IN STORMS OF LIFE

Journal Entry from April 1, 2011
Snowing
Yesterday dad was sick in bed, throwing up whole night. Mom is doing pretty well. She gets to take care of him. Brent continues to suffer and trust the Lord with his brain cancer. (Brent went to be with Lord May 10, 2011)
Streams in the Desert, April 1:
Job 13:15: “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.” (2 Tim 1:12 “for I know whom I have believed!)

“…I will not doubt, though all my prayers return
Unanswered from the still, white realm above.
I will believe it is an all-wise love
Which has refused these things for which I yearn;
And though at times I cannot keep from grieving,
Yet the pure ardor of my fixed believing
Undimmed shall burn.”

“I will not doubt, though sorrows fall like rain,
And troubles swarm like bees about a hive.
I will believe the heights for which I strive
Are only reached by anguish & by pain;
And though I groan and writhe beneath my crosses
I yet shall see through my severest losses
The greater gain…”

“In fierce storms,” said an old seaman, “we must do one thing, there is only one way: we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

“You must stay upon the Lord and come what may – winds, waves, cross-seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers—no matter what YOU MUST LASH YOURSELF TO THE HELM, and HOLD FAST YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, HIS COVENANT ENGAGEMENT, HIS EVERLASTING LOVE IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Richard Fuller)

Personal Reflections and personal prayers from the Psalms:
Promise: Psalm 1:2 Blessed is the man who delights in the Law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. He is compared to a tree planted by streams of water which yields fruit in its season, its leaf doesn’t wither and in all the HE DOES HE PROSPERS!

Ps 31: In you O LORD do I take refuge today. Don’t let me be ashamed ever as I go to be with Brent and parents and encourage them. Deliver me from fear when I’m with them—fear of man, fear of failure, fear of disobeying You. Listen to my prayer, rescue me speedily. Be a Rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.

I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love because You see my affliction and that of my aging parents and Brent and mom’s cancer. You know the distresses of my soul and You have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a broad place.

Be gracious to me, Brent, Mom, and Dad, O Lord, For we are in distress. Our eye is wasted from grief; our souls and bodies also. But I trust in You on their behalf. I say Our times are in Your hands. Rescue us today from Satan’s schemes, darts, harassments, fears…

Make your face to shine on us all save us all in Your steadfast love. O Lord don’t let us be put to shame for I am calling out to you on their behalf. How abundant is Your goodness which You have stored up for us if we fear You!

Thank you for the day all my loved ones will take refuge in you…You hear my voice in this place and answer. You rescue me. I am taking courage in You today.”