Joel's Journey: not major.... but timely!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

not major.... but timely!!

Not MAJOR like anyone's getting married yet, but, I read this today, so timely for me when so many are going "hither and thither." Bethany and Micah headed to Illinois, of course Caleb still in MD and thats maybe his new residence :) Daniel flying back and forth to Tulsa and soon helping Rebekah get to Kentucky for school ( i hope he comes back, haha) And then today when a few of us are going on a fun outing with friends to nearby Sulphur and Terry can not go because he is working.......we are all not continually together it seems. I'm happy, happy, happy bout everyones agenda's but also its hard, hard, hard! So when I read this devotional this morning about God is continually with me.....it soothed my heart!!

"Nevertheless I am continually with Thee," Ps. 73:23 ( Spurgeon)

Nevertheless, As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings,"nevertheless I am continually with Thee." Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgement, endeavor in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God." By this is meant continually on His mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eyes; the eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart for ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of Thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace!! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, Thou beholdest me as wearing Christ's garments, and washed in His blood, and thus I stand accepted in Thy presence. I am thus "continually with Thee." Here is a comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempst within-- look at eh calm without. "Nevertheless" -- O say it is in thy heart an d take the peace it gives. "Nevertheless I am continually with Thee."

I just needed that today.....that no matter who is here, if only a few are with me, God is continually with me!!

See......I posted and it wasn't that long. I guess when I feel like I have something "post worthy" I will post!!

Happy weeekend!!

4 comments:

Daniel and Jaynee Lockwood and Family said...: I read that this morning the the children...Spourgeon! :) It was perfect for us today too as we had some very unexpected things happen during our travels! So good to know that God IS always watching us and with us!
Love you! And I am so happy you posted :); July 30, 2011 at 2:02 AM
Elisabeth Lindsey said...: :) You're an inspiration, Miss Cindy. Always praying for ya!; July 30, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Sharon said...: Thanks for sharing a reminder of truth. We serve an amazing God!; August 1, 2011 at 7:17 AM
Teena said...: It is strange Cindy as our older ones go this way or that way. I only have six but my 3 oldest are gone a lot. Mike/Amber all the time as they live in Orlando.... but Mandi & Dakota doing things... work, school.... fun... etc. So it end up being the 3 youngest and me. I like time w/ just them but then it does feel "out of sorts." Hope that makes sense.

He never leaves us.

Much love,
Teena; August 1, 2011 at 12:00 PM

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Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.