Thursday, April 10, 2008

Disability Ministry Sunday: A Special Day Indeed

Sunday, April 13 is DMS at church. This will be a special one as Dave will be reciting Isaiah 55 for his Kindergarten class. I will be reading from Lamentations in the service. Also, the next day Dave starts his first day at Giant Steps therapeutic day school for autism.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Blessed Stressfulness: The Relationship Between Our Emotions and Sin

"You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say 'It is hopeless!' You found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint." (Isaiah 57:10).

Sin has emotional consequences. After his sin, the Psalmist speaks of his strength drying up as in the heat of summer (Psalm 32), and Isaiah 59:9-12 speaks of despair and severe upset resulting from living in known iniquity.

So why do we consider all stress something to be avoided?

Not this kind! After some degree of meditation on these passages in Isaiah 57-59, I can see that emotional turbulence is a helpful warning sign that we need to get back to the Word.

I have personal testimony.

Since February, I have been having a rough go of it. Not having a full-time job with the economy the way it is, and some of David's worse moments with his autism condition have pushed me to the limit. I handled these vexations in a manner that was willfully selfish. God, in his wisdom, love and mercy, never left my conscience without verses like the above ringing in my ears. After some indescribable emotional pain, He has been gracious to me and brought me to himself again and again. I am glad I did not find renewal of my strength too soon!

I guess sometimes blogs like mine might convey the idea that my life is perfect, that all is rosy and right now that God has rectified some physical things in my life. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are all still made of dust, and it is only the Lord's kindess, tolerance, and patience that save us. Expect to be bummed out when you sin, and get alarmed if you are not!