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

As Bill O’Reilly would report, you are entering the NO SPIN ZONE…

Here’s a quick report of our trip to UCSF today. 

As previously reported, last week Irene’s nephrologist, Dr. Surinder Kumar, who is overseeing Irene’s dialysis treatment, strongly urged her to consult with Dr. Charles Eichler at UCSF, “sooner rather than later” regarding the function of the recently installed Cimino Fistula.  He told Irene that the fistula was not functioning correctly.  Then, today, one of the dialysis nurses informed Irene that “perhaps” she had a blood blot in the fistula region.

Now, I don’t want to exaggerate, but Dr. Eichler spent…oh, about 10 seconds checking Irene and verified that the Cimino Fistula is functioning PERFECTLY at this stage following the recent surgical procedure.

Taking the high road, and without further commentary, we will conclude and report that it is better to be safe than sorry!!!!  Now, wasn’t that nicely stated…? 

On a positive note, prior to the brief consultation with Dr. Eichler we had the privilege of visiting and praying with Scott Halverson (who works at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center) who is battling cancer and is admitted at UCSF.  Scott’s strong faith and supportive family are a true testimony to the glory of God!!!!

http://halverson-family.com/?p=134

We continue with NO SPIN on Irene’s journey of faith!!!

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men ....
Ecclesiastes 3:11a

(FOX News) Tony Snow, the former White House press secretary and conservative pundit who bedeviled the press corps and charmed millions as a FOX News television and radio host, died Saturday after a long bout with cancer. He was 53.

A syndicated columnist, editor, TV anchor, radio show host and musician, Snow worked in nearly every medium in a career that spanned more than 30 years.

Irene and I have been Tony Snow “fans” for years.  His sharp intellect, his innate ability to remain laser beam focused on the most provocative and complicated issues combined with a fabulous sense of humor, made Tony a joy to watch, listen to and learn from.  We are saddened by his death on this earth but realize he now LIVES at his final destination .... with Jesus and His Followers in Heaven.

We have been created not only for life on this earth for but for all of ETERNITY.

Tony Snow understood this profound truth as articulated in this Christianity Today article on July 20, 2007.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men ....
Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Caminando con Fé

Dave

A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:24

We’ve got a late-breaking report.

This morning at dialysis, Dr. Kumar, Irene’s kidney doctor, told her that as he listened with his stethoscope at the location of the Cimino Fistula procedure, that it didn’t sound like it was functioning appropriately.  We’ve just scheduled an appointment with UCSF for this Monday @ 3 p.m.  It’s not exactly what we were hoping to learn today, but God is in control ....

I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 10:23

Caminando con Fé

Dave

According to Wikipedia ....

Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. A fast may be total or partial concerning that from which one fasts, and may be prolonged or intermittent as to the period of fasting. Fasting practices may preclude sexual activity as well as food, in addition to refraining from eating certain types or groups of foods; for example, one might refrain from eating meat. A complete fast in its traditional definition is abstinance of all food and liquids except for water.

Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. It is mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old Testament (the Tanach) and New Testament, the Qur’an, the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads. Fasting is also practiced in many other religious traditions and spiritual practices.

Fasting is also used in a medical context to refer to the state achieved after digestion of a meal. A number of metabolic adjustments occur during fasting and many medical diagnostic tests are standardized for fasting conditions. For most medical purposes a person is assumed to be fasting after 8-12 hours. A diagnostic fast refers to prolonged fasting (from 8-72 hours depending on age) conducted under medical observation for investigation of a problem, usually hypoglycemia. Fasting has occasionally been recommended as a therapeutic intervention by physicians of many cultures, though it is uncommonly resorted to for this purpose by modern doctors.

Isaiah 58

True Fasting

1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.

2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.

3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 58:1-14

FASTING is an intriguing issue.  For those who want to delve more deeply into the subject matter, we refer you to this fascinating doctoral dissertation by Kent D. Berghuis, Ph.D.

Irene and I are vacationing the week of July 7-11.  No, we’re not going away but I am scheduling some much needed time off.  It will be a different kind of vacation because Irene still has her scheduled dialysis on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.  Our plan is to radically disrupt the new “routine” with an atypical rhythm.  My capable InterWest colleagues will support me and serve client needs in my absence.

I’m also wondering about the notion of fasting on vacation .... not necessarily from food, but from all forms of electronic media, i.e. internet, email including my Blackberry (the most challenging of all!!!!!!), television, etc.  This equates to no irenedias.com updates for awhile.  Why, do you ask, will there be no updates?  The most direct and honest answer is for personal renewal. Candidly, re-engaging in my day job and updating on the website as an extra task is, at times, somewhat challenging.

MARGIN is the defining word during the upcoming vacation.  And, abstaining from our worldly and humanly appetites for some period of time, according to scripture, has enormous benefits.  I’m going to try and do both.

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility — young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Daniel 3-18

Obtaining WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING are additional and compelling reasons for FASTING.  Perhaps a person is more receptive to hearing God while fasting because abstaining reminds the one fasting to focus more on Him.  The contradicting world’s value system hopefully becomes even blurred and obscure .... and He becomes more clearly in focus.

The discipline to abstain and stay focused is certainly going to be a challenge .... the evidence is that most people don’t want to deprive themselves of anything .... after all, how many people do you know that intentionally FAST .... and/or do so on a regular basis?  And, who would naturally and intentionally deprive himself of a worldly appetite?

Thanks for your continued support.

The next scheduled update is Monday, July 14, 2008.

Caminando con Fé

Dave