Have you ever wanted something so bad that you were willing to give up most anything in the world to obtain it? Sure you have. We have all been there. As children, we NEEDED that special toy, as adolesence' we MUST HAVE that boyfriend or girlfriend (no matter the cost), as young teenagers, if we don't get that "iPad" "iPod" "I',m Peeved" or whatever the latest electronic sensation was, we were MOSTLY DEAD!
Life is like that..."we want what we want when we want it" and that's just the total sum of our patience as human beings. Let me tell you why I bring this up (I was going to anyway).
Over the last 4 or 5 weeks, Barb and I, in the middle of our "Valley of Baca or Way of Sorrow" (Ps. 84:6) had the pleasure of visitors all from out of state and one even out of the country. First our precious friend came from Cabo St. Lucas to visit us, he came as our friend and ministered to our hearts. He came without invitation (not that that matters, of course) but he wanted to see for himself how Dave and Barb were doing and he is so prayerful for us knowing what we are involved in health wise. In fact he is the one I wrote about a couple of devotions ago. Then guess what? My Mother calls and plans to come to physically check on her son. It was a short but sweet visit and I loved it I'm not finished.
Not very long after my Mother's visit we get a call from, would you believe it, we got a call from a couple that we grew very close to and have known for decades and they drove their Harley Davidson motorcycle out, to spend a few days with us. Naturally they are precious friends and we absolutely had a "blast".
And just last night we said goodbye to a man and woman that we graduated from Seminary with back in the middle 80's. Yes, they called and had already booked a hotel room just a few miles from our home and they were taking these days away from home JUST to visit with us from Northern California. And tonight as I sit here thinking of all the goings on (of course, we're tired), I would have given up anything materialistic to experience this 4 to 5 week spread of great joy for Barb and I. And the last to come, Thom and Sandi, two of the most admirable people I know, showed us a VERY GOOD TIME and we laughed and cried, talked and ate (mostly ate) and had such a wonderful time in fellowship with them. AND I WANTED IT! I relished each visit willing to give up most anything I owned just to be in all of their company.
One day, a couple thousand years ago, a young man, in His prime, hung on a cross and said "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit" (Lu 24:46). Where can I go with this? The only place is to the Father in Heaven. You see, our Father wanted us so badly, as He created us so preciously to be His lifelong friend in fellowship and then made provisions for our eternity.
You see, even God, our Father in Heaven, wanted something so bad, that He was willing to give up ANYTHING, and He gave His Son who would cover our sins and create a path to heaven. I was watching my ALL TIME FAVORITE music video (which is on my blog) called "I can only Imagine" and as the tears rolled down my cheeks, God began to write and above is what He said.
I want money! I want a home! I want clothes! I want food! I want shelter! I REALLY want a motor home (a little selfish since I already have a 5th wheel, huh?)! I want peace! I want joy! I want LOVE! But most of all I want to be with Jesus. And I'd be glad to give up all those other things and more to stand in His presence. I'm including the link to "I Can Only Imagine" so you can get a taste of what I am saying and feeling.
http://andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html
God Loves you just the right amount!
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Make It A Spring
"How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee. In whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring. The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion." (Psalm 84: 5-7)
Today, Barb had her appointed time with our beloved Chiropractor, Dr. D., and ALWAYS, while there we have a Biblical discussion during her "bend and flex" session. And of course, today was no different than it has been for over a decade or two, perhaps.
Anyway, Dr. D asked me if there was anything that had settled in my heart during this week from God's Word and naturally (those of you who know me know that) I had a response. In fact, just last week in a home Bible study we had gone through the 3rd book of The Psalms and of course my second favorite verse of scripture in Psalms (second only to Psalms 51) is in chapter 84 and so I shared with him these verses and explained how important it is for us to recognize that we are not merely passing on scripture but "building wells" in life as people come after us, those who suffer some of life's difficulties that we have.
How important it is that as His disciples that while we are experiencing these difficult times in life, that we stop long enough to dig a well ("make it a spring") so that when these others pass this way, they too, will be able to be refreshed along the way. There is so much more joy than sorrow as we suffer trials if we know and truly understand God's Holy Word. We actually have the ability to help another that we may in fact, never meet in this life as they travel through this sorrow.
"The valley of Baca" also known as "the way of sorrow". Not much to look at and certainly not overwhelmingly encouraging, but God puts it in just a way that we can see His glory in the act.
Your facing a trial this very day, in your life. Are you sitting in a corner feeling very sorry, or are you making "the way of sorrow" a place of refreshment for another somewhere down the road. They say that "beauty is in the eye's of the beholder"! I say the gift of mercy is in the "heart of the sufferer."
Maybe we all should start carrying a shovel around with us.
To my precious friend...Dr. D
Dave
Today, Barb had her appointed time with our beloved Chiropractor, Dr. D., and ALWAYS, while there we have a Biblical discussion during her "bend and flex" session. And of course, today was no different than it has been for over a decade or two, perhaps.
Anyway, Dr. D asked me if there was anything that had settled in my heart during this week from God's Word and naturally (those of you who know me know that) I had a response. In fact, just last week in a home Bible study we had gone through the 3rd book of The Psalms and of course my second favorite verse of scripture in Psalms (second only to Psalms 51) is in chapter 84 and so I shared with him these verses and explained how important it is for us to recognize that we are not merely passing on scripture but "building wells" in life as people come after us, those who suffer some of life's difficulties that we have.
How important it is that as His disciples that while we are experiencing these difficult times in life, that we stop long enough to dig a well ("make it a spring") so that when these others pass this way, they too, will be able to be refreshed along the way. There is so much more joy than sorrow as we suffer trials if we know and truly understand God's Holy Word. We actually have the ability to help another that we may in fact, never meet in this life as they travel through this sorrow.
"The valley of Baca" also known as "the way of sorrow". Not much to look at and certainly not overwhelmingly encouraging, but God puts it in just a way that we can see His glory in the act.
Your facing a trial this very day, in your life. Are you sitting in a corner feeling very sorry, or are you making "the way of sorrow" a place of refreshment for another somewhere down the road. They say that "beauty is in the eye's of the beholder"! I say the gift of mercy is in the "heart of the sufferer."
Maybe we all should start carrying a shovel around with us.
To my precious friend...Dr. D
Dave
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The End Of The World!
Over the last couple of weeks, a Christian radio station here in the Phoenix area has been proclaiming, with more than plenty of support, that today, our world will end, and the Lord Jesus Christ will return for His bride, the church. Let me be one to say that I would not be able to be MORE happy if that were true, however having studied the Word of God for lots of years (probably just as this pastor from the radio), I would be the first to say this is a complete and utter falsehood and this pastor is in fact, a "false teacher".
Especially if he has studied his Bible, then he well knows that God's Word, straight from the mouth of Jesus claims that "no man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven". In old testament times, if a prophet was found to be a false teacher, even if by only 5%, it would be suggested that he be "stoned" to death. In today's society, our only recourse (aside from boycotting his programs) is to be held as a "laughing stock" in the Christian world.
The non-believer already has plenty to look around the world and criticize we Christians about, we surely don't need another, who professes to study God's Word, "mocking" our faith. So here I sit at 12:20AM on May 21, 2011 wondering where these knuckleheads come from. I believe that they can come from a breed of people that truly do read God's Word and want to understand but really have a difficult time in getting their hearts in line with God's Word and so whatever thoughts they may conjure up at the moment become a reality to them and some, are sufficiently endowed with money so that they may disrupt the normal flow and continuity of God's Absolute plan. And they, "open their mouths" leaving all doubts behind.
Might I suggest to some that there is an alternative to such nonsense. And that is the exegetical study of God's Word, allowing His speaking and teaching to flow from us rather than trying to "squeeze" our thoughts into His Word and make them work.
Jesus said in John chapter 14 that, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me," and this is written after Jesus has promised that He is going to prepare our eternity. The second a human being picks up God's Word and intentionally attempts to "cram" his/her thoughts into God's Holy Word and make them gospel, he/she, at that point, has "isogeticaly recreated" the message of God, away from the "Absolute" meaning of God, to some other philosophy of mankind.
We are NOT (any of us) the interpreter of God's Infinite thoughts but rather the recipient of His Grace "AS IT IS WRITTEN"!
My prayers as I sit here tonight trying to help us all better understand God's purpose, is that He TRULY does come today, May 21, 2011, and rapture His bride, the church from the chaos we find ourselves in currently, but even more importantly is that our faith teaches us from one day to the next that we are His children, subject to His word and not our humble desires.
In my physical condition, I have prayed many times, "Maranatha (come quickly) Lord Jesus" which continues to be my prayer tonight. However until I hear that "TRUMPET" and see my Savior, mounted upon His beautiful steed, I will remain, the disciple He called me to be, honest and true to His word and not to those who would, so recklessly, attempt to gain something by distortion.
We of faith are waiting on you, Lord Jesus. Please do come as soon as directed by our Father in Heaven.
Dave
Especially if he has studied his Bible, then he well knows that God's Word, straight from the mouth of Jesus claims that "no man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven". In old testament times, if a prophet was found to be a false teacher, even if by only 5%, it would be suggested that he be "stoned" to death. In today's society, our only recourse (aside from boycotting his programs) is to be held as a "laughing stock" in the Christian world.
The non-believer already has plenty to look around the world and criticize we Christians about, we surely don't need another, who professes to study God's Word, "mocking" our faith. So here I sit at 12:20AM on May 21, 2011 wondering where these knuckleheads come from. I believe that they can come from a breed of people that truly do read God's Word and want to understand but really have a difficult time in getting their hearts in line with God's Word and so whatever thoughts they may conjure up at the moment become a reality to them and some, are sufficiently endowed with money so that they may disrupt the normal flow and continuity of God's Absolute plan. And they, "open their mouths" leaving all doubts behind.
Might I suggest to some that there is an alternative to such nonsense. And that is the exegetical study of God's Word, allowing His speaking and teaching to flow from us rather than trying to "squeeze" our thoughts into His Word and make them work.
Jesus said in John chapter 14 that, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me," and this is written after Jesus has promised that He is going to prepare our eternity. The second a human being picks up God's Word and intentionally attempts to "cram" his/her thoughts into God's Holy Word and make them gospel, he/she, at that point, has "isogeticaly recreated" the message of God, away from the "Absolute" meaning of God, to some other philosophy of mankind.
We are NOT (any of us) the interpreter of God's Infinite thoughts but rather the recipient of His Grace "AS IT IS WRITTEN"!
My prayers as I sit here tonight trying to help us all better understand God's purpose, is that He TRULY does come today, May 21, 2011, and rapture His bride, the church from the chaos we find ourselves in currently, but even more importantly is that our faith teaches us from one day to the next that we are His children, subject to His word and not our humble desires.
In my physical condition, I have prayed many times, "Maranatha (come quickly) Lord Jesus" which continues to be my prayer tonight. However until I hear that "TRUMPET" and see my Savior, mounted upon His beautiful steed, I will remain, the disciple He called me to be, honest and true to His word and not to those who would, so recklessly, attempt to gain something by distortion.
We of faith are waiting on you, Lord Jesus. Please do come as soon as directed by our Father in Heaven.
Dave
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Update From Previous Post
My wife received a phone call from Juan in Mexico City and he is doing fine and returned to his homeland safely. What was "very" exciting about his phone call is that he told my wife that he cannot get my conversation with him about Jesus Christ out of his heart. Perhaps now that a seed has been planted, the Holy Spirit will take over.
A real quick request would be to pray for Juan. He knows of God. Now he needs to take action and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit by asking Christ into his heart. We remain in contact with him.
God is Good.
(Yeah, it's 3:30 in the morning. Having a lot of trouble getting to sleep).
Dave
A real quick request would be to pray for Juan. He knows of God. Now he needs to take action and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit by asking Christ into his heart. We remain in contact with him.
God is Good.
(Yeah, it's 3:30 in the morning. Having a lot of trouble getting to sleep).
Dave
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Chalk Up Another Day For Christ
Morning everyone. Yesterday was my normal day for chemo, however it was anything but normal. You see, while Barb was busy working all those years with "Fearful Flyers" she ran into a person who lived in Mexico City and was a fearful flyer.
His precious mother was dying of cancer and he desperately needed to get on a plane to Houston, Texas to be by her side. Obviously, Barb is pretty good at talking people through their fears and she managed to (via cell phone) walk this man through the fear he had of flying and he was able to get on the plane to get to his mother's bedside (that's wonderful now here's the story).
We became good friends over the years and even planned a 3-day get together in Las Vegas, Nevada and had such a wonder full time. To bring the story up-to-date, we had not seen him or her since, until today when he flew into Phoenix just to come and sit with me and Barb while I had my chemo treatment.
I thought that was very generous of him and we talked about a lot of everything and then at one point he said, "David, I do not share in this peace that you seem to have while you visit with these doctors and nurses and you are going through such terrible treatment" (Barb has kept him up to date on my treatment). What a wonderful intro into the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So for the next 20 minutes or so, I had his undivided attention as I explained what it was that allowed for the peace in my life. We laughed together and cried together and our relationship was even more deeply renewed. However, I explained to him that "now he had a decision to make about Christ." He had always considered himself a Christian man (with a Catholic background) however he had never been confronted with his own sin and mortality until today. I explained to him that he needed to dwell on our conversation and we would come back together and gather his thoughts. Through his tears, he hugged me and was so grateful that someone would take the time to explain the "Truth of the Gospel of Christ" and he would, indeed take to heart our conversation.
So now that you are all informed, you, as Christian men and women are obligated to pray that the seeds planted in Juan's heart will "take hold" and he will start searching and understanding the truth that was shared with him.
Such a wonderful, kind and loving man, I explained that even though that may be so about him, his destiny lay between heaven and hell based on his decision about Christ. And so we will be visiting with him for a few days and you can be sure that "closure" will come to that conversation with our "Good Friend, Juan".
God Bless him and all of you as well,
Dave
(just another sleepless night so let's give God the glory)
His precious mother was dying of cancer and he desperately needed to get on a plane to Houston, Texas to be by her side. Obviously, Barb is pretty good at talking people through their fears and she managed to (via cell phone) walk this man through the fear he had of flying and he was able to get on the plane to get to his mother's bedside (that's wonderful now here's the story).
We became good friends over the years and even planned a 3-day get together in Las Vegas, Nevada and had such a wonder full time. To bring the story up-to-date, we had not seen him or her since, until today when he flew into Phoenix just to come and sit with me and Barb while I had my chemo treatment.
I thought that was very generous of him and we talked about a lot of everything and then at one point he said, "David, I do not share in this peace that you seem to have while you visit with these doctors and nurses and you are going through such terrible treatment" (Barb has kept him up to date on my treatment). What a wonderful intro into the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So for the next 20 minutes or so, I had his undivided attention as I explained what it was that allowed for the peace in my life. We laughed together and cried together and our relationship was even more deeply renewed. However, I explained to him that "now he had a decision to make about Christ." He had always considered himself a Christian man (with a Catholic background) however he had never been confronted with his own sin and mortality until today. I explained to him that he needed to dwell on our conversation and we would come back together and gather his thoughts. Through his tears, he hugged me and was so grateful that someone would take the time to explain the "Truth of the Gospel of Christ" and he would, indeed take to heart our conversation.
So now that you are all informed, you, as Christian men and women are obligated to pray that the seeds planted in Juan's heart will "take hold" and he will start searching and understanding the truth that was shared with him.
Such a wonderful, kind and loving man, I explained that even though that may be so about him, his destiny lay between heaven and hell based on his decision about Christ. And so we will be visiting with him for a few days and you can be sure that "closure" will come to that conversation with our "Good Friend, Juan".
God Bless him and all of you as well,
Dave
(just another sleepless night so let's give God the glory)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
I Don't Know; You Tell Me
Tonight, Barb and I shared an wonderful evening with our friends who used to be our next door neighbors and we got to talking about a healing service that they attended while I was in the hospital last weekend (I was supposed to be there with them). Anyway, the doctors were checking my viral loads for the liver (for possible bone marrow transplant) and the last time they were checked they were well over the 300,000 level. Today we get a call from the doctor's office to tell us that the viral load on this current test are practically "non-existent". WHAT???
Okay, so here's the kicker (this is GREAT news of course). We find out tonight that Kim, while at the healing service brought up a photo of me to the front and the pastor laid hands on her cell phone and today we get this news.
I DON'T KNOW; YOU TELL ME. Got a feeling God is already looking for a bone marrow Donner for me. Starting to get exciting.
"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Any feedback?
Dave
When things look their darkest, we should always remember, we have a BIG, BIG GOD! I'm betting you guys already knew that.
Okay, so here's the kicker (this is GREAT news of course). We find out tonight that Kim, while at the healing service brought up a photo of me to the front and the pastor laid hands on her cell phone and today we get this news.
I DON'T KNOW; YOU TELL ME. Got a feeling God is already looking for a bone marrow Donner for me. Starting to get exciting.
"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Any feedback?
Dave
When things look their darkest, we should always remember, we have a BIG, BIG GOD! I'm betting you guys already knew that.
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