Happy Mother’s Day, Mary!
The Holy Places
Have you often thought about how amazing it is that we can pray to God? Hebrews 10:19 says,
“Therefore brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
The verse keeps going, but someone who lived under Old Testament Law would have to stop there:
“Enter the holy places? Me? That’s only for the High Priest, and even he does it with trembling. I have no business in the Holy Places of the Tabernacle. The only person who could enter the holy places with confidence would have to be perfect.”
They would have a hard time believing they could come boldly before a Holy God. But if they backed up a few verses, they would understand:
“For by a single offering [Christ] has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
We have no right to pray. In ourselves, we have no good in us that would prompt God to listen to us (Romans 3:23). But Jesus offered himself as a living sacrifice so that we could be considered by his perfect life, so that we could have the right to pray!
Ian’s had kind of a boring week this week. Ian’s never had a problem staying entertained, so it must be hard now that he can’t. Let’s pray with confidence God would heal Ian!
-Ben
The Life of Grace is the Dawn of Immortality
John Newton, the author of the Hymn “Amazing Grace,” said concerning the dawn:
“The day is now breaking: how beautiful its appearance! How welcome the expectation of the approaching sun! It is this thought that makes the dawn agreeable, that it is the presage of a brighter light; otherwise, if we could expect no more day than it is this minute, we should rather complain of darkness, than rejoice in the early beauties of the morning.
Thus the life of grace is the dawn of immortality: beautiful beyond expression , if compared with the night and thick darkness which formally covered us; yet faint, indistinct, and unsatisfying, in comparison of the glory which shall be revealed.”
-Ben
April 30th
One year ago today, Ian came back home after seven months in the hospital. I can’t believe we all ever made it through those seven months. I also can’t believe that we’re still where we are. Ian has made progress, but I know that I was thinking being home would wake him up in no time.
From one of Mark’s latest songs that I listen to every time I get in my car now. and I’m trying desperately to believe this in my heart:
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
Thank you for praying. And thanks Mark for another great song.
Larissa
Baseball
“I surrender to the pilgrimage you have ordained for me, including the hardships.”
Raymond Ortlund, Jr.
I read this prayer not long ago, and I have to be honest. I struggled with it. God is sovereign, and he has ordained these hardships for our family, for Ian and for Larissa. But, I must travel this pilgrimage willingly, and somehow I have to daily accept that paradox. It’s my attitude that must adjust to the reality of God’s choice for me and for my family. Help me, Lord…
Tonight, laying on his therapy table Ian held a baseball and made the motion of throwing it. He let go, the ball landed on the table, and he moved his hand around on the table to find it again. With help, he picked it up again and repeated it a few times. Once, he held the ball and moved it in his hand to feel the seams.
Keep praying for Ian…
Steve
loss for words again
Once again, I’ve let a few days go by without posting anything new. and, once again, I don’t feel like there is much that I can or want to say. In fact, I’ve drifted to sleep several times since writing that last sentence.
This has been a good week for Ian, I guess. He’s feeling much much better. He has had some great therapy sessions this week which is encouraging for everyone working with him at the hospital. We spent every day this week out on the patio enjoying the nice weather.
Recently I was thinking of how nice it would be to learn about God’s mercy and character in an unpainful way. It seems that every lesson that I learn is the result of a really painful, grevious situation. I’m not sure why God chooses to do that. I’m sure that it is sanctifying Ian and I more to learn about him these hard ways. But it sure would be nice to have a clear picture of God’s love for us, instead of having to constantly be asking for the holy spirit to help us to know that this is love, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I know my most clear picture of God’s love for me is at the cross, but I want an example of that from God in this trial. I want him to bring relief for us and to show us his love clearly and simply.
laris
Pinch tag
A couple nights ago, Bill called me in to look at something Ian was doing. Bill would touch part of Ian’s hand or wrist and tell him to grab his hand. Ian would move his hand to try to grab and pinch Bill’s hand between his own fingers. When Ian succeeded or got close, Bill would move his hand to a different place touching Ian’s hand as he moved it. They played that game of pinch tag for a while. Something’s going on inside Ian.
Steve
“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
-Philippians 4:11-13
Birthday photos
At the end of the day today, Ian said that he had a nice birthay. We had a party and then just hung out on the patio. And just as a disclaimer: as soon as Lydia saw the sombrero in the store she wanted it to be Ian’s birthday hat. You should’ve heard her happy squeal when Ian agreed to wear it. He must really love her…Ian did really well in therapy today. He was tapping his foot for the therapist to push a Taboo buzzer and also doing the same with his hand.
One last happy 23rd wish, Ian.
Happy 23rd Birthday, Ian!
Praying that you will be surprised by God’s kindness today, Ian.
