Like Paul, do you ever struggle with our fallen nature?

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Romans 7:15; 18-19; 21b-24

Irene and I reflected on the wonderful yesterday we experienced and Shirley Churchill worked with Irene again today. Irene still remains very fatigued and took a long nap after Shirley’s treatment.  We’re looking forward to March 13th, which is the next outpatient day at UCSF.  Hopefully we will learn more at that time.

Here’s the daily challenge …. we are POLLUTED in the fallen world that we live in …. but I’m not just speaking environmentally as in smog, emissions and other such toxins, but we’re polluted by our SINS, INIQUITIES and TRANGRESSIONS before a Holy God.  My thoughts are not His thoughts; my ways are not His ways.  What am I seeing, hearing, thinking and doing on any given day that is not consistent with my core belief system.  And, with the barrage of data coming at us in this information age, we’ve got to create “boundaries” and/or “filters” for us to process appropriately.  If you’re like me, I am constantly struggling, as Paul was.  It’s when the ability or inability of carrying out my right desires are tested that

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28!!!!!!

Walking path in Pacific Grove/Monterey

Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove/Monterey

Lone Cypress on 17 Mile Drive

A windy day on the beach near Carmel; her hair is definitely growing back.

Carmel Mission

Today is our anniversary.  March 1, 1980 thru March 1, 2008 equals 28 years of marriage! To celebrate, we spent the afternoon driving a portion of scenic 17 Mile Drive, in and around Pacific Grove and Carmel.  We did the same on our honeymoon!  The evening culminated with a fabulous dinner in Monterey at the Chart House on Cannery Row.

Near Point Lobos

Earlier in the day Shirley Churchill worked with Irene on physiology techniques designed to “wake up” the kidneys.  Ken and Shirley made a special trip to help bring some relief to Irene’s nausea symptoms on this memorable day.  Ken and Shirley are the gift that keeps on giving!!!

Monterey Harbor

Chart House on Cannery Row

Cannery Row at Night

It’s been a day of reminiscing and rejoicing in God’s favor and faithfulness.  It’s also been a day of some tears.  In spite of facing the colossal and ruthless enemy identified as Primary Amyloidosis we have grateful hearts for His Presence on Irene’s Journey of Faith.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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Do we long for Heaven or do we long for Heaven in this fallen world?

Can we even begin to imagine what the real Heaven is like?

If you’ve always thought of Heaven as a realm of disembodied spirits, clouds, and eternal harp strumming, you’re in for a surprise, because, according to Randy Alcorn, the author of the book simply titled, HEAVEN ….

…opens your eyes to the wonder and beauty of eternity, introducing you to Heaven the way Scripture describes it as a bright, vibrant, and physical New Earth, a place free from sin, suffering, and death and brimming with all the wondrous sights and sounds that surround us every day.

Irene drove herself to dialysis and drove home, sipping on her favorite, customized Starbucks beverage which I had delivered to her as she was concluding the treatment.  She rested for the balance of the day.  She was extremely fatigued and the nausea was at a heightened level of significant discomfort.  Irene remains, however, very determined and optimistic about the future and had the gumption to prepare us a delicious dinner and apricot crisp dessert!

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Philippians 1:20-26

Paul speaks of living on PURPOSE …. ”if I am to go on living in the body, this will

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