God At Work

Prior to going to Texas several weeks ago, I was conflicted on if I should make the last-minute trip down to Texas to help my mom, heading down four days earlier than I had planned to go (to go to a Conference).   One of my concerns/comments to God was that I would miss two days of work – and though I only work part time, I still estimated that I would miss out on $50-$60 worth of work if I went to Texas early.  

When I did decide to go, God confirmed it in a Wonderful miracle!  Within 24 hours of deciding to go, I had someone, out of the blue to me, give me $60 for my trip – NOTE: I did not tell anyone but God about my concern about missing money from missing work.   Yet God provided anyhow, and at the same time confirmed in me that He was in the decision of me going down early (Which turned out to be a huge blessing).  WOW GOD!!!  We serve a faithful and Wonderful God who takes care of us even when we least expect it!!!   WOW GOD!! Thank you GOD!!

Truth

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

- Psalm 19:1-4a 

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.   The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is majestic.  The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.  He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.  The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lighting.  The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.  The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare.  And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"  The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.  The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.  - Psalm 29:2-11 

The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of who shall I be afraid?  When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.  Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;  though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.  - Psalm 27:1-3 

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake.  Even though I walk through he darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  - Psalm 23

"You Are Faithful God Forever"

While I was down in Texas last week in Dallas at the conference, kind of out of the blue I had 4 warning lights come on in my car, the break system warning light, the ABS light, the Break system warning light and warning buzzer, and SLIP indicator light.  At the time, they were an answer to prayer - I had just bought some things at Wal-Mart and was a bit convicted for buying them as I didn't have the money and I felt like it was an answer to prayer; as a way of God saying, "hey that was me saying not to get those things.  Now take them back."   So I did and felt a lot better about it afterwards - though I was sad not to have them. 

Anyways the lights haven't gone off since.  I didn't really tell anyone about it.  Then my dad texted me, without knowing that I had the lights on, with a picture of a letter a friend of his who has a Prius got.  It was of a warranty coverage thingy that could potentially replace the Break Booster for free.   There were 5 warning lights that may indicate this issue.   Four of those lights were the lights that I had in my car.  So I set up an appointment with Peoria Toyota first thing this morning (Saturday) for them to inspect it to see if the lights in my car line up with this warranty thingy. 

When I got there the sales representative told me that if they dig into it to diagnose it (much more that what they had done at my last appointment) and they find that it doesn't line up with the warranty thingy, they will charge me for the diagnostics (1 hour at $115 per hour).   I told them I couldn't do that - that I do not have the money for that.   They told me that they are not going to do it for free if it's not covered by the warranty thingy (I forget the actually term it was called).  I said that I don't have the money.  The representative told me that we are at a cross roads then, and asked if I wanted to cancel my appointment.  I hesitated, not knowing what to do.  They the lady offered that she could get a mechanic to quick get the code readings from the car to see if they problem remotely relates to the issue, to see if I wanted to cancel the appointment or not.  So I said that was good.  While she was doing that, I silently prayed, asking God for wisdom on if I should go ahead with this inspection.  I felt like He was leading me to go ahead with it.   So when the mechanic came and read the codes and found no codes, I gave them the go ahead saying, that I'll have to find some way to cover the costs.  I had to sign a sheet saying that I would pay the $115 if it ended up not being under the warranty thingy. 

Over the next hour or so while I waited, I got to spend some really great quiet time in Toyota's waiting area.   Time flew quite quickly - as they say, 'Time flies when you're having fun'.  Before I knew it the lady came up and told me that the diagnostics seem to be leading to the break booster, but my car isn't covered by the warranty thingy.  She explained to me that the warranty thingy (I showed her the picture from my dad's friend) is specific to certain cars only, and not to all Prius's - they would have sent me a copy of the letter had my car fit under it's umbrella.  They asked if I wanted to continue the diagnostics leading towards the break booster, knowing now that it will be another 2 hours - and knowing that the break booster replacement will be $1,400 plus labour.  I told them no, so the lady told me they would bring my car around and she will bring the paperwork out so I could pay. 

I prayed (and asked my dad to pray for me as well) that God would provide one way or another.  During that time I wrote out my prayer to God believing that He will either let it align with the warranty some way or cover the cost to fix it.   When the lady came back out, she said that she didn't want to charge me since they didn't complete the diagnostics - and she owed the mechanic a favour - so she gave me the whole $115's hour's worth of work for free!!!  WOW  GOD!!! 

The Sales Representative was clear at the beginning that she would not do this, but she did it anyway - By the grace and wondrousness and faithfulness of God!!  Thank you Jesus!  He told me that He would provide and He provided!!!!   What a God we serve! 

The lady also gave me a number to call Toyota and see if they will somehow give me the break booster warranty thingy. 

God is soooo Goood!!

Praise God!! Prayer Answered

Thank you all for your prayers and thank you God for you answer!

Mom had her biopsy today and it went wonderfully.   I am so excited right now about this, I really want to share with you a text she sent me at 11:47 this morning.

I am on my way home from [the] biopsy.  [It] went well.  [There were] only a few seconds when I had spasms.  But they gave me a drug that gives me amnesia so I would forget.  While they were doing the biopsy they went ahead [and] fixed my broken vertebrae.  They were doing the biopsy in the same bone.  They also found another vertebra that was broken so they fixed that too.  They gave me a really good pain med too.  So right now I am feeling good.  I hope the meds never wear off!  It feels so good not to have pain!  I believe it's a result of everyone's prayers

Hallelujah!!   God answered our prayers for this procedure!! God is good all the time! WOW GOD!! He is such a good Father and caretaker, His hand is clearly over her!   We get to serve one AMAZING God!   

Thank you again so much for all your prayers for her biopsy!   They really had a huge and powerful effect, and I believe they really helped encourage my mom.   God is good!!!   Please keep her and our family in your prayers as we accost the next bump and take it captive until it aligns with with Christ. 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,"  - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

"I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless You name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable."  - Psalm 145:1-3

"Praise the LORD!  Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His might firmament!  Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!  Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp!  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!  Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!" - Psalm 150

Catch Up

Upon returning from Texas, I did find that I do have a handful of homework assignments to work on.  However I seem to keep forgetting that I have them.   The teacher in my Child Development class has been very generous with me and quite understanding.  She really seems to care - she came up to me today after the field trip - as we were leaving - how my mom was doing and if I will be able to make it back down to Texas this weekend or sometime soon.   She has offered that I can take my time at getting my missed assignments done - and I can do them when I can. 

I haven't talked to my Math professor yet about make up homework - since all my homework was online.   Everything that I missed that is past due I can still do for 50% credit, and there are some that still haven't reached the due date yet. 

In my Introduction to Physiology class, come to find out, I didn't miss any assignments - Thank you God!!!   And when I got to my Intro to Computers class on Tuesday, I found that I was way ahead from where I thought I was - actually, I just overheard (literally as I am writing this) my professor tell the person behind me that being at chapter 8 is preferred, but chapter 4 is the minimum requirement for midterms (Midterm is today).  I am at chapter 4 - and I had thought I was doing well, since I was at chapter 4 - but it sounds like I may need to get a few more chapters done.  Anyways, because Midterm was coming up (in class on Tuesday) our professor gave us the whole class as a work day.  I used the time to get caught up on some of my math - a non online assignment that we were given on Monday.  

Field Trip

This morning my Child Development class at school (CHLD 101) went on a field trip to the Bloomington Day Care Center.  I was a little late - most of us met there for class (those who didn't have cars carpooled from the school).   When I walked in the day care center, the rest of the class and the professor were listening to, who I assume was, the director of the facility talk about the facility.  The professor, and some students, asked some questions which helped draw more out of the director.   Then we got to walk around the facility and join some classrooms to observe.  I only observed a toddler room (15 months - 2 years old), which had six kids and two teachers.   The kids were so cute, and I felt very welcome and comfortable once in the classroom - even though I was just observing. We were at the center for about 30 minutes and then we left to go our own ways - nothing in class today.  Now we have about a week to do a write-up assignment on the observation.  Overall, I really had fun and enjoyed myself.  The time flew by way too quickly - it certainly didn't seem like 30 minutes when we left.  

An Opportunity To See God Like Never Before

Over time, and over the last handful of months especially, I have come to the realization that God is revealed so much more to us when we compare Him to something.  This is because He isn't comparable to anything, and yet, we still aim to compare Him to things, events, circumstances, thoughts, and our surroundings in our daily walks of life.   For example, we see light as much, much brighter than it may be when we get up in the middle of the night and turn on the bright light of the bathroom.  Boom!  The light is so bright we can barely keep out eyes open.  Why?  Because we are use to the darkness.  We are use to having our eyes closed and not thinking consciously and we are use to being asleep.  Now all of a sudden, we are "awake", being forced to make conscious decisions, and have to open our eyes, even just a little.   We are use to the comforts of bed, and then our surroundings are suddenly immersed in a bursting ray of light when we flip that switch in the bathroom, and our eyes can barely handle the sudden change.   In that moment, we see the light of in the bathroom as way brighter than it actually is. 

It's the contrast.   The contrast between good and evil; between life and death; and between light and dark.   When there is contrast, the elements, pieces, people, ideas, circumstances, and all else stand out so much more than they usually do to us.   In contrast, we see two or more forms that we are use to seeing, aligned next to each other, which we are not use to seeing.    This alignment causes some aspect of one or more of the forms to stand out to us abnormally; we notice it because we see the extreme difference between the forms. 

Thus why I believe is one reason God allows us to experience and endure hardships and trials.  He wants us to see the contrast between what we are going through and how great He is.  Just as when we first see the bathroom light at 3:00am; when we see God in a sharp contrast to a trial in our lives, God (the bathroom light) is not actually greater and brighter than before the change.  He is always been the same.  However, we are exposed to Him in such a timing that we realize and experience Him for who He really is, rather than what we previously got use to seeing Him as. 

The challenge for us is, in our human nature, we can easily get accustomed to who God is and Him being in our lives, that in doing so we lose sight of who He really is.   Thus the need for Him to allow a trial in our lives that will provide for the contrast. 

Though I have personally experienced so many of these contrasts they cannot be counted, I am writing today with one of the most recent contrasts in my life in mind.   About a month ago I felt God leading me to take a trip down to Dallas, Texas to attend a Leadership and Worship Conference this weekend.   I took off work and talked to my professors about missing school and making up work while I was gone.   The week before leaving, my mom's back pain escalated to the worst point it has ever been - sending her, nearly in an ambulance, to the ER for the second time in two months.  With this escalated pain, it became a great challenge for my mom to get in and out of chairs, cars, and bed.   In knowing this, I felt the freedom to head down early to Texas, as I was led, and spend a few days an hour and a half south of Dallas staying with and helping my mom with her pain.   I left Illinois Thursday morning and arrived late Thursday night at my mom's house in West, Texas.   Early to mid that week my mom's doctor ordered her and MRI, and only by God's grace and the work of His hand, there was an opening Thursday night to do the MRI.   I was blessed to go with my mom that Friday morning to the doctor's office to go over the results of the test. 

This is where the contrast started.   The doctor sat us down, and cautiously proceeded to tell us that the MRI showed a fractured vertebra, multiple bulging discs, and signs of cancer - cancer does not run in our family.  The doctor sent us in that afternoon to the hospital for a CT (CAT) Scan.   Within an hour or so of the scan the results came back.    The cancer is in one, possibly both of my mom's lungs, her spleen, her back, and hips.   The expected primary source is the lungs. 

This came as a huge surprise and it has brought much emotions, tears, and thoughts.    Yet, as I sit here today, not five days from hearing that my mom may have cancer, I am not as shook up as I would have expected.    Yes, I don't like it, and I am believing and praying for healing and restoration in my mom's body, but no I am not that worried about it.   Philippians 4 tells us clearly not to worry about anything.   I can see this sudden deep challenge and struggle in our family and see it as an opportunity to see God like never before.   The idea of cancer in my mom's body brings a real hard reality, but in its darkest and lowest moments, God's goodness and faithfulness will shine all the more.  I know that this is easier said as I am not the one with cancer, but I am directly affected by it.   God's goodness has already been shining into our situation and it excites me to see what He will continue to do and reveal to us.  No, I am not overly thrilled about the next period of time as we walk through this time of chemo, treatments, and whatever else will come, but I am ready to see what God will bring of it.  I am ready to see God in such a brighter way than I have gotten use to seeing Him. 

Regardless of what happens on this journey, regardless of what pain, struggle, disappointment, time consumption, and doctor's conclusions we face on this journey, it is in God's hands and it is an opportunity to for great joy.   James 1:2-4 says in the New King James Version, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Knowing that, I will take a bold step and say that I will face this trial not as a crippler but as an opportunity; I will face this struggle not as a breaker of my plans, but as an alignment step towards God's plan.  I will face this circumstance with strength and joy and will not let the devil rob me of them.  I will not allow the devil to take this situation and turn it for evil, but rather I will face the devil and this situation with confidence that my God is in control and that my God loves me and my family regardless of what the flesh endures.   Satan will not have my family, and he will not have me.   First John 5:18 tells me that I am born of God and the evil on - the devil cannot touch me (I am eternally God's). 

So, as you go back out into your daily lives, consider this: when a discouraging event, a painful circumstance, or a "perfect" disaster comes into your life, let it be an opportunity to see God like never before.  Or when you miss the bus, run out of gas, or trip on the sidewalk, find joy in it because Satan doesn't have the authority to convince you that you are a fool or stupid, when you are trusting in God and believing that you are who He says you are - born of God!