I'm glad to say that the last 10 days have been probably as close to normal for Joyce and I than in the last 7 months. Her pain dosing has been steady and she has had little discomfort and we have been able to get out a lot together. She was able to come to church the past two Sundays and, again, that hasn't happened in 7 months. My colon problems have also eased up as well and my diet has improved.
We were able to have our 4 year old grand daughter, Kaylee, with us for a few hours on Friday and she always brightens up our day! And our second grand daughter, Brooklynn (8mo.), just got her first tooth - pictures forthcoming :-)
I would also like to share briefly that the Lord has been doing a fresh work in my heart the past couple of weeks. As I've said many times before, it's easy to get distracted and depressed when facing trying circumstances - and the enemy has a field day with us when we get our eyes off the One Who loves us constantly. Thru the Psalms, the May 15, 16 devotions from Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest" and a great book by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones - "Spiritual Depression - Its Causes and Cures", I'm being refocused and reminded of how great and good our God is...and am being challenged to manifest Him at all times as He called me to when He saved me 36 years ago.
I pray each of you be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit today - and might you be yielded completely to His control in your daily challenges, trials, and opportunities!
From Psalm 103:8-18
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.9 He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him.14 For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.15 As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,18 To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. (NKJ)
Blessings!
Pat
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Oh Pastor, I'm so happy to read of your blessed past week. Hearing of Joyce's pain relief is even more cause to give thanks. Enjoy every minute. My prayers are with you both.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Michelle
Thanks Pat for openess and sharing of the fresh work which God is working through you. It has encouraged me in my depression to know that God's grace is sufficient. May we all admit this to one another that our lives would be open to the fresh working of the Holy Spirit in us that we may be molded in the image of He who died for us and He that rose again!
ReplyDeletePhil 3:20-21
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
(NKJ)
Keeping you and Joyce in prayer,
a bondservant