This wonderful hymn by Annie Johnson Flint is a “just in time” inspiration along the trek of Irene’s Journey of Faith.  We’re thankful to Ken Churchill for sharing these encouraging words which we now share with you.

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932)

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis treatment, went to the store afterward and spent the balance of her day resting.  Dialysis, as is the normal routine, really drained her energy today and she’s looking forward to her “day off” which is what I refer to as her non-dialysis days!!  Irene did have the gumption to prepare for us a delicious dinner!!!

And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

We’re grateful that he increases our capacity to possess and that where sin abounds, grace abounds more.  We’re grateful that His love has no limit; that His grace has no measure. Irene’s physical energy may be somewhat diminished but His strength is made perfect in her weakness.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Continue reading

You’ll see some photos below that we took while enjoying an early morning drive, listening to “Big Band” oldies from the 1940’s and sipping Starbucks.  The stormy day was a good one for cruising…

Irene had a pleasant day with the nausea remaining at a low roar and not disabling in any way.  She enjoyed some “westerns” (Gunsmoke & Bonanza) and also received an encouraging telephone call from Marsha Tarr, who always manages to lift Irene’s spirits with humor and levity.

Irene prepared a delicious soup for dinner which complemented the weather…and I devoured two slices of her homemade pumpkin pie!! (…just trying to be a good husband!!!!)     

Thanks for your prayer and care,
Dave

Continue reading

Recently, we were asked why God would allow his children to experience severe pain. In the course of trying to help the person who asked the question, I asked Frank Johnson if he had any thoughts. Many of you may recognize Frank as the internet strategist behind IreneDias.com, but you probably don’t know that he is also a licensed minister. He has also written on the topic of suffering. I’d like to share his thoughts with you:

Dave:

Some quick thoughts:

pain and suffering, if embraced, will result in a greater experience of and dependence upon grace (when Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh and asked that it be removed, God’s response was that His grace was sufficient for Paul).
through suffering, we are prepared to comfort others with the comfort we receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
physical suffering refocuses us on the more important, eternal aspects of life (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
James says blatantly that suffering produces maturity, if we will let it (James 1:2-4 – trials produce endurance and, if we’ll let it, endurance will result in maturity [perfection and completion]).
our suffering and the way we respond to it will be the impetus which brings others into relationship with God (Tertullian said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church). The salvation of the Philippian jailer and his family in Acts 16 found its roots in the fact that Paul and Silas were worshiping God in the midst of their suffering.
those who suffer experience the presence of God in deeper measure (“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” 1 Peter 4:12-14). This article, entitled “The Valley of Weeping”, may be of interest on this point.
Hebrews 12:1-13

Continue reading