carving out time.
The grand task.
The sick man in his apparent inactivity has a very grand human task to fulfil. He must of course never cease to aim at his own cure and recovery. Also he must of course use all the strength that remains to him for the different kinds of sometimes extremely productive work that are within his powers.
Christian resignation, in fact, is just the opposite of giving up. Once he has resolved to combat his sickness in this way, the sick man must realize that in proportion to his sickness he has a special function to perform, in which no one can replace him: the task of co-operating in the transformation ( one might say conversion) of human suffering.
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin ( 1881-1955), French philosopher,paleontologist, and Jesuit priest. In ” Human Energy” ( written 1933), trans. J. M. Cohen (1969), and included in On suffering (1974).
-Quotations for all occasions,Cathrine Frank, p. 126
Even in suffering, God is with us, and He loves.
Recently, I have been thinking a lot about the question of sovereignty.Not why God allows suffering, but if it really is him allowing it, or has more to do with this broken world that we live in. Maybe asking questions like that sounds heretical, but it’s the question that my heart has been asking whether I voice it out loud or not.
I’m not a theologian, so I can’t give all the theological reasons why God is sovereign despite the impact of (original) sin, or explain exactly what that impact is. I am sure there are some of you out there who can, and if you would like to do so, we would be interested to hear…
But this has been more of a journey for what my heart understands. Some of that has come through books, but most, through gentle whispers of a still small voice.
The voice has said ” I love you, and I am in control, no matter what you feel, think, are told.” The voice has spoken to my heart and brought comfort so deep that it cannot be articulated with words. It has given me peace despite circumstances and in-spite of the confusion of my mind. I know he is sovereign, even if I can’t understand it all. Even while I grapple once again with the problem of suffering and pain. The problem, that for many of us, just does not go away.
Yet, He is sovereign and He loves.
THAT is the answer that has been at the depth of my discovery. He loves. I don’t understand, I feel hurt my the burden that I have had to carry, I feel confusion and pain by the hardship that others endure. But HE LOVES. He is faithful and He loves.
To me, it is of great comfort to know, that despite my many unanswered questions, that does not change. God is sovereign and He loves.
I am not at the mercy of an angry universe; (even though there are times it has certainly felt like that), nor of complacency, evil, or a god-less world.
God is sovereign and He Loves.
I was reading this morning and came across this, “God is also working when our treatments are not effective. God is at work in the midst of panic attacks as surely as in their healing. God is present in our sufferings as well as in our healing. God is working everywhere and always, in wounds and in healing, and often in ways we in our finiteness cannot comprehend.” *1
They referenced the following verse:
“Look now; I myself am he! There is no god other than me!
I am the one who kills and gives life; I am the one who wounds and heals;
no one delivers from my power!” Deuteronomy 32:39
The TNIV says “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal” Deut 32:39
” I will heal.” What a hope-filled promise.
Probably, or rather, certainly, not as fast as we would like. But he will. This is wonderful. On the flip side, it can be very painful to think that the God who loves you may have wounded you. ( There are other reasons, but I don’t know how to explain all of that- theologian needed.). For those of you really struggling with the questions of why, this may be too painful to face right now.
But for me, I found it comforting. It is a comfort to be reminded that there is a promise of healing. Comforting that I am not at the mercy of some unseen evil. Comforting to know that He is at work in our lives, even when it is painful, and seems all wrong; that he is present in our suffering.
Most of all, comforting to know the character of the God who said this. That he is good. That he cares. That he is faithful. That he loves.
If you are suffering, He is with you, the questions will come, and the pain of them may break your heart more than the actual illness/circumstance, but rest for a little while in the assurance that despite everything, he is a good God. He is sovereign, He is faithful and He loves.
*1 -McMinn & Campbell, Integrative Psychotherapy, p. 50.
Invisible illness awareness week.
Many of you will know of Lisa Copen and her organization ‘Rest ministries’ . I really respect her and appreciate her encouragement and the encouragement of her organization. I didn’t even know that it was invisible illness awareness week but was reminded of this by Lisa. I loved reading her list, and thought you might too. You can find it here :
http://restministries.com/2012/09/03/invisible-illness/
Or below:
30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness
September 3, 2012 By admin 2 Comments
Have you ever shared what it is really like to live with invisible illness? Try our Meme!
I have been getting ready for Invisible Illness Awareness Week, September 10-16, 2012. Just a reminder that is it Rest Ministries that sponsors this event, which includes a virtual conference, as well as blogging for the cause, doing the meme (below), and this year we are uploading images that show our visible hope!
So, it’s been a few years since I filled out the meme and thought it was time for an update. I answered the whole meme (below) and then went over and looked at the one from 2009. Surprisingly, not a lot of my answers changed. Though my favorite gadget in 2009 was a jar opener, and in 2012 it is my ipad. Now, if the ipad just had a jar opener, right?
So, I share with you my heart and encourage you to go fill out the meme too. (You can find it here, 30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness Meme. http://invisibleillnessweek.com/submit-article/30-things-meme/) Feel free to post it on your blog, in the Sunroom as a blog, wherever you have a little home on the internet where you can share, and then link it up so we can come and read it.
And if you want to spend a few minutes with some new friends, you can find over fifty other participants of the 30 Things You May Not Know About My Invisible Illness here. There are so many things that are unique to each of us, and other emotions or circumstances we share.
Lisa Copen’s answers. . .
1. The illness I live with is:
rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
RA in 1993, FM in 1994. I was 24.
3. But I had symptoms since:
Early 1993, it progressed very quickly.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
Everything! RA changed my entire life. I used to pack my schedule as full as possible and loved to be busy. Now instead of measuring life by time available, it is by energy available and the pain level.
5. Most people assume:
That rheumatoid arthritis is an inconvenience in life, but if I take the medications I will hardly even notice it. They don’t realize that the medications work just well enough that I can function. I can get dressed (some days even that is interesting!), I can drive to the post office, I can have a playdate for my son. But some mornings I know I can’t do it that day, and I never know in advance. My doctor has said that about 70-80 percent of my pain is from deformities, so even if I did get the illness under some control I wouldn’t notice much of a decrease in my pain level. That is sort of frustrating.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:
Everything! From moving out of bed, to putting weight on my swollen and deformed feet, to trying to hold a coffee cup when my hands feel more like tender claws.
7. My favorite medical TV show is:
I don’t watch much TV. Occasionally I will watch a few minutes of Dr. Oz (for a medical show)
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
My ipad. It keeps me connected to the world anywhere, when I have the energy I can write, when I am sick I can watch Netflix. I also got to the point where holding a newspaper, book, or magazine was impossible, clipping coupons were hard. I love being able to do all this new on the ipad.
9. The hardest part about nights are:
Getting comfortable. I have a Cuddle Ewe mattress topper (a lifesaver!) and a very specific collection of pillows for my neck, shoulders, hands, etc. I use pain patches, heating pads, ice bags, whatever I can get to try to help me sleep. My husband recently started using a C-PAP machine so now his snoring is no longer keeping me awake. That has been a huge blessing. For the past fifteen years, I would wake up every few minutes–literally– to kick him before; Or I would stay up till 3 or 4 and then make him to go the couch (I am in real pain if I try to sleep on the couch, but I knew he didn’t sleep that well on it either.)
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
I was curious so just went and counted. . . 34! But this includes multiple vitamins, pro-biotics, calcium, etc. And then I also do injections and infusions.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
Think it is a personal decision for each person. I am happy with my rheumatologist who is open to trying anything natural in addition to the medications I am on. I have used herbs for high blood pressure for example, under his guidance. I also grow weary of people who think if I am not doing only alternative treatments I am a fool. If I had not taken the medications I have over the years, I would have been in a wheelchair many years ago. I don’t think anyone should have to defend her choices about treatments.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
Invisible. Now that the RA has deformed my hands, feet, prednisone has added weight, etc. it is becoming more visible. I think I preferred it better when it was invisible.
13. Regarding working and career:
I had hoped for more, but am just where God wants me to be at this time. I learn to accept this each day–to do what I am able. I admire other women who do so much more and I used to want to be like them, but I just won’t be. I need to rest in the fact that God has given me the abilities and energy to do the tasks He has set before me — and try not to grieve the stuff I want to do, but just can’t find the energy.
14. People would be surprised to know:
How much pain I am in and how many parts of my body do not work all that well. I keep very busy and get a lot done, but I have tendons missing in my shoulders, feet that I cannot put weight on except for my heel, I type with 3 fingers and 2 thumbs, and every second I have multiple body parts that are throbbing. Many people assume because I do what I do, I must not be in that much pain. I am blessed I am not worse, but after 19 years of RA, I have never experienced a day of remission and every day I want to go to bed and stay there, but I never do. My brain is wired to keep on keeping on.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
Having it touch on every season of life. From adopting our son as a baby, to raising him, to being a wife, to taking care of my home, and having a ministry. No matter how wonderful things may be, illness always tries to ruin it. Illness always has bad timing with infections on vacation, etc. I grow weary of the daily-ness of it! And just knowing that overall, my body will continue to break down can be discouraging. I can’t fathom recovery time of surgeries when I am in my sixties when I can barely deal with it in my forties. I don’t assume the worst, but I also don’t assume I will have a long life. So I try to appreciate each moment and make most my conversations with my son really count.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
Just recently, get on a recumbent bike. 19 years of my knees falling apart (calcified blood clots, bones chipping off, a cyst, etc.) I never thought I could move my leg that way again, but some injections and physical therapy have helped tremendously and I can do 5 minutes now.
17. The commercials about my illness:
Are frustrating. They add to the myth that RA can be all better with a little shot now and then. There is also too much emphasis on celebrities taking the medications and having miraculous results instantly. And the actors they hire to ride bikes along the shoreline or throw a football on the beach just annoy me. But you have to have a little fun with it. Among RA patients there is a funny saying of “G’night, Phil” instead of “G’night, John-Boy” referring to Phil Nicolson–as in “go to bed!” (If you are too young to remember “The Waltons” that joke may slip by you.)
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
Just being able to move my body. Jump, run, do a cart wheel, walk a flight of stairs in 30 seconds, play the piano.
19. It was really hard to have to give up:
Walking longer distances, like going to Sea World and not having to use a wheelchair, etc. I like my independence. I also wish I could be more dependable. When I am invited to speak, for instance, at a conference six months in advance, I have no idea if I will be in a decent season or barely able to get out of bed. I usually pray about it and make a choice and then, if I committed to it, I pray for adrenalin and strength!
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
Decorating, creating. I have always done this, but the hands don’t work very well now. But I am a pinterest addict and I love going to the thrift stores and seeing what I can find to spray paint. I also have started planting loads of succulents. Finally a plant I can not water for a month and it still thrives (I love plants, but don’t especially like playing in dirt or watering, so growing things can be a bit of a challenge.)
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
Go to the beach, walk over the sand with ease, take off my shoes and run, and then plop down on a blanket. I can’t walk in sand anymore or sit on the ground. Lay on the sand and listen to the ocean tide. It’s amazing how those little things are never appreciated until they are gone.
22. My illness has taught me:
Life is short. . . and precious. I need to do my best to cherish each moment because a simple infection or stroke could take so much away so quickly. I also have learned that God can provide great joy in the middle of trials. It is not “happiness” (and sometimes I miss the “happy feeling”) but it is still joy. It’s appreciation. It’s being grateful that God is in charge of my life–and not me!
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
When people say, “I know exactly how you feel!” and then share how they have a sore toe, or they just had an ingrown fingernail.
24. But I love it when people:
. . . say, “so tell me about your ministry. What made you decide to start something for people with chronic illness? Isn’t that depressing?” Oh, how I love to tell them how God works out the details for our lives and how amazing and inspiring those with chronic illness can be.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
My life scripture is this one: Psalm 119:50 “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” And I have a lot of favorite sayings, but I love one, “Be the kind of woman that when her feet hit the floor the devil says, ‘Oh, no! She is up!’” I want to be that woman.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
It will be hard, but emotionally, it will get better. Grieve your losses, but also make new plans, discover new dreams. Don’t be afraid to find someone to talk to–even a professional counselor. You shouldn’t have to do this on your own. Read just enough about your disease online to know a few symptoms to be aware of, but know when to stop reading and focus on a hobby or something fun. Don’t get obsessed with all the things that might happen to you. And lastly, feelings of being angry at God are normal, but turn to Him and talk it out, rather than avoiding Him and separating yourself from Him. Illness is hard enough to “do.” Having God on your side will make it a little bit easier.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
How well the body can work when so much of it is completely confused and messed up inside.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
Brought me a giant chai tea from Starbucks on a dark, stormy day–just because.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
I think it’s vital people know they are not alone in their physical and emotional pain. And that I believe people want to help, but don’t know how. Illness touches most lives eventually. Although someone may seem disinterested in learning how to reach out to one with a chronic illness or cancer, the day will come when it impacts his or her family, and they will want to know more.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
Honored. Grateful. Hopeful! Thank you for taking the time to get to know the “real me.”
“He leads the way, keep close to him”
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself.” To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us. Once more, all that self denial can say is: “He leads the way, keep close to him.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
I love this- not looking at the road that is too hard for us, but just to say ” He leads the way, keep close to him.”
That’s my King- Dr Lockridge
I was listening to Dr Lockridges words this morning and wanted to read them again, and thought you might too. Here they are.
‘The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California
said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976:’
“My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.
He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.
I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then . . .Amen!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To hear this 6:30 minute audio message by this amazing preacher, use the following link:
http://www.theiowaharvest.com/harvestholler/archives/000085.html
Accessed from: http://across2u.com/ThatsMyKing.html
We are the clay
Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.- Isaiah 64.8
I am thankful for this. God being in charge is such a wonderful feeling.There is such peace and safety in this.
It has been a little over a month since I last wrote, with many adventures and ups and downs since this, I am thankful for the faithfulness of God to be with us, and the encouragement that He gives, shaping our lives to be the way He wants, if we will surrender.
We are all the work of your hands.
Traveling- Piles of rocks.
Traveling tomorrow, we have been here in Christchurch for nearly 6 months and now moving up to the North Island, where we hope to be warmer, among other things =). God has blessed us so much. It seems like he has just set this up, one thing after another.
We are thankful. A man makes plans but God directs his steps.We know that this has happened for us. We prayed, made plans, gave them to God, and he changed them all, in such wonderful ways. How could we have guessed how welcoming this new community we are moving to would be, and how much they would help us?
We could not have guessed how much they would bless us, and all that before we have even arrived.
You don’t know what you don’t know. But God does. He does see things we can’t and I know he has prepared this place for us. For what amount of time, who can say, but for this time.
So, we place a ‘pile of rocks’, just as the Israelites of old, to remember the faithfulness of God. To remember that He provided us with this job, that He has provided for us with funds for travel, strength for packing and moving, selling furniture to go better than imagined, friendly people to welcome us and a gorgeous house to arrive at.
We thank him for all this, and much more. We pause. We remember to remember, and we place a pile of rocks.
How the lame run 