โGod has such a great sense of humor. He allowed my physical weakness to be public so that I canโt hide my need for prayer.โ
Randy Brittain
With so much public conversation about who or what gets to decide what happens with our bodies, Godโs word comes in pretty clear. We, with our God given free will, are most free, unhindered, and joy-filled when we surrender ourselves, body, mind, and soul, to the Lord, our Maker.
This is worship. Surrendering all of me to the One who made me is my best offering of adoration and honor in worship. This surrender confesses that I am only here and living and participating in life on earth because He has allowed me this opportunity.
We, my dear man and I, know that not everyone reads the Bible or believes the Bible is authoritative. Many people dispute the idea that the Word of God is good for us, or practical for everyday life in 2024. And it might be that those who hold that opinion have not read the Bible in its entirety. However, for those of us who believe God is Creator, and have placed ourselves under His rightful authority, His Word has the final say.
โTherefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Godโs mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godโthis is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Godโs will isโhis good, pleasing and perfect will.โ โญโญRomansโฌ โญ12โฌ:โญ1โฌ-โญ2โฌ โญNIVโฌโฌ
As an extreme introvert, my dear man would rather remain in the background. He doesnโt want his birthday acknowledged. And he doesnโt want to be in a spotlight. Typically, he would not move forward in a call to prayer on a Sunday morning. However, thanks to long term Parkinsonโs, his visible symptoms prompt him forward. It is a visible weakness that his Good Shepherd has allowed for His glory.
And as my dear man has humbled himself under Godโs will in this disease, other men afflicted with visible and invisible weaknesses have been drawn to him for prayer. His vulnerability is deemed safe to approach. God is good like that. He takes the thorn in the flesh and makes it valuable for His kingdom. And we remind ourselves that this affliction is temporary.
{I canโt believe he lets me take his picture}
No matter the public conversations about who owns what or has control over this or that, the bottom line, the foundational truth is Godโs Word. He is creator of all. Owner of all. King of all creation. And we believe that we live our best lives as we bend our knees, and follow this admonition. We offer our bodies to God in service knowing He will give us all we need.
If youโre not convinced, and have doubts, thatโs okay. We did to, and still struggle with the physical and spiritual truths we donโt understand. So, hereโs an opportunity to open a dialogue with God. Risk it. Ask Him to reveal Himself. Open the Bible and read. If thereโs nothing there for you, at least you will know you did your research.
I am a curious follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received miraculous healing in my body and mind.
After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I received a challenge to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by my fearful living choices. It was my two sons, who loved me enough to confront me with the truth. They called out the hypocrisy of fear, and I am forever thankful.
Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then to overcome fear with faith that was more than words.
Years ago, with my eyes open to my sin of unbelief I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. God has been faithful to teach me, grow me up, and help me to let go of all the things that used to mean security to me.
My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall in love with Jesus through His word; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love!
I have been married to my dear man for over 36 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have helped to grow two young men, who are now married with their own families. God is continuing to help them write their own faith stories. Additionally, we share our home with an old rescue pup.
I look forward to having you join me here to fix our eyes on Jesus and shine with His radiance,
Lisa
Psalm 34:5
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2 thoughts on “Page 12”
Hi Barbara,
Weโre 12 years into our Parkinsonโs journey. Itโs been a long, sometimes painful, journey with an overarching theme of mercy, grace and joy. The way my dear man has come to embrace the thorn in his flesh speaks loudly of Godโs care, love and grace sufficient to cover any weakness.
Thank you for stopping by to read and encourage today! I appreciate you!!
Lisa
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I am sorry to hear of your husband’s diagnosis–but glad to know how God is using it and ministering to you both. It can be scary to surrender all to God. But ultimately we know He is good and has a purpose in all He allows.
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Hi Barbara,
Weโre 12 years into our Parkinsonโs journey. Itโs been a long, sometimes painful, journey with an overarching theme of mercy, grace and joy. The way my dear man has come to embrace the thorn in his flesh speaks loudly of Godโs care, love and grace sufficient to cover any weakness.
Thank you for stopping by to read and encourage today! I appreciate you!!
Lisa
I am sorry to hear of your husband’s diagnosis–but glad to know how God is using it and ministering to you both. It can be scary to surrender all to God. But ultimately we know He is good and has a purpose in all He allows.