Thoughts for today

I talked with a dear friend today who commented that my blog seems a little fatalistic. She reminded me that God has not said He will not heal me, in fact, there are many scriptures which promise healing for us. There are also many that point out that if we hope to share in God's glory, we must also share in His suffering. Lest I give someone the wrong impression, I am NOT resigned to this illness in my body. I DO believe God for my healing, but I am also realizing that He has something He wants to accomplish in my life. The sooner I cooperate with that, the sooner I will receive His blessing. My blessing is a direct result of my obedience to Him.
Elizabeth Elliot reminds us that "Jesus' purpose in coming to our world could not be accomplished with His laying down His own life. 'I have come that men may have life, and may have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep' (Jn. 10:10-11).
Each time the mystery of suffering touches us personally and all the cosmic questions arise afresh in our minds, we face the choice between faith (which accepts) and unbelief (which refuses to accept). There is only one faculty by which we may lay hold of this mystery. It is the faculty of faith, and 'faith is the fulcrum of moral and spiritual balance.'
I write as one who desperately needed a refuge. The bottom has dropped out of my world, as it were, more than once. What exactly, was going on? Where was I to turn? To God? Is He God or is He not? Does He love me or does He not? Am I adrift in chaos or is the word true that tells me I am an individual created, called, loved, and purposefully placed in a cosmos, on ordered universe, a universe designed, created, and completely under the control of a loving God and Father
I share her sentiments. I too desperately need a refuge. The bottom has dropped out of my world. It is a comfort to me to know that I do have a Good Shepherd. 'The word fits my need, for I am a sheep, helpless and bleating. He cannot forget one for whom He lays down His life'."
"Jeremy Taylor wrote, 'Shall there be mutiny among the flocks and herds, because their lord or their shepherd chooses their pastures, and suffers them not to wander into deserts and unknown ways?' I choose to believe, to surrender, to trust, and to accept. That much I can do. God than does what I can't do--'When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.' (Is. 59:19)
As I said before, I am not resigned to this sentence given by the medical profession. I am trying to trust God each day to do what He will with my life. I do not want to wander into deserts and unknown ways. I am SO VERY thankful that my suffering is better and not worse! I continue to trust God daily to give me the resources to trust in Him. So far, He has!! I pray that my life will truly glorify Him.

Please pray for Gordon. He is the one who is REALLY suffering. He is in so much pain from his neck surgery. He went back to the doctor Tues. They think some of the hardware from the first surgery has come loose. The will probably have to do another surgery on his neck. He is scheduled for a myelogram on June 2 to see what is going on.