I have been reading (just finished today) the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. (By Eric Metaxas) Wow... What an amazing testimony. It seems to me, more now after reading this than ever before, there are very few people truly living a life for God. I was touched by this man's insight. Of course, he was a brilliant scholar raised in a family of true intelligence. But, intellect aside, it was his devotion to God and His Word that really got to me. It was because of his devotion that he had this insight into God's will for his life. At such a young age, that someone could even reflect upon the thoughts he had... again I say, "Wow".
It makes me recognize my apathy toward trying to see God's will in my own life. I find it hard to take a mere 30 minutes in a day to read my Bible. And he not only found the time but made it the essential part in his day... to read, to meditate, then to live it! I understand the concept of living every part of my life with God in mind; but this is so much more. Not to just live with a silly catch-phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" attached to every decision; No; but to spend such time with God that one just knows His will for his life! To know (after careful meditation and prayer each day) when His voice is speaking.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was remembered by all who met him as a loving, gentle man. How can you reconcile this with a man willing to be part in assassination? I would have had trouble too, had I not read this wonderful biography. He so carefully kept his family, his friends, and his church out of this part of his life; knowing it was God's will for him and him alone. He did not seem to agonize over it, he just KNEW. And the task, although unsavory, and seemingly contradictory to all he believed, was a matter of being obedient to God's will for him.
I know I do this entire subject injustice in my bumbling words. Something Dietrich Bonhoeffer said in a letter (to paraphrase): Nothing should be indescribable. If one takes enough time to think about it, there are words to describe nearly everything. But I feel I am limited in my words to elegantly describe my thoughts and feelings about what I have learned from this man, 75 years gone now. I know that as thoughts occur, I will be recording them for quite awhile.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Mid-March.... ALREADY???
Where does the time go?? I cannot believe it is mid-March. Here I am looking at my blog that I have not updated since January. Much has happened during that time. My husband was admitted to the hospital shortly after my last post for pneumonia. I knew he was sick for quite some time... but being male... didn't think a Doctor was necessary. Imagine his surprise when the doctor said, "You are taking this X-ray straight to the emergency room and you are having them admit you. If they do not admit you, you have them call me and I will change their minds." He had never been in the hospital overnight before. In fact, he was there for 3 nights.
Now, here we are 2 months later, with bills over $18,000 (thank you insurance, but still.... $3000 deductible... and the extra 20%... ouch!), and we still do not really know for sure if the pneumonia was merely caused by an infection or if there is more at play. We are looking at auto-immune problems, vasculitis, etc.
BUT, God is so amazing. My husband has been out of work. One may say, "ooh, bad timing for all those hospital bills", but we say, "ooh, good timing for him to be able to get some rest without any guilt and possibly be really helping himself tremendously!" AND, my husband has decided exercise and a change in diet may help and has already lost nearly 60 lbs (and me 10lbs too). Seems he wants to be around longer and enjoy my company and that of his children and grandson.
SO... through ALL things, God allows good things to come to His children. We are both getting healthier, a serious condition may have been discovered that otherwise would not have, he is healing faster because he can rest, and God has never let us down financially before so we have no reason to believe this time will be any different. Did I mention? My husband has also started attending church with me regularly since getting out of the hospital. (Except when he's gone fishing... he needed that time away - both for me and for him!)
Well, I believe this year is going to be an amazing year for us. God is so gracious and so good. Anyone who thinks otherwise has just yet to meet Him face to face!
Now, here we are 2 months later, with bills over $18,000 (thank you insurance, but still.... $3000 deductible... and the extra 20%... ouch!), and we still do not really know for sure if the pneumonia was merely caused by an infection or if there is more at play. We are looking at auto-immune problems, vasculitis, etc.
BUT, God is so amazing. My husband has been out of work. One may say, "ooh, bad timing for all those hospital bills", but we say, "ooh, good timing for him to be able to get some rest without any guilt and possibly be really helping himself tremendously!" AND, my husband has decided exercise and a change in diet may help and has already lost nearly 60 lbs (and me 10lbs too). Seems he wants to be around longer and enjoy my company and that of his children and grandson.
SO... through ALL things, God allows good things to come to His children. We are both getting healthier, a serious condition may have been discovered that otherwise would not have, he is healing faster because he can rest, and God has never let us down financially before so we have no reason to believe this time will be any different. Did I mention? My husband has also started attending church with me regularly since getting out of the hospital. (Except when he's gone fishing... he needed that time away - both for me and for him!)
Well, I believe this year is going to be an amazing year for us. God is so gracious and so good. Anyone who thinks otherwise has just yet to meet Him face to face!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Imagine
UGH! I hate being SICK. I cannot believe I have this terrible cold. I don't know whether to be grateful that I wasn't sick over the holiday again and my time off, or irritated that now that I have to be at work full steam, I'm sick. Hmmm. All I know is, I'm a baby about being sick. When I don't feel good I just want to sleep and be left alone. I'm fortunate, my husband does a good job of taking care of me. He allows me to sleep and offers to get me anything I need. The dogs are not so understanding; they still love "mom" and want me to let them out, feed them, and hug them.
I know in this world we will have illness, pain, and tears. I anxiously await our entrance to heaven when we get a new body, one that does not get tired or sick. To live in a place of pure joy and love. No viruses, no bacteria, none of those things that make us feel horrible! They will banished forever. Woohoo!
You know what else will be great? No crying! I know a good cry can be cleansing, Lord knows I've done it enough, but can you imagine a time and a place where the need for crying will be abolished? I love to imagine it....
I know in this world we will have illness, pain, and tears. I anxiously await our entrance to heaven when we get a new body, one that does not get tired or sick. To live in a place of pure joy and love. No viruses, no bacteria, none of those things that make us feel horrible! They will banished forever. Woohoo!
You know what else will be great? No crying! I know a good cry can be cleansing, Lord knows I've done it enough, but can you imagine a time and a place where the need for crying will be abolished? I love to imagine it....
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Beginnings
A new year has arrived. A chance for new beginnings for so many people. New lifestyles; new eating habits, new exercise plans, new work ethics. Generally, for most, it lasts about 3 weeks? A month?
What if we looked at each day as a new beginning. Every morning, what if we awoke and said, "Thank you, Lord, for this day! Let me be the best I can be for today." I think by making small, reachable goals we stand a much better chance of actually changing (for the better, I hope). Heck, I have to take some things hour by hour let alone day by day. (Oh, this curse of loving sweets and despising exercise!)
I pray I can make the appropriate changes in my life. Changes that will be pleasing to God, it is all I can ask.
Happy New Year to all.
What if we looked at each day as a new beginning. Every morning, what if we awoke and said, "Thank you, Lord, for this day! Let me be the best I can be for today." I think by making small, reachable goals we stand a much better chance of actually changing (for the better, I hope). Heck, I have to take some things hour by hour let alone day by day. (Oh, this curse of loving sweets and despising exercise!)
I pray I can make the appropriate changes in my life. Changes that will be pleasing to God, it is all I can ask.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever"
~ Hebrews 13:8, NLTHappy New Year to all.
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