Back to My Blogging!

Well it's been a slow month as far as publishing on my blog! The main reason, to be honest, is that I keep hoping and praying that I will soon be able to publish really really good news! Alas, the Lord reminds me through this whole ordeal that I must learn patience and total reliance upon Him! :-)

At any rate, since my last post I have felt very confident about everything, though in His time I would love to hear from the powers that be about the final resolution. Even so, I have spent so much time in the Word that I keep wondering why it is that we Christians so often need the motivation of hardships in order to be completely immersed in the things of the Lord. Oh well, may the Lord help me to remain as faithful every day from now on as He has already helped me these last few months.

So is there anything new to share? No. But don't worry so much about this because in some ways no news is good news in this situation. And how have I been doing? Surprisingly well. Thanks to the patient love and admonition of God. This time has also helped me to bond with friends I did not realize I truly had. I have a dear neighbor who cried with me when all of this first started, and his love for me and his total trust in the righteousness of my case have humbled me so very much. He has been a shoulder to lean on when others were not there for me. Another neighbor down the street also came to me and expressed his support for me. This man assurred me I could turn to him with any needs. In addition to these fine Christian men, a dear brother from my old church has been helping me to deal with all of this too. He and his family came to us as soon as they knew of my situation and offered us their support, bringing us dinner and opening their home to us as well. Every one of my co-workers who is aware of my situation has expressed their support as well. And finally, what could we do without the love of family? They have given the unconditional love which overwhelms a person. Without all of these people and the loving expressions of trust and support...this would have been a far more difficult journey for my family and I.

All of this has made me realize how important one's witness is. Why have I received such support? Without a doubt it is because these people know me and, praise be to God, they have seen in me the man that God has been shaping me into. I do not say this as a boast...I say it in humble surprise. My whole Christian life I have felt like such a failure in the things of my God. I have not been the best husband or father, and yet somehow He has been working in my life. Working to shape me into the "image of His Son." Can I claim that I have been responsible for any of this? NO! For I know my own heart...I know that often I have wanted to do those things I know I should not do, and that sometimes I have not done that which my God requires of me. So it is not what I have done with my life, but what God has done to my life! This is the only witness I have before the world: That God has worked in me despite myself! How precious indeed then is my salvation! All of it is His work and none is mine.

So my prayer is this: That He continue to work in my life, to mold me and shape me; that I be open to all that He would teach me from His Word; and that my wife and children will forgive me when I fail to be a good father and/or husband. My greatest desire is to see my sons walk with God all the days of their lives, and if I live to see all of them grow to manhood and see them walk with Him, then I will give the credit and the glory where it belongs: God deserves it all!