The Saddleback Showdown
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/15/influential-pastor-to-host-faith-forum/

We’ve heard it said that it’s already been a long and arduous campaign season.  Candidates become weary and worn on the campaign trail but trudge on.  Irene is on a brutal trail herself, the Primary Amyloidosis Showdown for over a year.  She is harassed by nausea and fatigue 24/7 but trudges on.  Unfortunately, an election date in November won’t settle the uphill battle.

We long for good governance.  We long for political stability, and we long for the presidential candidates to openly declare their positions at the Saddleback Showdown.  We long for clarity and understanding.

Stay tuned for live coverage on your local Fox News Channel on Saturday, August 16, @ 5 pm Pacific Time.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

COUPLES WHO PRAY .... the most intimate act between a man and a woman.

According to the book, Couples Who Pray, what are the most significant BENEFITS of couples praying together ....?

• The quantity and quality of lovemaking escalates 20%.
• Respect rises 19%.
• Couples who pray frequently are 18% more likely to say “my spouse makes me feel important.”
• 30% more are apt to say “my spouse delights in me.”
• 21% more people “try to make their marriage better” when they pray a lot.
• “My spouse is romantic,” goes up 21% through more prayer.
• “My spouse is a skillful lover” benefits 17% when couples pray more.
• 19% are more likely to say they are “very happy with their marriage.”
• Among couples who pray, the fear of divorce is 0% — virtually eliminated.

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis treatment and came home intensely nauseated, severely fatigued and dreadfully itchy .... especially the region of her upper and lower back.  The itchiness is becoming chronic and is yet another manifestation of her treatment protocol.  24/7 itchiness, on top of everything else, is certainly an ongoing frustration.  It keeps us on our knees and praying for her to get relief from such anguish!!

What do Irene and I personally believe are the benefits of praying together?

• A firm foundation to build on
• A unified and focused life purpose
• Reaching agreement on decisions
• Shared hearts and increasing intimacy
• Experiencing the Presence of God in our midst

.... for where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20

.... and the two will become one ....
Ephesians 5:31b

COUPLES WHO PRAY experience the most intimate act between a man and a woman .... and it doesn’t get any better than that.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Storytelling is a very powerful communication technique and there are four primary metaphors that God uses to challenge and help us understand his ways.

Farming

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:2b-9

Fishing

“.... the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

Matthew 13:47-51a

Athletics

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Military

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Matthew 8:8-10

Irene continues to “sow the good seed” on the Amyloid journey.  She is a “fisher of men” by drawing people closer to God because of her faithful testimony.  She is running in such a way as to “win the prize” and she is spiritually prepared for battle.

Candidly, there are times when the Amyloid journey, which is quickly approaching 18 months, can be compared to fighting a 15 round boxing match .... except that it feels like the 18th round .... with an unknown number of rounds still ahead.  The tiring body craves relief from the battle and longs for victory.  Because “training” was planned for an intense 15 rounds .... not 18 and beyond, existing physical, spiritual and emotional resources are depleted and reserves are counted on to backfill the present need.  An extreme fatigue factor begins to settle in on a variety of fronts .... and all relative synonyms apply .... exhaustion, languidness, languor, lassitude, or listlessness.

However, we’re revived by the Word ....

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ....
Hebrews 12:1

Fight the good fight of faith.
1 Timothy 6:12

Do not become weary in well doing.
Galatians 6:9

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Storytelling and metaphors are powerful communication techniques.  They magnify a message like a megaphone to the heart .... and as the bell rings for the “next round” of the tumultuous match .... we yearn for restoration from Almighty God and His Word.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

From The Valley of Vision

Puritan Prayers and Devotions

My Dear Lord,
I can but tell thee that thou knowest
I long for nothing but thyself,
Nothing but holiness,
Nothing but union with thy will.
Though has given me these desires,
And thou alone canst give me the thing desired.
My soul longs for communion with thee,
For mortification of indwelling corruption
Especially spiritual pride.
How precious it is
To have a tender sense and clear apprehension
Of the mystery of godliness,
Of true holiness!
What a blessedness to be like thee
As much as it is possible for a creature
To be like its Creator!
Lord, give me more of thy likeness;
Enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness;
Engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual
Experiences,
And when I feel at ease after sweet communings,
Teach me it is far too little I know and do.
Blessed Lord,
Let me climb up near to thee,
And love, and long, and plead, and wrestle
With thee,
And pant for deliverance from the body of sin,
For my heart is wandering and lifeless
And my soul mourns to think it should ever
Lose sight of its Beloved.
Wrap my life in divine love,
And keep me ever desiring thee,
Always humble and resigned to thy will,
More fixed on thyself,
That I may be more fitted for doing
and suffering.

With heightened security because of the terror risks, most ACCESS to the floor of the Congressional House of Representatives is reserved for elected Congress and Senate Members (and their staff) who convene during an official judicial session.

A historic event took place today as citizens (including me) were invited to the floor of the House for a third day of an “unofficial” session in order to observe an unprecedented protest by the Republican Party.  Members had “prayed and pledged” into the unofficial session and were calling for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow them to vote on a comprehensive energy plan to relieve high fuel costs affecting most Americans.  Several Congressman and Senators emphatically communicated that there is bi-partisan support for this plan.  The only problem was this: House Speaker Pelosi had adjourned the Congress for summer session three days ago and literally turned off the chamber lights, microphones and cameras. It’s certainly a provocative news item ....

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/republicans-pro.html

Irene was out of the house early this morning and had her foot bath treatment at Dr. Buford McCharen’s office.  He continues to graciously extend this service to Irene which is designed to remove toxins from her system.  She continues to graciously endure the relentless 24/7 nausea and fatigue.

Whether or not the House of Representatives reconvenes to pass an energy relief bill or not, I believe our country does need a comprehensive energy policy which includes the following ....

• Conservation
• Alternative Fuel development
• Domestic drilling

And, YES, WE CAN, achieve all three of these energy policy objectives!

Okay, enough on politics and now off my bully pulpit ....

We don’t need to wait for a crisis to have unique ACCESS to God the Father.  That access is granted by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Son, where his payment was made in full, on our behalf, at the cross of Calvary.  Jesus grants us ACCESS to our Heavenly Father .... anytime, anywhere, for any reason.

And, in the meantime, I do hope that we get relief at the pump very soon!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

“Americans came to liberate, not to conquer, to restore freedom and to end tyranny.”
Chiseled in stone @ the World War II Memorial

Irene had a relaxing and restful day enjoying the high blue sky and panoramic bay views from the house with Carmen, Jane and Arie.  Although physically challenged with the ongoing amyloid related issues, Irene’s spirit remains free and faithful in the Lord’s provision.

Visiting the U.S. Capitol is always humbling and deeply emotional.  It’s where freedom rings and patriotism reigns.  Between meetings I have bicycled and savored all of the Capitol Mall memorials and landmark institutions represented in the area.  The United States of America, behind Israel, in my humble opinion, and for many reasons, is the most inspiring nation on the planet.

I am proud to be a citizen of the U.S.A. .... and equally proud of the stone chiseled words at the World War II Memorial .... where “Americans came to liberate, not to conquer, to restore freedom and to end tyranny.”

Jesus came into this world not to conquer but to liberate, to restore freedom and to end tyranny.  However, His Kingdom is not of this world for His purposes were to free us from the SPIRITUAL BONDAGE of sin’s stronghold.

For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
John 12:47b

I am thankful for being saved by Jesus and a member of His eternal Kingdom; permanently liberated and freed from the oppression and tyranny of sin.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Is that Irene waving at us from inside the fish tank…?

Today Irene went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with sisters Jane and Carmen.  Arie, Carmen’s granddaughter, also accompanied them.  They enjoyed a hardy seafood lunch at Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing and ate dinner at the Whole Enchilada on the way home.  Irene’s nausea remained at a tolerable low roar and her energy was good enough to enjoy the entire day.

Although the top photo is not Irene waving at us from inside the fish tank, it does sums up the fun-filled day she had at the aquarium.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene,
We continue to pray for you and love on you before the Lord...you are never far from our thoughts and even after all this time we contend for full healing. We are dedicated to walking this road with you through ups and downs. We consider walking that road together to be a huge privilege for us.

Bless you my sister.
Laura

This evening, former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, autographed a bookmark of Irene’s Journey of Faith with the following, “To Irene, you are in my prayers, your friend, Newt Gingrich”.  I can hardly wait to get it into Irene’s hands!!

Irene is enjoying several days with her sisters, Carmen & Jane, as I travel to Washington DC attending several business meetings.  Carmen and Jane always breathe life into Irene!!

Irene and I have always valued Newt’s keen political insights and his deep knowledge of U.S. history and politics.  I ran into Newt this evening at the DC Coast Restaurant and introduced myself knowing that we share several common relationships.  He was very friendly and gracious.  You can read more about Newt’s work at www.newt.org.

We’re grateful for the army of prayer warriors, which now adds Newt, who prayerfully intercede on Irene’s behalf.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

In this world you will have trouble.
John 16:33b

…do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12

Scripture is abundantly clear that we should not be surprised but, rather, to expect troubles, trials and suffering.  So the question is .... how do we trust God in the midst of such ordeals .... especially if and/or when they’re drawn out over an extended period of time?

Irene’s stem cell transplant/chemo therapy treatment dates back to June of 2007.  To date (13+ months), her fingernails have not grown back, although progress is finally being made on her ring finger and pinky.  All of the fingernails on her right hand remain as the thumb, index and middle finger are portrayed in the photos.  Fortunately, however, her toenails have returned!!!  Irene’s face, hands and feet still have darker skin than the rest of her body but are ever so slowly returning to her natural olive complexion.

We can only trust God in the midst of our troubles, trials and suffering to the extent that we KNOW him and have EXPERIENCE with him.  Knowledge and experience teaches us that God is trustworthy even in our darkest hours.  Knowledge and experience teach us that He is FAITHFUL and that he manifests his presence to us during those very challenging times.  In Jesus Christ we overcome whatever comes our way .... even, in Irene’s case, the colossal challenge of Primary Amyloidosis.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33b

Caminando con Fé

Dave

According to the Westminster Catechism, “man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.”

Irene’s fatigue and nausea were unyielding but we ventured to Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, http://www.mounthermon.org for worship services this morning and later enjoyed the company of Tom and Deb Steipp.

If we “desire to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23b) and our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, we join the author in Psalm 69:30 and declare:

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

“…sustained by my Faith, Family and Friends” is the comment made by my friend Paul Johnson from Michigan, who is grieving the recent loss of his dear wife, Marilyn.  He was referring to the question about how he was coping at this stage of the grieving process. 

Irene received a “Patient Report Card” at the dialysis center today…and was measured in the following areas…

Glucose
Potassium
BUN
Albumin/Protein
Calcium
Phosphorus
PHT, Intact

All of the values were within acceptable range.  In fact, she got smiley faces in each category and two stars on her report card!!! 

Being sustained by faith, family and friends are also very germane to Irene’s Journey of Faith. 

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4


Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Arroz Con Pollo!!

Despite it being a dialysis day, Irene prepared a delicious Mexican dinner for Carmel Ferreria, my dad’s sister (my aunt!!), Lisa Brydon (Carmel’s daughter/my cousin) and Emily, Lisa’s 14 year old “soccer” star and me to enjoy this evening!!!  We missed seeing Lisa’s husband, Jamie, who is busy working in Washington DC.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

I desire to depart and be with Christ
Philippians 1:23b

Paul’s writes that his desire is to depart this world and be with Christ…and he writes in the present tense without qualification. 

How many of us can honestly make that same statement?  My conclusion: very few. 

* Was Paul delusional?
* Was he insinuating about the notion of taking his life?
* Or, was the motivation behind his statement one that defined greater intention? 

Examining the context of Paul’s statement one sees a greater life purpose being defined in his words and motivation…

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Philippians 1:21-26

Convinced that he will remain, Paul’s purpose was to urge his readers to continue progressing in their faith, with the manifestation and JOY of Jesus overflowing in their lives. 

How does our desire mirror that of Paul’s, which is to depart and be with Christ, yet, since we remain on this earth, to completely understand why we’re here and live with and on purpose?

The secret is found another statement written by Paul…the secret of denying our own agenda and pursuing God’s. 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2.20

I don’t hear too many people often talking about “being crucified with Christ” or their desire to “depart and be with Christ”…even within the ranks of those who call themselves Christians.  We’re often times consumed with the pursuit of our own agenda and the fulfillment of our own lusts in this world.  However challenging the theology, we’re called to be set apart and desire that which God desires…and to pursue that which is completely contrary to this world. 

We are emphatically learning these lessons on Irene’s Journey of Faith. 

To live is Christ, to die is gain
Philippians 1:21

I desire to depart and be with Christ
Philippians 1:23b

Caminando con Fé
Dave

He gives grace to the afflicted.
Proverbs 3:34

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10b

It is hard to believe that it is ONE YEAR since my UCSF discharge (officially July 20, 2007).  What a colossal journey of faith!!!!  And yes, this is the first UPDATE that is coming directly from me .... and I hardly know where to begin. 

However, here are some reflections ....

• I have a grateful heart and deeply regard the prayer and support from so many.  The outpouring of support has been humbling and overwhelming, and I know the Body of Christ is at work in our midst.  Your website well wishes, visits, flowers, cards and other expressions of love and support mean more to me than words can express.
• I am grateful to the InterWest Team and loyal clients supporting Dave so he can support me.
• I call Dr. Alan Buchwald, my “Fairy God Father”.  He fervently supported me in the spring of 2007, when all of this began, and he was the first to diagnosis nephrotic syndrome (kidney failure) prior to my transfer from Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz to UCSF.  His phone call to Dr. Stephen Gluck in the Nephrology Department at UCSF was also instrumental in successfully securing my UCSF admission.
• The Dominican Hospital nursing team was amazing.
• I am grateful to Don Thomas who also aggressively intervened in securing my successful admission into UCSF.  His telephone call to Mark Laret, the CEO of UCSF, was instrumental.  Ultimately, the UCSF admission led to the diagnosis of Primary Amyloidosis.  And, without that diagnosis and treatment, I wouldn’t be writing this today.
• And to the UCSF team itself…words cannot express the abundance of caring support from their entire team, from the admissions office, to the nursing team, to the blood center, to the physicians who tirelessly supported my nearly three month hospitalization.
• With the incomprehensible 45 blood transfusions during my UCSF hospitalization I have deep appreciation for the many faithful blood donors who supported me during some of my darkest and literally blurred hours from the two detached retinas.  And, for Janette Bruffey, who stepped up as the coordinator for the donors.
• I am so grateful for meeting the faithful who work at the Satellite Dialysis Center.  Many caring attendants have become more than supportive professionals .... they have become friends.
• A recent blessing is that of a relatively new relationship…Dr. Buford McCharen and his wife Victoria.  Dr. McCharen’s practice is located in Aptos (http://www.aptoscorecare.com/), and is offering me free and frequent foot baths intended to clean toxins from my bloodstream to supplement the three day a week dialysis treatments.  They’re caring outreach is an amazing gift.

Brief observations and candor ....

• God is trustworthy…and we have experienced Him every moment of the journey.
• He has given me peace that surpasses all understanding through his ever abiding Holy Spirit.
• God’s Word is reliable and we have seen His many promises and truth’s prevail.
• I am not solely praying for my healing.  I feel my responsibility is to give praise and worship to the One who is faithful and whose grace is sufficient.  I can do this because of the many prayer warriors who continue to lift me up in prayer.
• Our life is a mist and our sojourn on this earth is a brief one.  I urge you to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior in order to guarantee your eternal destination with God in Heaven.

We don’t know what the future holds but we know the One who holds the future .... but as I frequently exclaim, “it’s a good day to be alive”!!!!!

THANK YOU for your continued prayer intercession to our faithful and loving God who alone directs our paths.  May He get all the glory!

I am filled with comfort.  I am overflowing with joy in all my affliction.
2 Corinthians 7:4

.... thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57

Praising Jehovah-Rapha (I AM the Lord who heals),

Irene