Had a busy day today.
Kind've weird...went and cleaned out my office at the church this morning. It was neat to find papers, projects, ideas, and agendas from 4 years of ministry and be reminded that God has been so thickly present in our time at Wadsworth.
In our victories and our failures.
In our moments of stellar brilliance and our moments of less than stellar brilliance.
I am amazed that this church we've called home and have tried to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly over the last few years has given us a survival window. So many on our unit have been let go of their jobs, and yet our church has taken care of us in incredible ways to bridge the gap for us as we head toward Columbus in 2012.
Bittersweet to think about our time ending with the Saints at Wadsworth UMC.
On the hospital front: Chaia is ok. I am so proud of her in this because there is contentment and joy when there really shouldn't be.
This kid is marked by God. I don't know where this story is going and of course I have parental bias, but I really see Chaia's life being leveraged for the glory of God in significant ways (as it already has.)
Tomorrow, December 1 is Chaia's 5 month birthday.
Hopefully we'll have a celebration to share with you.
Shaina and I need your prayers. This road is long. And tonight it seems uphill.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Nine
First, Chaia's procedure to put a new PIC Line in was hugely successful. Switched from her left arm to her right arm and she has been her normal self throughout the afternoon.
Now, Hebrews 9:1-28
Want to know what Heaven is like?
According to this chapter, you can get a familiarity with at least one aspect of Heaven by understanding the earthly tabernacle/temple set up.
I encourage you to take some time and 'feed yourself' and do some digging into what the tabernacle was like. It can really help to study the design of the tabernacle and then pray through that design. So that's a homework assignment for you.
13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
With Jesus, we have a better way.
It is interesting to me what the point of the cross is in this passage. It isn't forgiveness (though he certainly forgives us). It isn't our salvation (though we are certainly saved.) It is "so that we can worship the living God." We are forgiven and saved for a purpose...which is to lift His name High.
I think any Gospel that is more about US than HIM is narcissism.
Those who know Jesus and have been redeemed by the cross and resurrection exist to make much of Him.
So the challenge for me and for you...How are we doing? With our friends? Our family? Our coworkers?
Do they know that you carry the name and fame of Jesus by the way you treat them, work and care?
Now, Hebrews 9:1-28
Want to know what Heaven is like?
According to this chapter, you can get a familiarity with at least one aspect of Heaven by understanding the earthly tabernacle/temple set up.
I encourage you to take some time and 'feed yourself' and do some digging into what the tabernacle was like. It can really help to study the design of the tabernacle and then pray through that design. So that's a homework assignment for you.
13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
With Jesus, we have a better way.
It is interesting to me what the point of the cross is in this passage. It isn't forgiveness (though he certainly forgives us). It isn't our salvation (though we are certainly saved.) It is "so that we can worship the living God." We are forgiven and saved for a purpose...which is to lift His name High.
I think any Gospel that is more about US than HIM is narcissism.
Those who know Jesus and have been redeemed by the cross and resurrection exist to make much of Him.
So the challenge for me and for you...How are we doing? With our friends? Our family? Our coworkers?
Do they know that you carry the name and fame of Jesus by the way you treat them, work and care?
Monday, November 28, 2011
Updates and K.O.
First, remember this?
Well, the guy in the middle is K.O. and he also does this:
And he has been on the Sing Off on NBC doing this:
And tonight, his group, Pentatonix won the Season Three Title and he loves Chaia (the sign he signed says so).
So, my point? Chaia is essentially a rockstar...for those of you still not convinced.
Updates:
Jack is at a rehab hospital for the next 6 months to a year in Ireland. Its an hour and a half from home, so the challenges and strain on the family continues. Pray.
My Grandma Thompson had the pressure removed in her head. She has been alert and responsive and is now heading to Wooster tomorrow to begin her rehab.
Shaina's Grandma Penrod was released on Wednesday, spent Thanksgiving at home then had some bleeding in her stomach and was readmitted again Friday, but is doing ok and last we heard should be on her way home this week.
New one: My uncle John found out he has cancer today. I don't know the details as of yet, but pray for him and the Buss family.
Chaia had a good day today. The adventures begin tomorrow. They will be removing her PIC Line and trying to insert a new one in her other arm. It is a relatively low risk, normal procedure, but nothing really is normal these days, so pray for her, for us and for our entire family as we've been hit sorta hard the last few weeks. Chaia's PIC Line starts at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning.
Jesus is Better...Still.
Well, the guy in the middle is K.O. and he also does this:
And he has been on the Sing Off on NBC doing this:
And tonight, his group, Pentatonix won the Season Three Title and he loves Chaia (the sign he signed says so).
So, my point? Chaia is essentially a rockstar...for those of you still not convinced.
Updates:
Jack is at a rehab hospital for the next 6 months to a year in Ireland. Its an hour and a half from home, so the challenges and strain on the family continues. Pray.
My Grandma Thompson had the pressure removed in her head. She has been alert and responsive and is now heading to Wooster tomorrow to begin her rehab.
Shaina's Grandma Penrod was released on Wednesday, spent Thanksgiving at home then had some bleeding in her stomach and was readmitted again Friday, but is doing ok and last we heard should be on her way home this week.
New one: My uncle John found out he has cancer today. I don't know the details as of yet, but pray for him and the Buss family.
Chaia had a good day today. The adventures begin tomorrow. They will be removing her PIC Line and trying to insert a new one in her other arm. It is a relatively low risk, normal procedure, but nothing really is normal these days, so pray for her, for us and for our entire family as we've been hit sorta hard the last few weeks. Chaia's PIC Line starts at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning.
Jesus is Better...Still.
Hebrews Challenge Chapter 8
Hebrews 8:1-13
Hope you're joining along in the challenge to read through the book of Hebrews with us.
The author is making an appeal to his audience by saying, "You know this really great thing in the story of our faith? Jesus is better."
You know angels? Spiritual beings of the Lord Most High? Jesus is better.
You know Moses? Spiritual juggernaut and faithful servant in God's house? Jesus is better.
You know the high priests who have led the faith and worship in the tabernacle for centuries? Jesus is better.
You know Melchizedek, this priest of all priests that even Abraham paid homage to? Jesus is better.
And now chapter 8. You know the law that has been your gold standard for how to live and how to be in covenant with your God? You know the instruction manual for how to love God and live in obedience? Jesus ushers in a new way. A new covenant. And Jesus is better.
That's the message stirring in my heart this morning. I sat on Chaia's bed when we arrived at the hospital and just thought about what her future holds. I love her and want her to be healed. I want to get out of this hospital so that we can begin the transition to our new calling to plant a church in Columbus. I want to watch Chaia in school plays and take her on daddy-daughter dates to cool places so that she will secretly like me more than mom (kidding). I want to walk her down the aisle to marry some guy who had survived my shotgun interview (not kidding). I want to be a grandpa who's heart swells as each grandchild lives and thrives. What could be better than that?
And the message that I hope you get by now...is that the message of the Gospel is that JESUS IS BETTER.
Better than my hopes, dreams, ambitions and idols. Better than my daughter, my wife, my very own life. Better than success and joy and happiness. Jesus is better.
The point of the New Covenant that the writer of Hebrews is talking about is Hebrews 8:11...And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, "Know the Lord" for they shall all know me.
In church yesterday, we heard a message on John 17 and the verse that grabbed my attention was verse 3. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Eternal life = We get HIM.
And there is absolutely nothing better than that.
Hope you're joining along in the challenge to read through the book of Hebrews with us.
The author is making an appeal to his audience by saying, "You know this really great thing in the story of our faith? Jesus is better."
You know angels? Spiritual beings of the Lord Most High? Jesus is better.
You know Moses? Spiritual juggernaut and faithful servant in God's house? Jesus is better.
You know the high priests who have led the faith and worship in the tabernacle for centuries? Jesus is better.
You know Melchizedek, this priest of all priests that even Abraham paid homage to? Jesus is better.
And now chapter 8. You know the law that has been your gold standard for how to live and how to be in covenant with your God? You know the instruction manual for how to love God and live in obedience? Jesus ushers in a new way. A new covenant. And Jesus is better.
That's the message stirring in my heart this morning. I sat on Chaia's bed when we arrived at the hospital and just thought about what her future holds. I love her and want her to be healed. I want to get out of this hospital so that we can begin the transition to our new calling to plant a church in Columbus. I want to watch Chaia in school plays and take her on daddy-daughter dates to cool places so that she will secretly like me more than mom (kidding). I want to walk her down the aisle to marry some guy who had survived my shotgun interview (not kidding). I want to be a grandpa who's heart swells as each grandchild lives and thrives. What could be better than that?
And the message that I hope you get by now...is that the message of the Gospel is that JESUS IS BETTER.
Better than my hopes, dreams, ambitions and idols. Better than my daughter, my wife, my very own life. Better than success and joy and happiness. Jesus is better.
The point of the New Covenant that the writer of Hebrews is talking about is Hebrews 8:11...And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, "Know the Lord" for they shall all know me.
In church yesterday, we heard a message on John 17 and the verse that grabbed my attention was verse 3. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Eternal life = We get HIM.
And there is absolutely nothing better than that.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Advent
The day after Thanksgiving has been the day in the Thompson household where we traditionally have marched out into the forest. Me, with my lumberjack flannel button up shirt and saw. Shaina with her keen eye for the perfect tree...not too tall...not too plump...not too filled with wild animals.
This year it just isn't going to happen. So that means we needed some new traditions.
So, after the Browns flubbed away another one...our friends Jess and Bryan Javorek came to visit Chaia. And they brought this:
So we decorated it. And then Shaina and Chaia and I watched this:
And then our own little elf was pretty wiped.
This is a big week for Chaia.
There are talks of surgical procedures...to replace PIC lines (because the one she has is gradually becoming compromised)...to insert a G tube for feeding.
We will know more in the next few days about these steps but for now we just rest knowing Jesus is LORD.
Chaia still wins when we kneel. I hope you'll continue to join us.
This year it just isn't going to happen. So that means we needed some new traditions.
So, after the Browns flubbed away another one...our friends Jess and Bryan Javorek came to visit Chaia. And they brought this:
So we decorated it. And then Shaina and Chaia and I watched this:
And then our own little elf was pretty wiped.
This is a big week for Chaia.
There are talks of surgical procedures...to replace PIC lines (because the one she has is gradually becoming compromised)...to insert a G tube for feeding.
We will know more in the next few days about these steps but for now we just rest knowing Jesus is LORD.
Chaia still wins when we kneel. I hope you'll continue to join us.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Shadows and Sunshine
Listen to this:
And think on this:
“I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo, as Aldous Huxley envisaged in Brave New World, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. This, of course, is what the Cross signifies. And it is the Cross, more than anything else, that has called me inexorably to Christ.” --Malcolm Muggeridge
Never forget...the Shadows prove the Sunshine.
I'm living proof.
And so is she
And think on this:
“I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo, as Aldous Huxley envisaged in Brave New World, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. This, of course, is what the Cross signifies. And it is the Cross, more than anything else, that has called me inexorably to Christ.” --Malcolm Muggeridge
Never forget...the Shadows prove the Sunshine.
I'm living proof.
And so is she
Hebrews Challenge Chapter 7
Saturday
Hebrews 7:1-28
Jesus is greater than angels. Greater than Moses. Greater than the high priests. And now in chapter 7, he is greater than Melchizedek, who made a rather brief and somewhat strange appearance in Genesis with Abraham.
But through the years, Melchizedek war revered as a mysterious, holy priest, a prefigurement of some God initiated line.
And Jesus is from that line.
And "Such a high priest truly meets our need." (v. 26)
Jesus...meets our need. Truly.
And these days, our need is great.
For salvation.
For forgiveness.
For hope.
For healing.
But above all...
For Christ Himself.
We get Him. That is our reward. That is our purpose. That is all we need.
Hebrews 7:1-28
Jesus is greater than angels. Greater than Moses. Greater than the high priests. And now in chapter 7, he is greater than Melchizedek, who made a rather brief and somewhat strange appearance in Genesis with Abraham.
But through the years, Melchizedek war revered as a mysterious, holy priest, a prefigurement of some God initiated line.
And Jesus is from that line.
And "Such a high priest truly meets our need." (v. 26)
Jesus...meets our need. Truly.
And these days, our need is great.
For salvation.
For forgiveness.
For hope.
For healing.
But above all...
For Christ Himself.
We get Him. That is our reward. That is our purpose. That is all we need.
Friday, November 25, 2011
I Like Hockey.
Well, I'm starting to anyways.
Someone donated a Suite to the Lake Erie Monsters game for tonight. Shaina and I needed a little normalcy so Grandma and Grandpa sat with Chaia and we hooked up with our friends Aaron, Candace, Brett, Mary and Todd. We got to the game and scored the most epic promotional item ever:
Stick on Mustaches.
In honor of Movember...Mustaches to promote prostate health and awareness.
So the Monsters are crushing whoever it was they were playing. And suddenly on the Jumbotron appears Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns shut down cornerback, and one of the cornerstones of the future of the franchise... who is at the game. So, utilizing social media in all its glory, Aaron, or Neal as he is known by those closest to him, tweets to Joe Haden whom he follows on Twitter and says that there are Chicken Fingers waiting for him in Suite 223.
A little later, we had a visitor.
It was awesome to meet him and he's a solid guy. It was funny because he kept introducing himself to each of us "I'm Joe"...No duh man...you're only one of the best cornerbacks in the league in your second season. haha. He didn't take any chicken fingers which is good because he has to lock down A.J. Green on Sunday.
It was a fun night.
And when we got back to the room we found out that Chaia and Stanley the Sock Monkey were campaigning for prostate health too.
Someone donated a Suite to the Lake Erie Monsters game for tonight. Shaina and I needed a little normalcy so Grandma and Grandpa sat with Chaia and we hooked up with our friends Aaron, Candace, Brett, Mary and Todd. We got to the game and scored the most epic promotional item ever:
Stick on Mustaches.
In honor of Movember...Mustaches to promote prostate health and awareness.
So the Monsters are crushing whoever it was they were playing. And suddenly on the Jumbotron appears Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns shut down cornerback, and one of the cornerstones of the future of the franchise... who is at the game. So, utilizing social media in all its glory, Aaron, or Neal as he is known by those closest to him, tweets to Joe Haden whom he follows on Twitter and says that there are Chicken Fingers waiting for him in Suite 223.
A little later, we had a visitor.
It was awesome to meet him and he's a solid guy. It was funny because he kept introducing himself to each of us "I'm Joe"...No duh man...you're only one of the best cornerbacks in the league in your second season. haha. He didn't take any chicken fingers which is good because he has to lock down A.J. Green on Sunday.
It was a fun night.
And when we got back to the room we found out that Chaia and Stanley the Sock Monkey were campaigning for prostate health too.
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Six
Friday
Hebrews 6:1-20
Faith and Works.
For Christians, the Gospel is that Faith alone in Christ alone is what saves. In other words, contrary to many other world religions, where salvation, release, enlightenment, etc are earned through good works, Christians are saved through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Not by our good works...We can't earn it. It has been earned for us.
So some people shudder when they hear "faith and works"...as if there are two things neccessary for rescue. But Hebrews 6 is pretty clear. Land that has been made good, makes good fruit.
Hebrews 6 is suggesting that it should be Faith FOR Works...That yielding our lives to Jesus Christ can't help but change the landscape of the world. It is that yielding that initiates the transformation of the heart ('the land') into something good. And then the natural result of our heart change is fruitfulness.
So...gut check time. Where are the thistles and thorns in your own life and what does it look like for you to yield that area to God to be transformed to good?
Love verse 19..."We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
Hope in Jesus Christ helps us weather storms.
Hebrews 6:1-20
Faith and Works.
For Christians, the Gospel is that Faith alone in Christ alone is what saves. In other words, contrary to many other world religions, where salvation, release, enlightenment, etc are earned through good works, Christians are saved through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. Not by our good works...We can't earn it. It has been earned for us.
So some people shudder when they hear "faith and works"...as if there are two things neccessary for rescue. But Hebrews 6 is pretty clear. Land that has been made good, makes good fruit.
Hebrews 6 is suggesting that it should be Faith FOR Works...That yielding our lives to Jesus Christ can't help but change the landscape of the world. It is that yielding that initiates the transformation of the heart ('the land') into something good. And then the natural result of our heart change is fruitfulness.
So...gut check time. Where are the thistles and thorns in your own life and what does it look like for you to yield that area to God to be transformed to good?
Love verse 19..."We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
Hope in Jesus Christ helps us weather storms.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thompson Family Thanksgiving- 02 Style
It was a good day today. Chaia is stable. They put in an NG tube and are back on feeds for the first time in a week. That means better nutrition and nastier diapers.
I went to Smithville for the 8th Annual Alien Bowl this morning and lived to tell about it. My team took 2nd out of 4...My cousin Steve Franks ended a curse on par with the Chicago Cubs by winning his first Alien Bowl (Congrats!)
Sayre's Food Center in Smithville, who has "Pray for Chaia" on their marquee sign sent us dinner for two, a Thanksgiving dinner with all the staples!
So here is Thanksgiving 2011:
Chaia's first Turkey day wore her out substantially, so she joined her dad in pretending to watch football and passing out for an afternoon Thanksgiving Nap.
Tomorrow Shaina and I are going to go out for the evening and watch the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game. Nothing fans the flames of romance like a bunch of grown men with half the teeth they ought to have, smashing each other for a couple hours.
I went to Smithville for the 8th Annual Alien Bowl this morning and lived to tell about it. My team took 2nd out of 4...My cousin Steve Franks ended a curse on par with the Chicago Cubs by winning his first Alien Bowl (Congrats!)
Sayre's Food Center in Smithville, who has "Pray for Chaia" on their marquee sign sent us dinner for two, a Thanksgiving dinner with all the staples!
So here is Thanksgiving 2011:
Chaia's first Turkey day wore her out substantially, so she joined her dad in pretending to watch football and passing out for an afternoon Thanksgiving Nap.
Tomorrow Shaina and I are going to go out for the evening and watch the Lake Erie Monsters hockey game. Nothing fans the flames of romance like a bunch of grown men with half the teeth they ought to have, smashing each other for a couple hours.
Thankful
Shaina and I were reminiscing about some Thanksgiving memories and I thought I'd share one of our funniest moments from Thanksgiving together.
It was our first Thanksgiving married.
It was like the week before Thanksgiving or something like that and Shaina's workplace gave out turkeys to all its employees. We had plans with the fam for Thanksgiving day, so this turkey was to be our own treat.
Neither of us had ever done anything with turkey other than put it on our plate and eat it. So, there we stood in our hallway...(a.k.a. our kitchen) in our first little apartment.
Step one. Pry our not so feathered friend's legs apart. I don't know if it was that our turkey was partially frozen still or was a particularly modest turkey, but Shaina couldn't get those legs pried open. So, in comes me in all my masculine glory. After several attempts of prying this Herculean bird of war's legs apart with my bare hands and miscellaneous kitchen gadgets, I grabbed a screwdriver and a hammer. Finally, the direct descendant of the pteradactyl fell victim to my Peyton Hillisesque biceps (Its my story.) We had access to the inward parts.
Step two. Reach inside defeated poultry and pull out "the bag". We didn't exactly know what "the bag" was, where it was located or how to remove it. We just knew it was in there and was to be removed. After phone calls to both our moms, I courageously reached in and grasped for this treasure bag of goodies. I found the treasure and excitedly attempted to pull my arm out of the bird's nether-regions. In my excitedness, the bag caught on something inside the turkey. Without contemplating the sturdiness of the bag I was pulling on or considering the sharpness of the object I was pulling against, I pulled harder. Suddenly the resistance stopped and with a surprising amount of force my hand and the sought-after bag came out of the turkey...only the bag was torn. By the time I had stopped the momentum of my arm and the shredded bag, the contents of the bag continued moving and when the dust settled, there on the kitchen/hallway wall behind us, splatted and oozed downward six inches by earth's gravitational pull, stuck the turkey's heart. Other organs landed on the floor...but the heart stayed plastered at eye level on the wall of our kitchen.
Step Three. Clean up the bird organs.
Step Four. Place in oven, cook and enjoy.
*************************
I find myself more aware of gratitude and thankfulness these days.
Thankful for the cross. Thankful for our family. Thankful for you all and the support you've graced us with. Thankful for one more day with Chaia.
Gratitude is a holy attitude.
In 5 Words...what are you thankful for?
Me?
THANKFUL FOR LIFE AND JOY.
It was our first Thanksgiving married.
It was like the week before Thanksgiving or something like that and Shaina's workplace gave out turkeys to all its employees. We had plans with the fam for Thanksgiving day, so this turkey was to be our own treat.
Neither of us had ever done anything with turkey other than put it on our plate and eat it. So, there we stood in our hallway...(a.k.a. our kitchen) in our first little apartment.
Step one. Pry our not so feathered friend's legs apart. I don't know if it was that our turkey was partially frozen still or was a particularly modest turkey, but Shaina couldn't get those legs pried open. So, in comes me in all my masculine glory. After several attempts of prying this Herculean bird of war's legs apart with my bare hands and miscellaneous kitchen gadgets, I grabbed a screwdriver and a hammer. Finally, the direct descendant of the pteradactyl fell victim to my Peyton Hillisesque biceps (Its my story.) We had access to the inward parts.
Step two. Reach inside defeated poultry and pull out "the bag". We didn't exactly know what "the bag" was, where it was located or how to remove it. We just knew it was in there and was to be removed. After phone calls to both our moms, I courageously reached in and grasped for this treasure bag of goodies. I found the treasure and excitedly attempted to pull my arm out of the bird's nether-regions. In my excitedness, the bag caught on something inside the turkey. Without contemplating the sturdiness of the bag I was pulling on or considering the sharpness of the object I was pulling against, I pulled harder. Suddenly the resistance stopped and with a surprising amount of force my hand and the sought-after bag came out of the turkey...only the bag was torn. By the time I had stopped the momentum of my arm and the shredded bag, the contents of the bag continued moving and when the dust settled, there on the kitchen/hallway wall behind us, splatted and oozed downward six inches by earth's gravitational pull, stuck the turkey's heart. Other organs landed on the floor...but the heart stayed plastered at eye level on the wall of our kitchen.
Step Three. Clean up the bird organs.
Step Four. Place in oven, cook and enjoy.
*************************
I find myself more aware of gratitude and thankfulness these days.
Thankful for the cross. Thankful for our family. Thankful for you all and the support you've graced us with. Thankful for one more day with Chaia.
Gratitude is a holy attitude.
In 5 Words...what are you thankful for?
Me?
THANKFUL FOR LIFE AND JOY.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Five
Wednesday
Hebrews 5:1-14
The role of high priest was one that had been initiatied way back in Exodus with Aaron and his sons.
The high priest was the one who offered sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and led the worship of the people. It was a very important position, initiated by God's calling.
Not only was the author of Hebrews demonstrating that Jesus was greater than angels and greater than Moses, but now the author is laying out why Jesus trumps any of the high priests before him.
"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered." (verse 8)
What if there is a direct correlation between the depths of God and suffering?
What if knowing God's mercy and love in thick, life-shattering ways necessitated the agony of a cross?
For Jesus, obedience was costly.
For us, it is no different.
Suffering often plunges us into the depths of God. Why then is our cry for immediate and quick relief? For me, it is because I fear what God might reveal about me, in those vulnerable and intimate spaces. But when God redeems my fear, I discover that suffering allows God to reveal more about Himself.
Do we really believe that His way for our lives, may very well involve a cross?
Hebrews 5:1-14
The role of high priest was one that had been initiatied way back in Exodus with Aaron and his sons.
The high priest was the one who offered sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and led the worship of the people. It was a very important position, initiated by God's calling.
Not only was the author of Hebrews demonstrating that Jesus was greater than angels and greater than Moses, but now the author is laying out why Jesus trumps any of the high priests before him.
"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered." (verse 8)
What if there is a direct correlation between the depths of God and suffering?
What if knowing God's mercy and love in thick, life-shattering ways necessitated the agony of a cross?
For Jesus, obedience was costly.
For us, it is no different.
Suffering often plunges us into the depths of God. Why then is our cry for immediate and quick relief? For me, it is because I fear what God might reveal about me, in those vulnerable and intimate spaces. But when God redeems my fear, I discover that suffering allows God to reveal more about Himself.
Do we really believe that His way for our lives, may very well involve a cross?
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Four
Hebrews 4:1-16
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:13)
This verse is in a passage that is talking about sin/disobedience. My deepest secrets, shame and darkness, are uncovered by His light...every time. That is why the warnings to 'pay careful attention' are so important. Don't get stuck in something less than God's plans and purposes for your life. Or as Andy Stanley puts it in talking about Jacob and Esau from Genesis, "Don't trade your future for a bowl of stew."
But, that verse caught me in a different way too...not only are my sins and secrets unsurprising to God...but everything about me is unsurprising.
My ambitions.
My idols.
My love.
My strength.
My weakness.
My joys.
My mutated gene and my wife's mutated gene, identically matched.
As shocked as we were to hear this diagnosis, God wasn't the least bit befuddled. He wasn't sitting in the Heavens leaning over to Jesus at His right hand saying, "Hmm, that's shocking" or "Oops."
He is, was and always has been aware of Shaina and I's freaky genes getting together and making an absolutely adorable freaky gene kid.
And because Jesus has made a way as our high priest, we get this closing verse that tells us that we have hope.
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Pray this verse for us and for you today.
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." (Hebrews 4:13)
This verse is in a passage that is talking about sin/disobedience. My deepest secrets, shame and darkness, are uncovered by His light...every time. That is why the warnings to 'pay careful attention' are so important. Don't get stuck in something less than God's plans and purposes for your life. Or as Andy Stanley puts it in talking about Jacob and Esau from Genesis, "Don't trade your future for a bowl of stew."
But, that verse caught me in a different way too...not only are my sins and secrets unsurprising to God...but everything about me is unsurprising.
My ambitions.
My idols.
My love.
My strength.
My weakness.
My joys.
My mutated gene and my wife's mutated gene, identically matched.
As shocked as we were to hear this diagnosis, God wasn't the least bit befuddled. He wasn't sitting in the Heavens leaning over to Jesus at His right hand saying, "Hmm, that's shocking" or "Oops."
He is, was and always has been aware of Shaina and I's freaky genes getting together and making an absolutely adorable freaky gene kid.
And because Jesus has made a way as our high priest, we get this closing verse that tells us that we have hope.
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Pray this verse for us and for you today.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Three
Hebrews 3:1-19
Shift.
"Moses was faithful as a servant in God's House. Jesus is faithful as a Son."
It's a pretty powerful assertion.
Not only is Jesus greater than angels (and some would have certainly been enamored with angels...just like many are now)...but Jesus is greater than Moses.
You know...the key figure of the Old Testament narrative? Moses. Jesus is greater.
And the shift the writer points out means everything to us.
Moses was a servant in the household. So if you claimed connection to God through Moses, you could get as close as a servant. Servants were part of the household...but they were secondary. They were subservient to the Master, directed by the Master, used by the Master.
Jesus is a Son in the household. Sons have connection. Relationship. Status. Love. Inheritance. If you claim connection to God through Jesus, your position to God Shifts.
That shift changes everything.
Not just a servant that has a to do list. You're a child of God.
Too many who follow Jesus only get as close to God as a Servant...but we are sons and daughters.
It all comes down to 'do we know Him?'
Shift.
"Moses was faithful as a servant in God's House. Jesus is faithful as a Son."
It's a pretty powerful assertion.
Not only is Jesus greater than angels (and some would have certainly been enamored with angels...just like many are now)...but Jesus is greater than Moses.
You know...the key figure of the Old Testament narrative? Moses. Jesus is greater.
And the shift the writer points out means everything to us.
Moses was a servant in the household. So if you claimed connection to God through Moses, you could get as close as a servant. Servants were part of the household...but they were secondary. They were subservient to the Master, directed by the Master, used by the Master.
Jesus is a Son in the household. Sons have connection. Relationship. Status. Love. Inheritance. If you claim connection to God through Jesus, your position to God Shifts.
That shift changes everything.
Not just a servant that has a to do list. You're a child of God.
Too many who follow Jesus only get as close to God as a Servant...but we are sons and daughters.
It all comes down to 'do we know Him?'
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Bittersweet, Browns and Ballers
So today is a good and sad day. Our friend, Jack and his great family left this morning to head back to Ireland. Jack is doing well and has some rehab ahead of him in Dublin. We like this family a lot and we know many of you have come to like and root for them, so it is bittersweet. I remember the first weekend we were at the Ronald McDonald House (same with them) and I sat down and taught Mick everything about football. And then shortly after that I taught him everything about golf. :-) It's bitter because we have journeyed together through this nightmare. Sweet, because Jack is on the mend.
After saying goodbye to our friends, I met up with 5 buds and we went to the Cleveland Browns game. Apparently someone in the Clinic had Club Seats. They told someone who works on our floor and asked if there were any deserving families of these tickets. (I don't know if they meant deserving of a nice day out or deserving of further suffering.) But the person thought of us (Thanks Andrea!). And so 6 tickets at the 50 yard line in the Club Level...a good game (plus some hilarious peewee action at halftime) and the Browns holding on in a thrilling finish made for a great day.
I came back to the ladies in the hospital and opened up a little gift Jack and his family had given to Chaia.
Chaia is the cutest footballer I've ever seen...But Mick is going to have to educate Chaia on this strange thing called soccer.
Good days are great days these days.
Shaina is better. Grandma Penrod is extubated and already thinking Thanksgiving. Grandma Thompson is still intubated, but responsive. And Jesus is still Lord.
After saying goodbye to our friends, I met up with 5 buds and we went to the Cleveland Browns game. Apparently someone in the Clinic had Club Seats. They told someone who works on our floor and asked if there were any deserving families of these tickets. (I don't know if they meant deserving of a nice day out or deserving of further suffering.) But the person thought of us (Thanks Andrea!). And so 6 tickets at the 50 yard line in the Club Level...a good game (plus some hilarious peewee action at halftime) and the Browns holding on in a thrilling finish made for a great day.
I came back to the ladies in the hospital and opened up a little gift Jack and his family had given to Chaia.
Chaia is the cutest footballer I've ever seen...But Mick is going to have to educate Chaia on this strange thing called soccer.
Good days are great days these days.
Shaina is better. Grandma Penrod is extubated and already thinking Thanksgiving. Grandma Thompson is still intubated, but responsive. And Jesus is still Lord.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Hebrews Challenge Chapter Two
First updates: Grandma Thompson is stable and seems to be doing ok. Took Shaina to get checked out and she has Strep. Some antibiotics and she should be good as new in a couple days. Jack and family are leaving for the airport tomorrow morning and heading home to Ireland. Absolutely bittersweet. Shaina's Grandma Penrod was taken by ambulance to the hospital with fluid on the lungs/respiratory issues. She has been intubated. Chaia is hanging in there. Actually slept the bulk of the day, which was good because she needed to rest after her adventures the last few days. After about three days of fussy, and talks about possible heart failure, I said to Shaina yesterday that I hoped we hadn't seen the last of her smiles. A couple hours later, when it was just me and the bean...she did this:
(Insert jolly weeping here)
Now for day two (Sunday...Hebrews 2)
Hebrews 2:1-18
"14so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
This week has held a lot of hardship and suffering for us. I've started wondering if my family needs to distance themselves from us before something like Job's story sets in.
But with two grandmas and our daughter all in precarious spots this week, I want to hone in on these two verses. We live in a culture that is enslaved by its fear of death. A disease comes along and we deem it unjust and throw money at coming up with a cure. We get angry at God when death comes when we weren't wanting it to.
But what Jesus (remember...the singular focus) does is he sets us free from fear.
For those with this singular focus (who pay careful attention, as the beginning of this chapter states) the cross and resurrection tells us death is defeated, and the enemy's power with it.
Now don't get me wrong.
This is hard. This is sad. This is painful.
But it is not the end.
I do not only believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ...I'm counting on it.
When we align ourselves to Jesus, the grip death has on us is released...because suddenly death doesn't have the final word.
And from where I sit...that is good news.
Now for day two (Sunday...Hebrews 2)
Hebrews 2:1-18
"14so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."
This week has held a lot of hardship and suffering for us. I've started wondering if my family needs to distance themselves from us before something like Job's story sets in.
But with two grandmas and our daughter all in precarious spots this week, I want to hone in on these two verses. We live in a culture that is enslaved by its fear of death. A disease comes along and we deem it unjust and throw money at coming up with a cure. We get angry at God when death comes when we weren't wanting it to.
But what Jesus (remember...the singular focus) does is he sets us free from fear.
For those with this singular focus (who pay careful attention, as the beginning of this chapter states) the cross and resurrection tells us death is defeated, and the enemy's power with it.
Now don't get me wrong.
This is hard. This is sad. This is painful.
But it is not the end.
I do not only believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ...I'm counting on it.
When we align ourselves to Jesus, the grip death has on us is released...because suddenly death doesn't have the final word.
And from where I sit...that is good news.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Hebrews Challenge Chapter One
Check out the Hebrews Challenge Here
Hebrews 1:1-14
I like how the writer of Hebrews cuts straight to the point. In the past, God has spoken in a variety of ways, but now He's speaking through His Son, Jesus.
The writer is announcing to his audience that there is one focus that he is going to hone in on...and that is Jesus. So, what can we learn about Jesus from chapter one?
Heir of all things.
Involved in creation.
The radiance of God's glory. (I love this!)
Exact representation of God.
The sustainer of all things.
Purifies sin.
Sits in authority in Heaven.
Has authority over angels.
---------------------------
What we believe about Jesus, determines how we will live. As some nerds out there might recognize from a movie..."Your focus determines your reality."
The writer of Hebrews suggests that there is a singular focus. And that is Jesus.
The line that grabs my attention is that Jesus is the sustainer of all things.
I've been looking at milrinone...vents...pamidronate as sustainers of life.
But Jesus is better.
That breath you just took. He gave you. That one too. He knows the number of your days. He sustains life.
When my focus is singular, I know my hope is singular as well.
Hebrews 1:1-14
I like how the writer of Hebrews cuts straight to the point. In the past, God has spoken in a variety of ways, but now He's speaking through His Son, Jesus.
The writer is announcing to his audience that there is one focus that he is going to hone in on...and that is Jesus. So, what can we learn about Jesus from chapter one?
Heir of all things.
Involved in creation.
The radiance of God's glory. (I love this!)
Exact representation of God.
The sustainer of all things.
Purifies sin.
Sits in authority in Heaven.
Has authority over angels.
---------------------------
What we believe about Jesus, determines how we will live. As some nerds out there might recognize from a movie..."Your focus determines your reality."
The writer of Hebrews suggests that there is a singular focus. And that is Jesus.
The line that grabs my attention is that Jesus is the sustainer of all things.
I've been looking at milrinone...vents...pamidronate as sustainers of life.
But Jesus is better.
That breath you just took. He gave you. That one too. He knows the number of your days. He sustains life.
When my focus is singular, I know my hope is singular as well.
Another Weekend. Another Challenge.
So we've made it to our 8th straight weekend of hospitalpalooza. Thank you guys for praying us this far. We've had a variety of challenges that you have journeyed with us through.
Here's one to last us a couple weeks.
There are times in this journey where it is really hard to pick up the Bible to find hope. It's not that I don't believe the Bible. It's not that I don't have time for the Bible. It is just that sometimes it feels like it weighs 2000 pounds when I go to pick it up. But I am convinced that God wants to teach me/us. So I'm inviting you to join me in a two week Bible challenge. I'm diving in to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.
Some of you are like, "I've got that book memorized". Others are like "What's a Bible?" So, with that kind've mix, I think we could have a good journey. Reading the Bible might be new for you and that is absolutely fine...just give it a shot for two weeks.
A chapter a day.
I will post on what God is working in my heart for each chapter. And then you all jot down a comment of a word, a phrase, a verse, or a couple sentences of what you got out of reading it.
The goal is that we could get at least 25 comments on what God is teaching us each day for two weeks.
And when its all said and done, we will have read a book of the Bible together. We start tomorrow (Saturday).
Join the movement. Feel free to post your comment/thought/prayer each day on Facebook as well.
Here's one to last us a couple weeks.
There are times in this journey where it is really hard to pick up the Bible to find hope. It's not that I don't believe the Bible. It's not that I don't have time for the Bible. It is just that sometimes it feels like it weighs 2000 pounds when I go to pick it up. But I am convinced that God wants to teach me/us. So I'm inviting you to join me in a two week Bible challenge. I'm diving in to the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.
Some of you are like, "I've got that book memorized". Others are like "What's a Bible?" So, with that kind've mix, I think we could have a good journey. Reading the Bible might be new for you and that is absolutely fine...just give it a shot for two weeks.
A chapter a day.
I will post on what God is working in my heart for each chapter. And then you all jot down a comment of a word, a phrase, a verse, or a couple sentences of what you got out of reading it.
The goal is that we could get at least 25 comments on what God is teaching us each day for two weeks.
And when its all said and done, we will have read a book of the Bible together. We start tomorrow (Saturday).
Join the movement. Feel free to post your comment/thought/prayer each day on Facebook as well.
Prayin' For Chaia Winner
How you get these kids to cooperate for this is beyond me. Did you get ahold of some of Chaia's sedation meds?
Congrats to the Schnees for winning the MOST CREATIVE Category.
Chaia has had a rough 24 hours. She is back on BiPap (think big bird beak with a helmet). They think she might have a virus. Viruses in you or me often just need bed rest, liquids, and some medicine.
Viruses for a little one in heart failure can be a bit more complex.
The hard thing is that her symptoms for a virus look very similar to her symptoms for heart failure.
So, this is a pretty significant step in the wrong direction...But if its not a virus, then we're looking at heart failure. Hard to believe we're rooting for a virus.
The other part of this story is that Shaina is sick (the doctors are suggesting with the same virus). Fever, aches and pains.
So...navigating these waters is tricky.
Will adversity and suffering shape us or crush us?
God has counted us worthy of suffering...So finding ways to delight in His sustaining grace is our task, goal and privilege.
But this delight seems like a violent swim upstream.
Anyone got some water wings?
Or a motor boat?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
ABC remixed.
Chaia's ABC Book is a little different than most little ones' ABC books.
A is for Ativan which is like IV chocolate, soothing my soul.
B is for Boyle, which is the name of the Doctor who is trying to help my heart.
C is for Calcifications which make my vessels lose their elasticity.
D is for Diuril which makes me pee my pants in abundance.
E is for Epinephrine which I haven't had to take for six weeks.
F is for Fentanyl which helps me feel pain free.
G is for Glycerine which makes me poop my pants in abundance.
H is for Heparin which keeps my blood thin to let my heart work less.
I is for Intubation which is what they had to do three times to keep me alive.
J is for Jesus, who is my only hope.
K is for Kisses which are what my grandma gives me and they are great medicine.
L is for Lasix which works alot like Diuril and makes me pee my pants.
M is for Milrinone which helps my blood vessels remain widened so the heart has an easier time.
N is for nurses who play with me and take care of me all day and night.
O is for oxygen which is going in my nose to help my heart.
P is for Pamidronate which is what my body needs to get rid of the calcifications.
Q is for quaque which is Latin and means 'every'. The doctors try to impress me by saying I get my meds 'Q6' instead of 'every six hours'.
R is for retractions which aren't good in my breathing, but sometimes I like to breathe this way just to stress people out.
S is for Stethoscope which the doctors forget to warm up before they put it on my bare skin.
T is for tachypnia which is what I have a lot and means I breathe rapidly.
U is for Urinary Tract Infection which I had one day because some yucky things got in my hoohoo.
V is for Ventilator which is what helped me breathe when my heart was tired.
W is for Withdrawal which is what I go through because I'm a drug addict baby.
X is for X rays which I had to get every morning when I had the breathing tube in.
Y is for Yankauer which is the sucky thing that Grandpa uses to clean out my drool. Sometimes I drool extra just to make Grandpa happy.
Z is for Zebra, which I have on my headband while my mom and dad try to figure out medical terms for every letter of this silly alphabet.
A is for Ativan which is like IV chocolate, soothing my soul.
B is for Boyle, which is the name of the Doctor who is trying to help my heart.
C is for Calcifications which make my vessels lose their elasticity.
D is for Diuril which makes me pee my pants in abundance.
E is for Epinephrine which I haven't had to take for six weeks.
F is for Fentanyl which helps me feel pain free.
G is for Glycerine which makes me poop my pants in abundance.
H is for Heparin which keeps my blood thin to let my heart work less.
I is for Intubation which is what they had to do three times to keep me alive.
J is for Jesus, who is my only hope.
K is for Kisses which are what my grandma gives me and they are great medicine.
L is for Lasix which works alot like Diuril and makes me pee my pants.
M is for Milrinone which helps my blood vessels remain widened so the heart has an easier time.
N is for nurses who play with me and take care of me all day and night.
O is for oxygen which is going in my nose to help my heart.
P is for Pamidronate which is what my body needs to get rid of the calcifications.
Q is for quaque which is Latin and means 'every'. The doctors try to impress me by saying I get my meds 'Q6' instead of 'every six hours'.
R is for retractions which aren't good in my breathing, but sometimes I like to breathe this way just to stress people out.
S is for Stethoscope which the doctors forget to warm up before they put it on my bare skin.
T is for tachypnia which is what I have a lot and means I breathe rapidly.
U is for Urinary Tract Infection which I had one day because some yucky things got in my hoohoo.
V is for Ventilator which is what helped me breathe when my heart was tired.
W is for Withdrawal which is what I go through because I'm a drug addict baby.
X is for X rays which I had to get every morning when I had the breathing tube in.
Y is for Yankauer which is the sucky thing that Grandpa uses to clean out my drool. Sometimes I drool extra just to make Grandpa happy.
Z is for Zebra, which I have on my headband while my mom and dad try to figure out medical terms for every letter of this silly alphabet.
Chaia, Jack and Grandma T.
Chaia: Rough day today. Fussy. Uncomfortable. Not sure if its just a 4 month old's growly day or a 4 month old with heart failure showing a deeper story. I think that dynamic will be present throughout our stewarding of Chaia. Pray that her heart and lungs would rest and have an easier go of it. Pray also for a 'family meeting' we are having tomorrow with all the doctors involved in Chaia's care. This is new and maybe intimidating.
Jack: Jack is out of the hospital after his second operation. He hasn't regained a whole lot of speech yet, but they expected that it would take a couple weeks of therapy to determine where he'll land with that. Nikki, Luke, Alex and Jack head home to Ireland, God-willing, on Sunday. Pray for Jack to be strengthened, renewed and encouraged in rehab in Dublin and pray for his speech to return.
Grandma T. So this is new, but my grandma fell yesterday and was taken to the hospital. She has some bleeding in her head that is causing pressure on the brain that isn't good. Doctors are uncertain about whether to operate, because she is on blood thinners. Pray for peace and comfort for my grandma and for my grandpa as well, as this has to be scary for them both.
So, this isn't the time to grow weary of kneeling.
I read a verse in Hebrews 1 yesterday that is sticking with me. The writer refers to Jesus as the "Sustainer of All Things."
So it's not up to the doctors, nurses or me or Shaina or anyone to determine whether Chaia, Jack, Grandma T, you or me make it until tomorrow. Jesus sustains all things. If he chooses, we get tomorrow.
This will cause fear and terror in some...peace and comfort to others.
The camp we fall in comes down to whether we KNOW the Sustainer or not.
Praying for your peace and comfort tonight.
Jack: Jack is out of the hospital after his second operation. He hasn't regained a whole lot of speech yet, but they expected that it would take a couple weeks of therapy to determine where he'll land with that. Nikki, Luke, Alex and Jack head home to Ireland, God-willing, on Sunday. Pray for Jack to be strengthened, renewed and encouraged in rehab in Dublin and pray for his speech to return.
Grandma T. So this is new, but my grandma fell yesterday and was taken to the hospital. She has some bleeding in her head that is causing pressure on the brain that isn't good. Doctors are uncertain about whether to operate, because she is on blood thinners. Pray for peace and comfort for my grandma and for my grandpa as well, as this has to be scary for them both.
So, this isn't the time to grow weary of kneeling.
I read a verse in Hebrews 1 yesterday that is sticking with me. The writer refers to Jesus as the "Sustainer of All Things."
So it's not up to the doctors, nurses or me or Shaina or anyone to determine whether Chaia, Jack, Grandma T, you or me make it until tomorrow. Jesus sustains all things. If he chooses, we get tomorrow.
This will cause fear and terror in some...peace and comfort to others.
The camp we fall in comes down to whether we KNOW the Sustainer or not.
Praying for your peace and comfort tonight.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Cups and Hearts
Matthew 23:25-28
We were talking last night and the above passage came to mind.
Jesus gives an indictment to the religious leaders. He says that polishing the image...saving face...looking the part of being righteous isn't going to cut it. You can look clean on the outside, but if you're messed up on the inside, it's no good.
Jesus is talking about sin, shame and darkness here. There's no room for hypocrites.
But as with many things these days, my mind turns to Chaia.
She looks great this week. She is pink. She is smiley. She is bright eyed. She is building her neck muscles up. She wiggles like crazy. She coos. And, at least right after her bath, she doesn't smell bad.
But that's the outside of the cup. On the inside Chaia is still very sick. I know there have been lots of positive reports which has been amazing and miraculous. Crushing R2D2, Weaning well and moving to the end of the hall are fantastic things. But, its still not a great prognosis.
Her heart is damaged. Her breathing remains rapid. There is uncertainty to whether she will live apart from meds and pain killers and oxygen. Even if she gets out of the hospital, the next set of questions are whether a growth spurt of an inch here or a pound there will cause her to go into heart failure again. Then there is the disease itself. Will the pamidronate eliminate the calcifications? If not, then her heart, kidneys, liver, brain...they are all in danger of being compromised.
I share all this not to be a debbie downer, but to be honest that there are still very significant risks and unknowns in this journey. While we love the outside of the cup being clean...enjoying laughter together and having a high functioning baby compared to many of the other heart failure patients in the ICU, we are very aware that this can turn on a dime in a moment and the inside of her cup will reveal itself.
And as has been so often the case, Chaia's story is our story.
Whatever you and I let fester in the secret places of our heart. Whatever wickedness, shame, brokeness and sin that we have. It will eventually rear its ugly head. The inside of our cups will always reveal itself on the outside.
And both for Chaia and for us...the work of Jesus to miraculously change us from the inside out is our only hope.
We were talking last night and the above passage came to mind.
Jesus gives an indictment to the religious leaders. He says that polishing the image...saving face...looking the part of being righteous isn't going to cut it. You can look clean on the outside, but if you're messed up on the inside, it's no good.
Jesus is talking about sin, shame and darkness here. There's no room for hypocrites.
But as with many things these days, my mind turns to Chaia.
She looks great this week. She is pink. She is smiley. She is bright eyed. She is building her neck muscles up. She wiggles like crazy. She coos. And, at least right after her bath, she doesn't smell bad.
But that's the outside of the cup. On the inside Chaia is still very sick. I know there have been lots of positive reports which has been amazing and miraculous. Crushing R2D2, Weaning well and moving to the end of the hall are fantastic things. But, its still not a great prognosis.
Her heart is damaged. Her breathing remains rapid. There is uncertainty to whether she will live apart from meds and pain killers and oxygen. Even if she gets out of the hospital, the next set of questions are whether a growth spurt of an inch here or a pound there will cause her to go into heart failure again. Then there is the disease itself. Will the pamidronate eliminate the calcifications? If not, then her heart, kidneys, liver, brain...they are all in danger of being compromised.
I share all this not to be a debbie downer, but to be honest that there are still very significant risks and unknowns in this journey. While we love the outside of the cup being clean...enjoying laughter together and having a high functioning baby compared to many of the other heart failure patients in the ICU, we are very aware that this can turn on a dime in a moment and the inside of her cup will reveal itself.
And as has been so often the case, Chaia's story is our story.
Whatever you and I let fester in the secret places of our heart. Whatever wickedness, shame, brokeness and sin that we have. It will eventually rear its ugly head. The inside of our cups will always reveal itself on the outside.
And both for Chaia and for us...the work of Jesus to miraculously change us from the inside out is our only hope.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
And the Winner Is
Well, we had three categories for competition: 1. Most Creative 2. Most People 3. Furthest Away
So we determined number 2 and 3 and will give you the five finalists for the Most Creative for you to vote on.
2. For the Most People
GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH in Florida. (The NC State photo's authenticity could not be verified).
(Honorable Mention Goes to Sayre's Food Center...because if everyone who drives by that sign prays, then they would be the winner!)
3. For the Farthest Away from Cleveland
If my mapquest investigation is correct, Amsterdam was the longest distance from Cleveland!
(Honorable Mention goes to Clermont, France)
And in the area of MOST CREATIVE...Here are the 5 finalists...You can vote for your favorite by picking A,B,C,D,or E and writing it in the Comments section of this post.
A.
Submitted by Leslie Young in North Carolina
B.
Submitted by the Schnees in North Carolina
C.
Submitted by the Ringers in Wadsworth
D.
Submitted by the Sayres in Smithville
E.
Submitted by the Hardmans in Florida
So we determined number 2 and 3 and will give you the five finalists for the Most Creative for you to vote on.
2. For the Most People
(Honorable Mention Goes to Sayre's Food Center...because if everyone who drives by that sign prays, then they would be the winner!)
3. For the Farthest Away from Cleveland
If my mapquest investigation is correct, Amsterdam was the longest distance from Cleveland!
(Honorable Mention goes to Clermont, France)
And in the area of MOST CREATIVE...Here are the 5 finalists...You can vote for your favorite by picking A,B,C,D,or E and writing it in the Comments section of this post.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Monday, November 14, 2011
50 Days Prayin For Chaia
Thanks for all of you who participated!
Winners to be determined later today. :-)
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Headbands, Spaghetti and Adventureless Days
So yesterday Shaina and I went down the hall at the hospital to get a drink of water.
I came back to find the Warrior Princess defeated...
...by a headband. It wasn't her greatest moment.
Today Shaina and I went back to Wadsworth for worship and to attend a Spaghetti Dinner benefit that some awesome folks from the church put on to raise some money for Chaia.
The rest of the day has been very quiet...and quiet is good.
Monday is a big day. We will release all your work in the Praying For Chaia video and celebrate Chaia's 50th day in the hospital.
Most days I want to curse at the hospital experience because it is hard and sad...and 50 days stinks in one sense but is absolutely beautiful in another. To think that Week 2 began with a bad prognosis and a very, very sick little lady...that makes 50 days pretty significant.
And if it takes 50 more days for God to do this work He is doing, then bring it on.
But if it can be done in 3, I'd take that too.
I came back to find the Warrior Princess defeated...
...by a headband. It wasn't her greatest moment.
Today Shaina and I went back to Wadsworth for worship and to attend a Spaghetti Dinner benefit that some awesome folks from the church put on to raise some money for Chaia.
The rest of the day has been very quiet...and quiet is good.
Monday is a big day. We will release all your work in the Praying For Chaia video and celebrate Chaia's 50th day in the hospital.
Most days I want to curse at the hospital experience because it is hard and sad...and 50 days stinks in one sense but is absolutely beautiful in another. To think that Week 2 began with a bad prognosis and a very, very sick little lady...that makes 50 days pretty significant.
And if it takes 50 more days for God to do this work He is doing, then bring it on.
But if it can be done in 3, I'd take that too.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Abe, Ike and Chaia Part Two
You can read part one here.
Genesis 22:1-19.
Abraham waited 25 years for God to come through on what He said He would do.
Father of a nation...a blessed nation...only problem was Sarah was barren.
Granted he tried to take matters into his own hands a few times...but 25 years later...finally Isaac. Finally the promise could begin to be filled.
And then Genesis 22.
Isaac is a young man by now. Maybe pre-teen or teen. And God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son. Sacrifice the promise. Sacrifice the thing that was 25 years in the making. Sacrifice his future.
I know I have hopes and dreams for Chaia's life. For her future. Some are selfish (like I think she has a legitimate shot at the LPGA if I begin working with her now :-) ) Some are deeply spiritual.
I see Daddy-Daughter Dates. I see me coaching her softball teams. I see us praying every night together. I see her surrendering her life in signficant ways to serve and love God. I see me taking her in my arm down the aisle on her big day and kissing her and handing her off to a man of God. I see so many things big and small of this little life. And I think of the joys of those things coming to fruition. And all I can think is what can be better than this?
And now our future with her is very much unknown and up in the air.
God hears my question: "What can be better than this?" And He answers, "ME."
And what I'm realizing is that God doesn't just want us to offer up our past. He wants us to offer up our future as well. My hopes and dreams for Chaia must never become something that steals my affections from Jesus. That is idolatry.
Abraham had everything he had waited his entire lifetime for. And God leads him to offer it as a sacrifice.
Be sure of this. God wants everything in you to find its satisfaction in Him. Not in ambition. Not in dreams. Not in children. Not in hopes. He is the point. He is the reward. And so if Abraham had to give up Isaac, it was going to be ok because God was worth it.
And if we have to give up Chaia, it is going to be ok because God is worth it.
Now at the last moment, Isaac was spared by God's grace and intervention. Chaia's story remains to unfold. We love her immensely and pray for her healing. But one thing is certain. Our future and her future are in His hands.
We want Chaia. But we want God more.
Abraham's story is our story.
And its your story too.
Do you have more desire for the promises or the Promise Giver?
Genesis 22:1-19.
Abraham waited 25 years for God to come through on what He said He would do.
Father of a nation...a blessed nation...only problem was Sarah was barren.
Granted he tried to take matters into his own hands a few times...but 25 years later...finally Isaac. Finally the promise could begin to be filled.
And then Genesis 22.
Isaac is a young man by now. Maybe pre-teen or teen. And God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son. Sacrifice the promise. Sacrifice the thing that was 25 years in the making. Sacrifice his future.
I know I have hopes and dreams for Chaia's life. For her future. Some are selfish (like I think she has a legitimate shot at the LPGA if I begin working with her now :-) ) Some are deeply spiritual.
I see Daddy-Daughter Dates. I see me coaching her softball teams. I see us praying every night together. I see her surrendering her life in signficant ways to serve and love God. I see me taking her in my arm down the aisle on her big day and kissing her and handing her off to a man of God. I see so many things big and small of this little life. And I think of the joys of those things coming to fruition. And all I can think is what can be better than this?
And now our future with her is very much unknown and up in the air.
God hears my question: "What can be better than this?" And He answers, "ME."
And what I'm realizing is that God doesn't just want us to offer up our past. He wants us to offer up our future as well. My hopes and dreams for Chaia must never become something that steals my affections from Jesus. That is idolatry.
Abraham had everything he had waited his entire lifetime for. And God leads him to offer it as a sacrifice.
Be sure of this. God wants everything in you to find its satisfaction in Him. Not in ambition. Not in dreams. Not in children. Not in hopes. He is the point. He is the reward. And so if Abraham had to give up Isaac, it was going to be ok because God was worth it.
And if we have to give up Chaia, it is going to be ok because God is worth it.
Now at the last moment, Isaac was spared by God's grace and intervention. Chaia's story remains to unfold. We love her immensely and pray for her healing. But one thing is certain. Our future and her future are in His hands.
We want Chaia. But we want God more.
Abraham's story is our story.
And its your story too.
Do you have more desire for the promises or the Promise Giver?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Life in the 0-2.
We moved from 43 room 06 to 43 room 02 (instead of 14).
I think its an upgrade to a suite. We have a bathroom to ourselves. I'm thinking its like we've racked up frequent flyer miles or something and we get some nice perks.
It has been an ok day today. Chaia's number are still ok...She's done a lot over the past few days and so now she gets the weekend to make sure she is effectively weaning.
Don't think for a second that your praying days are done.
She has a long road ahead of her with very few guarantees.
So pray.
And don't forget to get me your PRAYING FOR CHAIA pics by Sunday at the latest!
We are around 75 entries to date so we need 25 more to hit our goal. I hope you can help. Just read here about how to do it.
I think its an upgrade to a suite. We have a bathroom to ourselves. I'm thinking its like we've racked up frequent flyer miles or something and we get some nice perks.
It has been an ok day today. Chaia's number are still ok...She's done a lot over the past few days and so now she gets the weekend to make sure she is effectively weaning.
Don't think for a second that your praying days are done.
She has a long road ahead of her with very few guarantees.
So pray.
And don't forget to get me your PRAYING FOR CHAIA pics by Sunday at the latest!
We are around 75 entries to date so we need 25 more to hit our goal. I hope you can help. Just read here about how to do it.
Birthdays, Big Rats and some fun.
So Jack had his surgery yesterday and he is responsive which is good. Keep praying for him.
Jack's dad Mick and his older sister and Nana (grandma) all had gone back to Ireland earlier in the week before another surgery was in the works.
So its Jack's mom, Jack and Luke and Alex, his two younger siblings. And the plan is for the four of them to hang out in the ICU for the next 5 nights.
So, we decided to let Jack and his mom get settled in.
And we took Alex and Luke and met up with our friends at some rodent infested joint to celebrate Alex's 7th birthday.
Happy Birthday Alex and thanks to Sharon, Jay and Brandie for joining us for some good fun!
Jack's dad Mick and his older sister and Nana (grandma) all had gone back to Ireland earlier in the week before another surgery was in the works.
So its Jack's mom, Jack and Luke and Alex, his two younger siblings. And the plan is for the four of them to hang out in the ICU for the next 5 nights.
So, we decided to let Jack and his mom get settled in.
And we took Alex and Luke and met up with our friends at some rodent infested joint to celebrate Alex's 7th birthday.
Happy Birthday Alex and thanks to Sharon, Jay and Brandie for joining us for some good fun!
David 27
Some good developments for Miss Chaia over the last few days.
She has been a really big 'weaner' this week.
She is off the Hi Flo! So she has a normal O2 Canula on at 30%! She's doing the bulk of breathing on her own.
Her echo yesterday didn't show much in way of changes. This is good because it is showing that her heart is handling feeds, breathing and less sedation without further damage.
She is on lower doses of Fentanyl, Milrinone and Adavan.
She is off Versed! One of the primary sedation/pain killing meds has been eliminated.
They have deemed Chaia improved enough to not have to be next to the nurse's station (which is where the more at risk patients are on the ICU floor). That's the good news.
The bad news is that our room, room 06...the one that is decorated like nothing the director of nursing has seen in 30 years...the one that has all your cards, posters and Scripture plastered all over the walls...is not our room any more.
We are heading to the end of the hall...Room 14.
But first we need a U-Haul.
She has been a really big 'weaner' this week.
She is off the Hi Flo! So she has a normal O2 Canula on at 30%! She's doing the bulk of breathing on her own.
Her echo yesterday didn't show much in way of changes. This is good because it is showing that her heart is handling feeds, breathing and less sedation without further damage.
She is on lower doses of Fentanyl, Milrinone and Adavan.
She is off Versed! One of the primary sedation/pain killing meds has been eliminated.
They have deemed Chaia improved enough to not have to be next to the nurse's station (which is where the more at risk patients are on the ICU floor). That's the good news.
The bad news is that our room, room 06...the one that is decorated like nothing the director of nursing has seen in 30 years...the one that has all your cards, posters and Scripture plastered all over the walls...is not our room any more.
We are heading to the end of the hall...Room 14.
But first we need a U-Haul.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Rally One More Time
Jack has had some adventures this week and I'm asking you guys for prayer one more time.
He had a few seizures since his last surgery and at the follow up appointment, they determined they need to go in again.
Another brain surgery tomorrow at 11. From what we understand, the doctors are saying its a 50-50 chance for him to maintain his speech.
I know you guys are pullin' for him as are we.
So I'm askin' that you pray with all you've got for Jack, and the Kelly family tomorrow at 11.
I don't mean think happy thoughts...or wishful thinking...I mean boldly ask God to do what only He can do...bring healing and hope.
He had a few seizures since his last surgery and at the follow up appointment, they determined they need to go in again.
Another brain surgery tomorrow at 11. From what we understand, the doctors are saying its a 50-50 chance for him to maintain his speech.
I know you guys are pullin' for him as are we.
So I'm askin' that you pray with all you've got for Jack, and the Kelly family tomorrow at 11.
I don't mean think happy thoughts...or wishful thinking...I mean boldly ask God to do what only He can do...bring healing and hope.
The Cleveland Clinic Caper
Jack got some support a few weeks back about the same time as I had requested that you mustard revolutionaries send some cards and encouragement his way.
He received this photo, signed and everything.
The mystery is, that the Irish don't recognize him.
And I don't recognize him.
So maybe you recognize him.
Or maybe you are him.
So if you're able to help solve this caper, let us know.
If you are him and you're not famous...its kinda creepy.
Insert your solution (or your funny caption)in the comment section and help us solve the Cleveland Clinic Caper.
He received this photo, signed and everything.
The mystery is, that the Irish don't recognize him.
And I don't recognize him.
So maybe you recognize him.
Or maybe you are him.
So if you're able to help solve this caper, let us know.
If you are him and you're not famous...its kinda creepy.
Insert your solution (or your funny caption)in the comment section and help us solve the Cleveland Clinic Caper.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Abe, Ike and Chaia Part One
So, Genesis.
God makes things. Things are great. Then things go bad. Then God starts over with a few things and those things go bad. Then, God starts over with one.
Genesis 12:1-3.
Abraham. Called to leave his family. His homeland. His gods.
God calls him to offer up his past. Everything about him. Everything familiar. Everything that is safe. 75 years of one way of life, God says its time for a new direction.
And Abraham goes...He's not even sure he knows where he is going...He just goes...Because the one He is going after told him to.
Most of you know Chaia's journey, but you may be less familiar with the Abraham journey God has us on as a family.
We made this announcement to our church family on Sunday, September 11.
On September 18 we went down to Columbus to spend a week doing reconnaissance for our move in January. We were going to the land that God had shown us. We were sacrificing our past...our comfort...our familiar surroundings...our families.
If you keep reading in Genesis 12, God's promise to Abraham is quickly followed by a road of obstacles, danger and trial that made it unclear if God's call would work out or fail.
The week of September 18, while we were in Columbus, Chaia began showing symptoms of something being wrong.
The parallels are intriguing.
I'm not saying I'm fathering a nation.
But I am saying that God has called us to start something new. And where God wants to start something new, the battle rages fiercest.
Do you think that the Enemy of God desires new movements of God to be launched?
Simultaneously, do you think God wants untested, unshaped, unmolded leaders leading new movements of God? (Keep reading about Abraham in Genesis and see how long it took for the Promise to be fulfilled in his life. Testing, shaping and molding are prerequisite to countless bible leaders/heroes.)
Be sure of one thing...God wants you to offer up your past. Everything you've known and lived and loved. Offer it up to Him. He may call you to sacrifice it. He may not. But He is for sure calling you to offer it up.
And rest assured...doing so will cost you dearly.
But avoiding obedience will cost you even more.
It's time to count the cost.
God makes things. Things are great. Then things go bad. Then God starts over with a few things and those things go bad. Then, God starts over with one.
Genesis 12:1-3.
Abraham. Called to leave his family. His homeland. His gods.
God calls him to offer up his past. Everything about him. Everything familiar. Everything that is safe. 75 years of one way of life, God says its time for a new direction.
And Abraham goes...He's not even sure he knows where he is going...He just goes...Because the one He is going after told him to.
Most of you know Chaia's journey, but you may be less familiar with the Abraham journey God has us on as a family.
We made this announcement to our church family on Sunday, September 11.
On September 18 we went down to Columbus to spend a week doing reconnaissance for our move in January. We were going to the land that God had shown us. We were sacrificing our past...our comfort...our familiar surroundings...our families.
If you keep reading in Genesis 12, God's promise to Abraham is quickly followed by a road of obstacles, danger and trial that made it unclear if God's call would work out or fail.
The week of September 18, while we were in Columbus, Chaia began showing symptoms of something being wrong.
The parallels are intriguing.
I'm not saying I'm fathering a nation.
But I am saying that God has called us to start something new. And where God wants to start something new, the battle rages fiercest.
Do you think that the Enemy of God desires new movements of God to be launched?
Simultaneously, do you think God wants untested, unshaped, unmolded leaders leading new movements of God? (Keep reading about Abraham in Genesis and see how long it took for the Promise to be fulfilled in his life. Testing, shaping and molding are prerequisite to countless bible leaders/heroes.)
Be sure of one thing...God wants you to offer up your past. Everything you've known and lived and loved. Offer it up to Him. He may call you to sacrifice it. He may not. But He is for sure calling you to offer it up.
And rest assured...doing so will cost you dearly.
But avoiding obedience will cost you even more.
It's time to count the cost.
Prayers for Jack this Morning
Jack goes in at 10 a.m. for his follow up appointment. He has been doing ok but this is obviously a big appointment in determining how successful the surgery was and what their next steps are.
Praying for Jack this morning!
Praying for Jack this morning!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Does God want His Children to Suffer?
This article from Geoff Ashley at the Village Church in Texas is helpful in answering this question. Read John 11 and then read this article. It will help your faith and it will ready your heart for the hard things you may need to endure.
Does God Want His Children to Suffer?
Simple answers to complex questions are simply unhelpful.
No one answers the question, “Does God want His children to suffer?” with an unqualified “yes,” but unfortunately many do with a comprehensive “no.” Many state emphatically that God does not want His children to suffer as if that fully answers the question. But half-truths are half-untruths.
What Do We Mean by “Want?”
“Want” is a difficult concept. Do we want to exercise and eat healthy? Do we want to go to the dentist? Do we want to discipline our children? Do we want to drive the speed limit? Do we want to pay taxes, go to work or always do the right thing? If we have a simple understanding of the term “want,” we have a simple answer to the question, but sometimes simple is insufficient.
I don’t enjoy the inherent act of exercise, and I doubt you take pleasure in the act of discipline. I want to drive the speed limit for a number of reasons (I want to be obedient to authority, and I don’t want to endanger myself or others), but not because I love driving 40 mph. I want to drive 40, but I don’t want to drive 40. Though we may not enjoy every aspect of actions, we still do them because we want what is produced by them. We exercise, eat and discipline our children for the sake of something greater, and in that we take pleasure. We desire it. We will it. We want it.
Why Suffering Is “Wanted”
Acknowledging the complexity of our desires provides insight into how to answer the question, “Does God want His children to suffer?” Does He take pleasure in our pain? Of course not! Does He ordain and employ it for the sake of what He does find pleasurable? Absolutely! God does not want His children to suffer in the first sense of the word, but He does in the second sense. The same word is being used, but the connotation is radically different. God wants His children to suffer, but He does not want His children to suffer. God wants His children to suffer because He loves what is accomplished through it – our happiness and holiness in Christ.
Suffering is not an end in itself. The suffering that His children experience in this world is not ultimate. In fact, Paul says that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18) and calls it “slight momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is coming from a man who was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, bitten by a viper, lashed, bound, imprisoned and eventually beheaded for the sake of the gospel.
Suffering, trials, tribulations, hardships, pain and persecution are not ultimate. They are tools in the hand of a wise, compassionate, sovereign and skillful surgeon. They are used by God to produce that of inestimable value in us: steadfastness (James 1:2-3), endurance, character, hope (Romans 5:3-4), holiness, righteousness (Hebrews 12:3-11), praise, glory and honor (1 Peter 1:6-7). God wants these things for us and thus wants that which brings them about.
The Will of God and Suffering in John 11
John 11:1-44 is an interesting passage to observe in relation to this truth. John recounts the death of Lazarus and the response of Jesus. I am always struck by the complex beauty of the first word of verse six, “so” or “therefore.”1 As verse five states, Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus and “so/therefore” He delayed. What was the result of this delay? Lazarus’ death. That sounds unloving on the surface. We think the text should read, “Jesus loved them, so He hurried to them,” but instead of hastening to help, He waited. Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died because He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. His delay does not disprove His love; instead, it demonstrates greater depths of it.
Even more startling are the words of Christ in verse 15. After confirming that Lazarus died, He stated, “I am glad I was not there.” The phrase “I am glad” is a translation of the Greek word χαίρω (chairo), which is elsewhere rendered rejoice, delight or take pleasure in. Christ is saying, “I rejoice that I was not there” or “I am pleased that I was not there.” Christ delighted in a delay that allowed a death and brought about such distress? He did this because He loved the one who died and those who wept?
A short and simple answer simply won’t cut it here. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, His disciples and Lazarus so much that He delayed, allowing Lazarus to die. He then rejoiced in the fact that He was not there to prevent it. Did Jesus then want Lazarus to die? In some sense, we have to say yes to take the text seriously. Jesus wanted Lazarus to die and Mary and Martha to experience great sorrow.
Why would Jesus want Lazarus to die? He is not murderous or cruel. Jesus does not take pleasure in suffering itself. Though the event was not pleasing, what it produced was profoundly pleasing to Him! He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus and desired their good. He valued something more than He valued their not experiencing pain and suffering. What then did He value?
There are two ways to answer this question, and they are inseparable. The first is found in verse 15: “I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” Christ’s delay was for the faith of those He loved. Faith pleases Christ (Hebrews 11:6), and Christ is pleased with the instrument used to prompt faith, even if the tool is not inherently pleasing.
But this is not the only way to answer the question. The other way is to consider what He always holds as most valuable. We know that He always delights most deeply in the glory of the triune God. Verse four states this explicitly: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Christ valued glory and thus delayed so that Lazarus would die.
One way of answering the question, “Why did Christ delay?” is to conclude that He delayed to promote the faith of His beloved. Another way is to say that He delayed for the sake of His own and the Father’s glory. But these answers are not distinct. They are inseparably connected. Verse 40 helps us see this connection more clearly: “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Faith sees and embraces the glory of God and further expresses this glory. God is glorified when we trust in Him.
This helps us see why God wants His children to suffer. He wants us to suffer so that we might lean more upon Him and seek Him as our refuge and hope. In this we are satisfied, and He is glorified. As we find our contentment in Him alone, especially in suffering, God becomes a greater treasure to us. He does not want us to suffer except insofar as it is used by Him for our joy which He desperately wants.
Conclusion
Sometimes God is glorified by removing the pain (John 11), but sometimes He is glorified by sustaining through the pain (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). We must embrace both perspectives, not one or the other. Sometimes our faith is increased by seeing the blind healed and dead raised, and sometimes it is sustained through His daily provision in the midst of the desert, death, blindness, floods and famine. God’s goodness, sovereignty and love do not prove that His children will not suffer, but that they will overcome, persevere and endure. God does not promise that we will not suffer, but that suffering will not separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).
Does God want His children to suffer? It depends on what you are asking. Does He enjoy our pain? Of course not! But does He enjoy what is accomplished through it, namely our eternal joy and His infinite glory? Of course! To Him be the glory.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5–11
Geoff Ashley
The Village Church
Does God Want His Children to Suffer?
Simple answers to complex questions are simply unhelpful.
No one answers the question, “Does God want His children to suffer?” with an unqualified “yes,” but unfortunately many do with a comprehensive “no.” Many state emphatically that God does not want His children to suffer as if that fully answers the question. But half-truths are half-untruths.
What Do We Mean by “Want?”
“Want” is a difficult concept. Do we want to exercise and eat healthy? Do we want to go to the dentist? Do we want to discipline our children? Do we want to drive the speed limit? Do we want to pay taxes, go to work or always do the right thing? If we have a simple understanding of the term “want,” we have a simple answer to the question, but sometimes simple is insufficient.
I don’t enjoy the inherent act of exercise, and I doubt you take pleasure in the act of discipline. I want to drive the speed limit for a number of reasons (I want to be obedient to authority, and I don’t want to endanger myself or others), but not because I love driving 40 mph. I want to drive 40, but I don’t want to drive 40. Though we may not enjoy every aspect of actions, we still do them because we want what is produced by them. We exercise, eat and discipline our children for the sake of something greater, and in that we take pleasure. We desire it. We will it. We want it.
Why Suffering Is “Wanted”
Acknowledging the complexity of our desires provides insight into how to answer the question, “Does God want His children to suffer?” Does He take pleasure in our pain? Of course not! Does He ordain and employ it for the sake of what He does find pleasurable? Absolutely! God does not want His children to suffer in the first sense of the word, but He does in the second sense. The same word is being used, but the connotation is radically different. God wants His children to suffer, but He does not want His children to suffer. God wants His children to suffer because He loves what is accomplished through it – our happiness and holiness in Christ.
Suffering is not an end in itself. The suffering that His children experience in this world is not ultimate. In fact, Paul says that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18) and calls it “slight momentary affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is coming from a man who was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, bitten by a viper, lashed, bound, imprisoned and eventually beheaded for the sake of the gospel.
Suffering, trials, tribulations, hardships, pain and persecution are not ultimate. They are tools in the hand of a wise, compassionate, sovereign and skillful surgeon. They are used by God to produce that of inestimable value in us: steadfastness (James 1:2-3), endurance, character, hope (Romans 5:3-4), holiness, righteousness (Hebrews 12:3-11), praise, glory and honor (1 Peter 1:6-7). God wants these things for us and thus wants that which brings them about.
The Will of God and Suffering in John 11
John 11:1-44 is an interesting passage to observe in relation to this truth. John recounts the death of Lazarus and the response of Jesus. I am always struck by the complex beauty of the first word of verse six, “so” or “therefore.”1 As verse five states, Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus and “so/therefore” He delayed. What was the result of this delay? Lazarus’ death. That sounds unloving on the surface. We think the text should read, “Jesus loved them, so He hurried to them,” but instead of hastening to help, He waited. Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died because He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus. His delay does not disprove His love; instead, it demonstrates greater depths of it.
Even more startling are the words of Christ in verse 15. After confirming that Lazarus died, He stated, “I am glad I was not there.” The phrase “I am glad” is a translation of the Greek word χαίρω (chairo), which is elsewhere rendered rejoice, delight or take pleasure in. Christ is saying, “I rejoice that I was not there” or “I am pleased that I was not there.” Christ delighted in a delay that allowed a death and brought about such distress? He did this because He loved the one who died and those who wept?
A short and simple answer simply won’t cut it here. Jesus loved Mary, Martha, His disciples and Lazarus so much that He delayed, allowing Lazarus to die. He then rejoiced in the fact that He was not there to prevent it. Did Jesus then want Lazarus to die? In some sense, we have to say yes to take the text seriously. Jesus wanted Lazarus to die and Mary and Martha to experience great sorrow.
Why would Jesus want Lazarus to die? He is not murderous or cruel. Jesus does not take pleasure in suffering itself. Though the event was not pleasing, what it produced was profoundly pleasing to Him! He loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus and desired their good. He valued something more than He valued their not experiencing pain and suffering. What then did He value?
There are two ways to answer this question, and they are inseparable. The first is found in verse 15: “I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” Christ’s delay was for the faith of those He loved. Faith pleases Christ (Hebrews 11:6), and Christ is pleased with the instrument used to prompt faith, even if the tool is not inherently pleasing.
But this is not the only way to answer the question. The other way is to consider what He always holds as most valuable. We know that He always delights most deeply in the glory of the triune God. Verse four states this explicitly: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Christ valued glory and thus delayed so that Lazarus would die.
One way of answering the question, “Why did Christ delay?” is to conclude that He delayed to promote the faith of His beloved. Another way is to say that He delayed for the sake of His own and the Father’s glory. But these answers are not distinct. They are inseparably connected. Verse 40 helps us see this connection more clearly: “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Faith sees and embraces the glory of God and further expresses this glory. God is glorified when we trust in Him.
This helps us see why God wants His children to suffer. He wants us to suffer so that we might lean more upon Him and seek Him as our refuge and hope. In this we are satisfied, and He is glorified. As we find our contentment in Him alone, especially in suffering, God becomes a greater treasure to us. He does not want us to suffer except insofar as it is used by Him for our joy which He desperately wants.
Conclusion
Sometimes God is glorified by removing the pain (John 11), but sometimes He is glorified by sustaining through the pain (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). We must embrace both perspectives, not one or the other. Sometimes our faith is increased by seeing the blind healed and dead raised, and sometimes it is sustained through His daily provision in the midst of the desert, death, blindness, floods and famine. God’s goodness, sovereignty and love do not prove that His children will not suffer, but that they will overcome, persevere and endure. God does not promise that we will not suffer, but that suffering will not separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39).
Does God want His children to suffer? It depends on what you are asking. Does He enjoy our pain? Of course not! But does He enjoy what is accomplished through it, namely our eternal joy and His infinite glory? Of course! To Him be the glory.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:5–11
Geoff Ashley
The Village Church
David 2...Goliath ?
The Vent/CPAP/BiPAP machine (affectionately known as R2D2) is not even on standby now. It has been removed from Chaia's room altogether.
This is a good step.
We like good steps.
Feeding Tube put in today as well. Pray that she responds well and that her breathing is not inhibited by the tube in her nose.
Hi-Flo is down from 6 liters to 5.
Milrinone is down from .7 to .6.
We like good steps.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Trust Him More. Love Her Less.
Well it is about 12:30 a.m. Monday morning and we are just getting back from the hospital where Chaia was resting well. She is to go all night without CPAP...which will make 24 hours of Hi-Flo oxygen with Chaia doing all the breathing herself. Then we will assess next steps.
There are talks of big steps this week.
Weaning Hi-Flo.
Weaning Milrinone (the blood pressure/heart medicine).
Beginning Feeds (either through the nose or via bottle).
Moving from Heparin to Cumadin.
Each step gives us both a sense of excited anticipation and a sense of fear in the unknown.
Each step in small or big ways can move us toward life or toward death.
And even though we have committed since day one of pregnancy to place Chaia on the altar as an offering back to God, to leverage her life for His glory, the temptation in my heart is to step in and take back the offering.
This week we have to channel our inner-Abraham and trust God more than we love Chaia.
Pray for this in us.
I'm going to put a few posts up over the next week specifically on the example of Abraham, so stay tuned for those. Also, keep sending the "Prayin' For Chaia" pictures in. You guys are awesome. We have about 50 entries in so far and you have through this coming weekend to get your pics in and I will show you what we got next Monday.
God wants you to trust Him more than you love ________ this week.
The hardest step might be filling in the blank.
There are talks of big steps this week.
Weaning Hi-Flo.
Weaning Milrinone (the blood pressure/heart medicine).
Beginning Feeds (either through the nose or via bottle).
Moving from Heparin to Cumadin.
Each step gives us both a sense of excited anticipation and a sense of fear in the unknown.
Each step in small or big ways can move us toward life or toward death.
And even though we have committed since day one of pregnancy to place Chaia on the altar as an offering back to God, to leverage her life for His glory, the temptation in my heart is to step in and take back the offering.
This week we have to channel our inner-Abraham and trust God more than we love Chaia.
Pray for this in us.
I'm going to put a few posts up over the next week specifically on the example of Abraham, so stay tuned for those. Also, keep sending the "Prayin' For Chaia" pictures in. You guys are awesome. We have about 50 entries in so far and you have through this coming weekend to get your pics in and I will show you what we got next Monday.
God wants you to trust Him more than you love ________ this week.
The hardest step might be filling in the blank.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Easter People
First...updates.
Chaia is incredible. She was on Hi-Flo all day today until midnight. Will be on CPAP overnight, then we will try Hi-Flo for 24 hours and see where she is at. No fevers. No withdrawls. No complications.
If Chaia is incredible, then Jack is smashing. His brain surgery on Monday went well and as many of you prayed, his speech remains in tact. He got discharged from the hospital today! Has a follow up appointment in a few days and if all is good, he's heading back to Ireland next weekend!
We will keep this Praying for Chaia competition going for a week. It is pretty neat, some of the unexpected ones we've received so far! But we are at around 20...so some of you need to get crackin!
**************************
Next. If you are a Christian, Sundays are known as 'mini-Easters'...a time that the people of God gather and celebrate that Christ is risen from the dead and this victory over sin changes history and changes our lives.
So I want you to worship like this is the case. Many of you scored an extra hour of sleep last night so you should be rarin' to go.
Give Worship all you have because God has demonstrated He is worthy in every moment of your day. In victory, He sustains you. In sorrow, He comforts you.
So today is the day...
To Lift High His Name.
To Sing Loud His Praise.
To Eat Richly His Word.
To Drink Deeply His Presence.
To Connect Meaningfully with His People.
Today is the day to go after Worship with everything you have in you. Because He is the God of Resurrection.
And Resurrection tells us the worst thing is never the last thing.
Chaia is incredible. She was on Hi-Flo all day today until midnight. Will be on CPAP overnight, then we will try Hi-Flo for 24 hours and see where she is at. No fevers. No withdrawls. No complications.
If Chaia is incredible, then Jack is smashing. His brain surgery on Monday went well and as many of you prayed, his speech remains in tact. He got discharged from the hospital today! Has a follow up appointment in a few days and if all is good, he's heading back to Ireland next weekend!
We will keep this Praying for Chaia competition going for a week. It is pretty neat, some of the unexpected ones we've received so far! But we are at around 20...so some of you need to get crackin!
**************************
Next. If you are a Christian, Sundays are known as 'mini-Easters'...a time that the people of God gather and celebrate that Christ is risen from the dead and this victory over sin changes history and changes our lives.
So I want you to worship like this is the case. Many of you scored an extra hour of sleep last night so you should be rarin' to go.
Give Worship all you have because God has demonstrated He is worthy in every moment of your day. In victory, He sustains you. In sorrow, He comforts you.
So today is the day...
To Lift High His Name.
To Sing Loud His Praise.
To Eat Richly His Word.
To Drink Deeply His Presence.
To Connect Meaningfully with His People.
Today is the day to go after Worship with everything you have in you. Because He is the God of Resurrection.
And Resurrection tells us the worst thing is never the last thing.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Prayin' For Chaia
So, just to clarify...make a little sign that says "Prayin' For Chaia" and take a picture of you, your family, your Bible Study, your Church, your dorm, your sports team, etc, etc.
Awards will be given for
1. Most Creative Entry
2. Largest Number of People Involved
3. Furthest Away from Cleveland
Good Luck. You have the weekend.
Upload them on facebook or send them by email (thompson14b@gmail.com)
Photoshoot
Chaia has had an incredible day.
First the medical side: She was on CPAP with a plan to give her an hour off the CPAP on Hi-flo oxygen to see how her body would respond. They began that process at 11 a.m. and it is now 5 p.m. and she is still on the Hi-flo...the doctors are so pleased that they are going to let her stay on the Hi-Flo the rest of the day and then think about CPAP for overnight!
Second the photoshoot: So Sarah Ishler, who we met this morning caught wind of the blog from someone else we don't know...who got it from someone else who we don't know from someone we do know...who knows Kevin Bacon (kidding)...is a photographer. She connected with us and said she'd like to capture Chaia's journey for us through her lens. Her business is called Sarah Marie Photography and I couldn't recommed her any more highly...and we've only seen two pictures so far!
We will post more in the next few weeks.
Thanks to Sarah and her husband Kevin for making a day that is already worth celebrating that much better.
First the medical side: She was on CPAP with a plan to give her an hour off the CPAP on Hi-flo oxygen to see how her body would respond. They began that process at 11 a.m. and it is now 5 p.m. and she is still on the Hi-flo...the doctors are so pleased that they are going to let her stay on the Hi-Flo the rest of the day and then think about CPAP for overnight!
Second the photoshoot: So Sarah Ishler, who we met this morning caught wind of the blog from someone else we don't know...who got it from someone else who we don't know from someone we do know...who knows Kevin Bacon (kidding)...is a photographer. She connected with us and said she'd like to capture Chaia's journey for us through her lens. Her business is called Sarah Marie Photography and I couldn't recommed her any more highly...and we've only seen two pictures so far!
We will post more in the next few weeks.
Thanks to Sarah and her husband Kevin for making a day that is already worth celebrating that much better.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Mama's Heart
I never knew I could love so much, until the day I felt your touch...
What an amazing thing it is to be a mother. You dream of it growing up. You plan for it and imagine what it's like. Then they come and it is everything and at the same time nothing you thought it would be. The joy, the love and yes, the hormones! It's almost unexplainable this love, this new love. Amazing! Nothing prepares you for it. It takes your breath away. The small cries, the soft skin, the little features, the warmth of this little bundle nestled into you. Who would have thought something so special could belong to you? You soon realize that they don't. They don't belong to you at all.
I can remember the day we found out we were going to have a baby. I prayed that very day that the Lord would use him or her for His glory. I remember the night she was born. I prayed that the Lord would use her for His glory. I remember the first night home. I prayed that the Lord would use her for His glory. Every night as I would rock this sweet child to sleep, kiss her on the top of her head full of hair, rub my cheek against hers, and then ever so gently lay her down, I asked the Lord to take her and use her as He saw fit. Little did I know that He had some big plans for her!
I hope you don't mind that I am hijacking Ben's blog to share my heart with you tonight. What a mess of emotions a mother's heart has through this! I never thought there would ever be a time where someone looked me in the eyes and told me I couldn't hold my baby. What feelings go through your heart and soul as you watch helplessly! Fear, sadness, worry, uncertainty, yet...hope. Hope in God. Hope in a God that has offered peace, joy and rest in a time of trial. Hope in a God who is holding my baby in His arms even though I can't. Hope in a God that has crushed death and promises eternity to all who would bow humbly before Him with all that they are!
That's the beauty of this whole thing! Death has been crushed and our Chaia Joy has that on her side! There is no abnormal DNA that God didn't know about! There is no calcification He isn't able to dissolve! There isn't any heart He is not able to fully restore! So no matter what each day brings...good or bad...I will continue to pray that same prayer. Through the tears, the many many tears, and through the smiles and laughter, I will remember to pray that same prayer...She is YOURS. Bring YOUR name glory.
Life is ours for the taking, but what will we choose? This short, brief moment here on Earth, or an eternity with our Father in Heaven? You see, Chaia is not mine. I am her mother yes, but her Heavenly Father has big plans for her. Maybe here with us, but maybe there with Him. Time will tell, but until then...Lord, she is yours. Chaia, we love you little girl, and Lord, we love you more!
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Even the Rock (stars) will cry out.
Chaia Warrior Princess Thompson is a rockstar. I've known this. You've known this. And now Gungor, who are in their own right rockstars, know this as well.
Gungor has been one of Shaina and I's favorite bands for the past couple of years. They have combined musicality with theology in a way that our ears and heart haven't experienced. We downloaded their new album in Columbus a few days before Chaia began crashing.
Ghosts upon the Earth is their new album and song after song has spoken to our hearts through this valley. "When Death Dies" "This is Not the End" "Vous Etes Mon Couer" (You are my heart) "Every Breath". We've found hope and the words of faith that we needed to endure day by day.
And now they are pulling for Chaia as well.
Our friend Courtney Schnee in North Carolina managed to pull this off as they are on tour, stopped in Charlotte. She did not get arrested as far as I know. She even got them to put on Browns and OSU hats.
Thanks to Gungor for doing this for Chaia...If you're interested in an impromptu PICU ward concert in Cleveland Clinic, you are welcome here any time!
I'll leave you with a couple of our favorites.
Gungor has been one of Shaina and I's favorite bands for the past couple of years. They have combined musicality with theology in a way that our ears and heart haven't experienced. We downloaded their new album in Columbus a few days before Chaia began crashing.
Ghosts upon the Earth is their new album and song after song has spoken to our hearts through this valley. "When Death Dies" "This is Not the End" "Vous Etes Mon Couer" (You are my heart) "Every Breath". We've found hope and the words of faith that we needed to endure day by day.
And now they are pulling for Chaia as well.
Our friend Courtney Schnee in North Carolina managed to pull this off as they are on tour, stopped in Charlotte. She did not get arrested as far as I know. She even got them to put on Browns and OSU hats.
Thanks to Gungor for doing this for Chaia...If you're interested in an impromptu PICU ward concert in Cleveland Clinic, you are welcome here any time!
I'll leave you with a couple of our favorites.
Updates.and 10 Second Dance Parties
Psalm 30:5
"For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Yesterday Chaia's heart rate spiked to over 200. She's fighting a fever. They aren't sure if she is in withdrawal from weaning drugs or if her breathing has become more labored because of weaning the breathing support. But Chaia's Four Months Old today. She laughed for the first time in her life today. It's a new day.
Yesterday Jack had brain surgery. After the surgery he went into a status seizing episode for four to five hours. When we left the hospital last night there were a lot of unknowns about how Jack would come along. This morning, at 6 a.m. he came to...with speech in tact. It's a new day.
This part of the journey is called The Roller Coaster. Hold on and enjoy the ride.
Rejoicing in the morning. Take 10 seconds where ever you are.
And groove.
"For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Yesterday Chaia's heart rate spiked to over 200. She's fighting a fever. They aren't sure if she is in withdrawal from weaning drugs or if her breathing has become more labored because of weaning the breathing support. But Chaia's Four Months Old today. She laughed for the first time in her life today. It's a new day.
Yesterday Jack had brain surgery. After the surgery he went into a status seizing episode for four to five hours. When we left the hospital last night there were a lot of unknowns about how Jack would come along. This morning, at 6 a.m. he came to...with speech in tact. It's a new day.
This part of the journey is called The Roller Coaster. Hold on and enjoy the ride.
Rejoicing in the morning. Take 10 seconds where ever you are.
And groove.
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