Small disappointment

Had a pretty discouraging disapointment recently. The stem cell collecting went great - I was done in two days - so we left on Wednesday for a long Thanksgiving weekend at home before returning back to be admitted on Tuesday. No sooner than we got home, however, that I started running a fever and we had to head back to the hospital, Lima first and then a midnight transport to Cleveland, where they admitted me early in the morning of Thanksgiving and are currently pumping me with antibiotics and trying to find the source of the fever. The disappointment reminded me again of how easy it is to lose eternal perspective. While I thought a long weekend was of utmost importance, I am reminded again that God's purposes are eternal and that His desire is to conform me into a person who glorifies Him by thinking and acting in the eternal realm instead of the temporal. I'll be the first to admit though, it sure ain't natural or easy.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Cleveland Culture

Since we've spent so much time in Cleveland, I thought it would be fun to check out the cultural sites of this great city. So where do we head first? Why to the house they used for the filming of "A Christmas Story" of course! When you get to this place, you wonder how in the world they found it or what set this house apart. It's in a typical old city neighborhood with run down houses though there was a wonderful view of a steel mill complex behind the house. There is a tour offered though we didn't take it (not very accessible) but we did go to the gift shop. I tried to talk Kim into the full size lace skirt lamp (one of which has a prominent spot in the front window to the house) but she nixed the idea. Settled for a couple of t-shirts.

Great stuff from Spurgeon

A personal favorite pastor/author of mine. Timeless though over 100 years old. This is from his evening devotion on Nov 11:

"He shall choose our inheritance for us."
— Psalm 47:4

Believer, if your inheritance be a lowly one you should be satisfied with your earthly portion; for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition. A ship of large tonnage is to be brought up the river; now, in one part of the stream there is a sandbank; should some one ask, "Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?" His answer would be, "Because I should not get my vessel into harbour at all if I did not keep to the deep channel." So, it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck, if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get but little, you are put there by the loving Husbandman, because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your lot, you would soon cry, "Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows." Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Down busy self, and proud impatience, it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!

"Trials must and will befall—
But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all;
This is happiness to me."

at the Hope Lodge

We've been blessed again with a place at the Hope Lodge which I mentioned in an earlier blog. Had my Horizon Catheter placed today with no problems. It's a bit uncomfortable right now but is sure going to be worth any discomfort considering that from now on I won't need an IV to give blood samples, stem cells or receive chemo. Kim and I were singing the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" yesterday. The entire hymn is so encouraging with the truths that are presented. For example, verses 2 and 3:

‘Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When thro’ fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

I'm finding more and more that I need continual, repetitive reminders of God's wonderful truths or off I go letting my mind wander to worry, fear, etc. Please pray for us, especially during these next 6 weeks or so as my treatments intensify. Pray that Kim and I would be continually reminded of God's goodness, omnipotence and loving work in our lives through this time and that our "dross is consumed" to be replaced by the gold of God's righteousness.

2 Tim 2:19: "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”