8 p.m…

Do you know God by NAME?

We can only trust him to the extent that we really know him.

Here are the “I am” NAMES and TITLES of Christ:

“I am the bread of life” John 6.35
“I am the light of the world” John 8.12
“I am from above” John 8:23
“I am the gate” John 10:7
“I am the door” John 10:9
“I am the good shepherd” John 10:11
“I am the Son of God” John 10:36
“I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25
“I am the true vine” John 15:1

Each NAME reveals a facet of God’s magnificent and infinite qualities, His steadfast promises and a proven history of His amazing faithfulness.  Among the myriad of other names and titles of Christ are some of my favorites:

•  Advocate, 1 John 2:1
•  Arm of the Lord, Isa. 51:9; 53:1
•  Author of life, Acts 3:15
•  Cornerstone, Psalm 118:22
•  Sun of Righteousness, Mal 4:2

This is the God in whose NAME we trust on this incredible journey…

I will praise You all of my life, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4
© 2004 Hosanna Loh

After an early morning dialysis treatment, Irene rested comfortably and held down a light lunch and dinner!!!  Though still tummy sensitive, her nausea has subsided, at least for today!!!  Yah…!!!   

We leave early tomorrow morning for UCSF outpatient clinic services.  We’ll learn her current blood counts and anticipate a transfusion because Irene’s energy level is so very low.  I hope to report the medical team findings tomorrow evening.

Thank you for your continued concern and prayer support!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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The “Mystery Spot” in Santa Cruz is a tourist destination where millions of people have visited and have tried to figure out the reason for the earthly contortion which has confounded scientists for years because the laws of physics and gravity cease to exist.  Theories abound, but no one can really understand the reason for the phenomenon ….

Irene and I spoke again this morning about the complex mystery surrounding this journey …. one with lots of questions and one that neither one of us would have ever anticipated ….

Scripture is very clear that:

“A man (or woman’s) steps are directed by the Lord.  How can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24

We do believe that God orders our days.  Our human nature, however, wants to KNOW, UNDERSTAND, and CONTROL the process and outcome of our lives.  Perhaps one of the reasons we behave this way is due to our own personal insecurities.  Our correct response, then, is to be recklessly SURRENDERED to Him, understanding that He is in control and has our best interest in mind.

We’re learning afresh that in many ways, life is a complex mystery.  We are commanded to simply TRUST and OBEY our Lord and Savior and look to scripture for encouragement and inspiration:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We are also confident of this, that the mystery, now shrouded in a veil, will be revealed to us when we see God face to face in eternity ….

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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7 p.m. ….

It was a beautiful day on the Monterey Bay and Irene was able get outside for a short time to admire the high blue sky and feel the 70 degree ocean breeze.

If we have a recurring theme recently it’s been one of learning “patience”.

Reporting Irene’s ongoing challenge with nausea as a prayer request seems so very redundant.  But we will continue to do so.  We’re not sure what the expected “norm” is for people who have gone through this type of treatment.  I’m not sure if we will ever know because Primary Amyloidosis is such a rare disease and there isn’t a lot of empirical data available.

The “nausea” that Irene has goes beyond the icky feeling that most of us experience and are familiar with.  She’s unable to lie on her stomach at all, anytime, anywhere, even when she’s not feeling nauseous.  So when she is nauseous, it’s EXTREMELY uncomfortable … especially because it’s been going on for months.  The UCSF nursing staff would tell us that experiencing CHRONIC NAUSEA, like Irene is experiencing, is worse than pain.  The last two NIGHTS have been especially uncomfortable for her.

As a noun, Dictionary.com defines AFFLICTION as the following:

a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
a condition of suffering or distress due to ill health
a cause of great suffering and distress

Given all that she has and is going through, I would say that Irene qualifies under all three sub points of the definition.

Scripture teaches us that we are to “be joyful in hope, patient in AFFLICTION, faithful in prayer” (Romans 8:12).

Irene personifies that Romans verse and both of us continue to have grateful hearts for LIFE itself.  I marvel that she is still so gentle, smiling and will have no part of any kind of pity party!  We joyfully hope, however, that this “season of affliction” will quickly pass!!!

In the meantime, we recognize that we’re on a long journey and must be patient.

We will accept TODAY for what it is and look forward to a better tomorrow!!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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