8 p.m…

Can LOVE inspire HATE?

Here are a few examples of “hate” from God’s Word:

“I hate robbery and iniquity.”
Isaiah 61:8b

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
Proverbs 8:13

“I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence…”
Malachi 2:16a

“Hate what is evil….”
Romans 12:9b

As I have observed Irene’s pain, suffering and gross discomfort caused by Primary Amyloidosis and ESRD, I have come to HATE this disease. Candidly, there are times when I find myself getting very angry at what Irene is going through. It is painful to watch someone you love suffer so much in the body. I then process my emotions and ask myself “what am I actually feeling?” I discover that I am angry at the root which is this: that we live in a fallen world where life is short and where sin, evil and suffering abounds.

I long to hate the things that God hates and love the things that God loves. I hate the vanity of this world and the sin which so easily entangles us.

Let me be clear; I am learning to hate those things that God hates, but I don’t stay there emotionally for very long. It’s simply not healthy to do so. I don’t have the capacity to remain there because if I did, I would become a very bitter, cynical person. My “hate” drives me to the bankruptcy of my own heart, to my own sin and to Jesus Christ, for that is why He came into the world…to reconcile the eternal separation from God called SIN and the stronghold of evil. He promises to “make all things new”…demonstrating his LOVE for all of mankind and promising us an abundant and victorious life. He gave His life in exchange for us to experience an eternal life with him…completely pain and disease free…for God is Love.

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart …. Lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24
© 2004 Hosanna Loh

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still

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9 p.m. ….

A little levity in Aptos ….

Irene’s “wild” sisters, Carmen and Jane, arrived from the central valley bearing gifts and bringing good cheer …. they were “all dressed up” and in a “tea party” mood, even wearing their “gloves” for the formal event …. make sure you note Jane’s “GLOVE” …. It was a pretty rowdy crowd …. I’m not sure if Irene’s Wisteria garden where they actually had the tea party will ever be the same.  The face rouge and full length Capri’s under Jane’s long skirt (not pictured!) were especially a hoot …. Jocelyn joined the “action” while I took JoAnna to SJC ….

Carmen, Irene and Jane sporting their tea party attire

Carmen and Jocelyn at the Wisteria Garden tea party

Irene in Wisteria Garden at the tea party

Actually, it’s been an interesting “role reversal” weekend.  Because of Irene’s diminished energy level, Jocelyn and JoAnna served their mom with kitchen duties and late last evening JoAnna gave me a guided tour of Safeway.

We’re currently going through another 24 hour “test” to learn the status of Irene’s kidney function.  We should learn the results later this week.  Thanks for your continued intercession on this front!!  We remain prayerful and hopeful that the kidneys will “wake up” someday soon!!!  The nausea was less aggravating to Irene today, although she’s still taking a combination of 3 nausea medications to mitigate the discomfort.

This evening Irene is especially grateful to God for the blessing of family and friends …. and having both of her daughters near her for the weekend ….

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights ….”
James 1:17a

The peacefulness, lightheartedness and levity of the weekend family visits breathed new life into all of us and we’re grateful that even in the midst of the valley Irene is still going through, she continues to have joy in her heart and smiles through it all!!!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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