You are and who I am
All I’ve forgotten help me to find
All that You’ve promised let it be in my life

I want to live like there’s no tomorrow
I want to dance like no one’s around
I want to sing like nobody’s listening
Before I lay my body down
I want to give like I have plenty
I want to love like I’m not afraid
I want to be the man I was meant to be
I want to be the way I was made”

My mom loves this Chris Tomlin song – this is how she lives her life. When I think about what God calls us to do as Christians, this is exactly it. He wants to take over our lives. We have each been made for a specific purpose. He has redeemed our lives for a very definite reason. He wants us to live with reckless abandon. Not like the world sees reckless abandon – the world’s motto is: “Have fun – do what you want, when you want.” God’s reckless abandon comes as we recklessly run into His love and give our lives over to Him. He wants us to love others with all our hearts, He wants us to give as though the resources will never run out, He wants us to fulfill the purpose that He has for us day by day. Not so that we can give Him a list of all the great things that we have done, but so that His heart can be seen to those who have never realized his voice. He wants us to hand Him our lives so that He can touch others with His love.

The way that God made us is not so that we can live for our own pleasure. If that’s the case, my mom would have given up on God a long time ago. God made us to be in relationship with Him – to get to know Him, to learn His voice – which is tender, not accusatory. He wants us to become skilled at knowing when He is speaking, to learn His heart, and to see that He has created us for eternity. It’s our decision to hear Him, our decision to accept Him, and our decision to obey Him. His goal is eternity – that’s where His eyes are fixed. Bad things happen, but thankfully we know that in ALL things God promises to work for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), therefore we have hope in all things.

When we find the purpose He has created for us, we find true abundance. He wants to take over our lives so that we can have joy, so that we can see meaning in life, and so that we have significance. He wants us to be able to sing, love, give, and “be” with reckless abandon – to discover who we have been made to be – to have our hearts filled – and to find acceptance in a world that really stinks sometimes. He wants our entire lives so that He can give them back to us in plenty. He wants us to know His whispers, so we can hear His promises, and live out the plan He has for us. Only then do we live with reckless abandon and become who we were made to be – because only then are we, as the creation, tuned in to know the Creator’s exact purpose for us.

She carries herself with grace and beauty – therefore she was sometimes seen as weak. But the Strength my mom carries with her makes her strong. Her body has never seemed frailer, but her spirit has never been so unbreakable.

To hear my mom teasing again, to see her smile again, to watch her moving around the house is a gift from God. God has turned our mourning into dancing, made beauty from ashes. Joy has come from sorrow. Every day is still a struggle – a struggle to walk up and down a flight of stairs, a struggle to look at a plate of delicious food but to almost see it as an enemy, a struggle to stay positive and patient. But we have seen God with our eyes. As Job proclaims “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). We have seen God work in very desperate circumstances. He has proven His power. He is displaying His riches.

While some days are good and some days are bad right now, we thank God for every day that we are alive. We thank God that He has made every day – we rejoice and are glad. He has shown us that He follows through on his promises. He promises to never leave us or forsake us – He hasn’t yet. He promises to give us peace beyond all understanding – He has completely. He doesn’t promise that struggles won’t come, but He has promised to be there every step of the way. And through this journey, He has revealed Himself to be an ever-present, faithful God, true to His word.

We keep walking, keep trusting, and keep believing. God has been faithful - now it’s our turn to return the favor.

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.”

I came across these hymn lyrics (again) today and thought they were highly applicable.

I was reading in Job the other night and read the part where messengers come to him and tell him everything that he had was completely destroyed (including his children). The Bible says that Job fell to his knees - and from here I demonstrate my lack of “God perception” versus how much Job perceived - I expected it to say “and He wept bitterly.” But it doesn’t say that. It says that He worshipped the Lord.

That was truly humbling for me to realize. Everything was gone, but Job never once cursed God. He declared that even if the Lord destroyed him, He would praise. He also declared that his Redeemer lives.

That’s amazing faith. I want that kind of faith, but most of the time it comes with stipulation to God like, “God give me that faith, but don’t make me go through anything hard to get there.”

Well, this situation with my mom is definitely difficult, but we keep believing that she will be healed.  With the hope of her coming home, we rejoice - But we also pray for complete healing from head-to-toe, inside and out.

I am reminded that even though I may be weary, Jesus isn’t. He never grows tired or weary. He is still in control (and thankfully he’s not tired at all).

So, we rest. We quiet our souls before the One who knows. We are still. We recognize that He is God. We continue to worship Jesus, and we continue to hope in what we do not see.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

“Nada te turbe; nada te espante; todo se pasa; Dios no se muda,
la paciencia todo lo alcanza. Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta. Solo Dios basta.” ~Saint Teresa of Avila

Translation: “May nothing disturb you. May nothing astonish you. Everything passes. God does not go away. Patience can attain anything. He who has God within, does not lack anything. God is enough.”

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
“Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. If you’re tired and you are thirsty, there is freedom. Freedom reigns in this place, showers of mercy and grace falling on ev’ry face. There is freedom. Jesus reigns in this place, showers of mercy and grace falling on ev’ry face. There is freedom.” (song by Jason Upton)

As I hear the distant boom of fireworks at the Rose Bowl and we celebrate the freedom of our country, the Dias’ (and our friends ) celebrate a huge freedom for my mom – freedom from the ICU into a single room in the oncology ward.

I keep thinking about how year after year people have begun to forget the true meanings of holidays, but my mom never has. She loves Fourth of July, she loves our country, and she appreciates our freedoms.

My mom has been a prisoner to the pain of her own body. Inside, she has been herself all along, but this pain has kept her captive. We pray that, as God heals, He will bring freedom – freedom of health and freedom of physical ability. As I lay in bed this morning enjoying a day off, I was thinking about how four friends lowered their lame friend on a mat to see Jesus because they believed Jesus could free him from his physical “prison.” Jesus knew what the man needed most, and instead of healing him, He forgave Him from the prison of sin – the true merciless prison. But Jesus didn’t stop there. He granted physical healing as well – physical freedom. (Mark 2)

As we celebrate Independence Day, we thank God for the freedoms that our country has. We thank God for the people who have fought for us and the people who continue to do so. We thank God for our liberties in this country, but we also thank Him for the liberty that He gave us through His Son Jesus. We are free from the chains of sin and of death. We are free from guilt. We are free from the sin that entangles us.

And, most of all tonight, we acknowledge that Jesus has already set my mom free from what she really needs – freedom from sin. And now we hope in expectation that Jesus will bring physical freedom to my mom – that she will be healed of the amyloid and feel free in her body …And that she will leave UCSF Medical Center “jumping and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:8)

Just to warn you, I really don’t have a common thread, just a lot of thought “bits and pieces.”

In Bible study, as we sent off a couple of leaders who are moving, they were talking about how our pastor has been a spiritual father for them and how he changed their lives. In explanation, our pastor talked about the importance of having a mentor or spiritual parent ... What does this have to do with my mom you ask?

Well, I have never needed a “spiritual mother” – well, I have, but God has blessed me with a spiritual and biological mother all wrapped up into one. When all my friends were inconsistent, my mom has been consistent. She has always listened, always understood, and always encouraged. Sometimes, yes, she had to speak truth that wasn’t what I wanted to hear – but my mom has been my true friend. She has been a true mentor – not only leading by words, but by example. I think my mom is the only one who can still be in a hospital bed and encourage ME to have faith. We believe that God will heal her, and we wait in anticipation for Him to work wonders on our behalf.

Today Psalm 27:13-14 popped in my head: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” We wait for the Lord to show His goodness. He is mighty, and He is able. Sometimes I am so impatient. I want this amyloidosis to go away, and I want my mom to be completely restored – NOW. But we wait for God’s perfect timing.

Going along with the passage from Luke 8, my friend pointed out to me that Jesus made the man with the sick daughter wait. It seems like Jesus got distracted and cared more about the woman tugging on his cloak than he did a twelve year old little girl. But Jesus didn’t. He had perfect timing. In HIS timing, the little girl was healed. So, even though this process seems to be taking a really long time, I know Jesus hasn’t gotten distracted or forgotten. I told God today I wasn’t going to stop praying and believing until we see my mom healed (I’m sure that is many of your prayers as well).

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and confident of what we do not see. I know that I have now quoted this verse 3 times, but I cling to the promise of hope in it more than ever – and with new understanding

As my mom was enduring pain this weekend, I was reminded that her present sufferings aren’t worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed – which, of course, is easy for me to say since I’m not the one in pain. But then I envisioned my mom standing in heaven with a big fluffy purple robe on and 12 crowns stacked on her head all trying to balance – standing in the glory that was given to her from God. Her life is a testimony, and God wants to talk to as many people as He can through her illness because she is faithful to walk through it and willing to trust His heart. God doesn’t let any bad happen without having good in mind; it goes against His character – which is one of the many reasons, I might add, that He is so cool.

We wait for healing – believing in the Healer. I realize that I covered about 20 different topics in one journal entry, but I’ve had so many scattered thoughts lately. We trust in the Lion of Judah – the Lamb that was slain. He is worthy to receive all glory and power. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the King of Kings and Prince of Peace.

He is faithful – He can NEVER disown himself.

My mom was just moved to the 9th floor ICU of UCSF. They want to keep her on consistent dialysis because what they have been doing before just isn’t working.

We keep praying - keep trusting. I am continually reminded that faith is being sure of what we hope for and confident of what we do not see. We see the pain; God sees the glory.

My wisdom bank has run out at the moment. God has given me an abundance of peace, and I seem to be gliding on that right now.

Today someone asked me how my mom was doing, and as I was answering, he said, “You are probably sick of people asking.” And I thought, “Not at all; it means that people still care, and that they are still praying.” Thankfully we have friends and family who are ceaseless in their prayer. As we learn to come before the throne of God moment by moment, I am reminded of the woman who begs and pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter:

“And He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’
But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’
Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once.”
(Matthew 15:26-28)

He is the God who spoke the world into existence and the God who laid the foundation of the earth. He was there when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. He is the God who commands the morning, and causes the dawn to know its place.

He is mighty. We trust Him and believe that, even today, He can perform mighty miracles.

I don’t know what the future holds, but we wait… remembering that it’s a day-to-day journey… walking in faith and obedience… His love will never leave…

I don’t have the update yet from this morning, but I see that no one updated from last night. Last night my mom’s bones were causing excrutiating pain - they were giving her pain medicine. They were also monitoring her heart rate because it had picked up. All of her other vitals were fine, so they think it might be just the amount of pain she is in, but they were still be very cautious nonetheless. I’m sure my dad will update something soon, but I just knew how we have such faithful friends who are praying so I wanted to let you know what you can be praying for. Thanks!

The other night I briefly mentioned the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed (Luke 8). I have been thinking about that ever since.

I have always liked that woman. She had so much courage and so much faith. Not only was she societally unclean, but she would have been looked down upon simply as a woman in Biblical times. I also love Jesus’ reaction because it shows how unconventional, yet wonderful, Jesus really is.

Because she was bleeding, she was never allowed into normal society - always kept away from people and interaction. She was “unclean.” But she took a risk. She believed that Jesus could heal her. So she risked being brutally rejected, by not only the people surrounding Jesus who knew of her disease, but by Jesus himself. Yet she believed that if she simply touched Him, she would be clean. What radical faith.

The fact that she was a bold woman could have gotten her banished quickly as well. Jesus could have chosen to not even speak to her because she was of a lower “class” as a woman.

But Jesus did neither of these things. He called her out, yes. But He did not call her out to expose her or to humiliate her and “put her in her place.” He called her out to make an example of her faith, which had made her well. Not only that, but He owned her by calling her “daughter.” “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

This is why we cannot lose faith. How many times in the Bible did Jesus say, “Your faith has healed you”? I’m not a theologian, but I’m pretty sure it’s many, many times. We wait in anticipation. We wait for Jesus to pass so we can run and push through the crowds. We cry, “Just let me touch Him! Move - I just need to touch His cloak, and my disease will be healed!!” We wait for Jesus to say, “I know that power has gone out from me.” And we sit at His feet in thankfulness as He acknowledges, “My daughter, take heart. Your faith has made you well.”

Faith. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.” Matthew 14:25-36

We wait in faith for Jesus to say, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19

I am so grateful for your encouragement. I needed it tonight to remind me that, ultimately, God loves us. His love is great and mighty. His love endures forever. Nothing can separate us from His love.

When I was little, my mom and I would listen to (and, of course, sing along with) a children’s tape by the Gaither’s all the time. There was a particular song on it that I was reminded of as I read your well wishes.

It goes like this:

“They’re all above me, beneath me, before me;
They’re all around me.
My Father’s angels all protect me everywhere.

I could never stray so far
my Father would lose track of where I am.
Angels walk beside me,
holding tightly to my hand.

They’re all above me, beneath me, before me.
They’re all around me.
My Father’s angels all protect me everywhere.

Even when the night’s so dark
I just can’t see a thing in front of me.
I don’t need to worry;
they can see.
They see me!

They’re all above me, beneath me, before me.
They’re all around me.
My Father’s angels all protect me.”

As we trust in Jesus, we know that He has commanded His angels concerning each one of us to guard us in all our ways - especially my mom (Psalm 91:11). We trust in His heart. As most (if not all of you) know, music is very important to me (thus all the lyrics ;o) ), I was just reminded of another song that my mom used to listen to all the time growing up, and it has helped me a lot this year. It goes like this:

“All things work for our good, though sometimes we don’t see how they could. Struggles that break our hearts in two; sometimes blinded to the truth. Our Father knows what’s best for us - His ways are not our own. So when your pathway grows dim and you just don’t see Him, remember you’re never alone.

God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand; when you can’t see His plan; when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

He sees the master plan, and He holds our future in His hand, so don’t live as those who have no hope for our hope is found in Him. We see the present clearly, but He sees the first and the last; and like a tapestry, He’s weaving you and me to someday be just like him.

He alone is faithful and true. He alone knows what is best for you.”

We keep trusting… keep believing… He is a Healer… We ask that, in Jesus’ name, He demonstrate that mightily.

But, ultimately, His heart is pure, and we trust His heart.