A Super Hero

We've just finished three days having all the kids home. Caleb (23 on September 14) has been in Newport News for the Summer working at Mitre sand loving every minute of it. If you get a chance check out his website (guicocoa.com) and if you have a child in college (with either an iPhone or an iPod Touch, be sure to check out his MyClasses and My GPA apps. Aaron (20 on August 4) has continued to work this summer, and looks forward to a bit longer break, taking this semester off from school. Rachael (14 this past February 19) is already ramping up for her first year Senior High. We are part of two homeschool co-ops that gives her plenty of work and she still has time to pursue dance, being part of the senior company of the Superne Dance Theater and the Joan Izzo Academy of Dance. Cynth, as I might have mentioned before, is getting ready for a new year of Mothers of Preschoolers mentoring, assistant Sunday School teacher to the toddlers, a brand new study in Bible Study Fellowship, and then there's taking very great care of me, while still taking care of our home and all the schedules.

Another 24 hour period after start of treatment with Noe nausea or other adverse side effects. A little more fatigue Wednesday afternoon, and today and my voice is already much more hoarse than in weeks past. The blood counts yesterday we'd not as high as the preceding treatment, burnout enough to get the fourth treatment and move us closed to the CT scan Monday morning. Cynth and I both have been asked how we can do this? How we can be seemingly so positive, upbeat, even happy? And occasionally? We've even been asked how it is we keep from crying.

We have had our moments, some have been individually, and some while we've been together, in the quite of night when the thoughts of what could be creep in. But those moments have been brief, very brief when measured against the three months since the diagnosis.

Do we still have periods, when is just the two of us that we talk about the upcoming scan, our prayers for really, really great news (like completely gone), but we do allow ourselves to acknowledge that God may indeed intend this for us for a much longer and possibly difficult time. I know I once thought my faith was pretty strong. But God has grown my faith beyond what I could have ever dreamed. He has shown me where I continue to hold tightly to my way, my idols, and he has proven faithful in his grace, mercy and forgiveness. And then I feel his cleansing power wash over me, followed by his gentle leading. And still, in all this experience past, present and future, God's way is perfect, his timing is always right, and his faithfulness is great.

What I still wonder about, is voiced best in the verse, "what is man that you are mindful of him? (Psalm 8:4, Hebrews 2:8). The Hebrews passage continues to say that God put everything in subjection to him, that he left nothing outside his control. What can this mean but that even our disobedience is under him, even to the point of restraining us until we go so far as to defy his calling us that then he begins to give us over to a "debased mind." (Romans 1) Especially as I consider how I have offended God, to know now his love and forgiveness is real in my heart. And through this episode, just as in other areas of our life: the period of anxiety that Cynthia walked through in 2000 into 2001, our struggles with moments of parenting difficult children, and our struggles learning to trust God in so many areas that had not seemed to be problems before.

For any yet not urged by God to seek him and repent, to turn to God and put Jesus in the center of your life as the only Lord of your life, I can only tell you to listen to me. See how god has given me. Voice for rejoicing over the work he has done in me. Might I yet have difficult days? You bet. In fact, if I didn't my doubting would likely be even greater, for God tells us that we will suffer. And it is precisely during these trials that God works in us the increasing and strengthening of our faith.

I am a fan of Batman. I remember nearly every from of the comic book of Batman given to me by a wonderful lady named Dot Mauldin after my dad's car accident in 1969. I think the reason I choose Batman is that he doesn't possess any supernatural power or strength.  He does rely on technology and knowledge (and his wealth does not hinder him, either) but yet he crusades for justice and right, realizing he cannot do it own his own, working closely with his friends in the police department.

But we do have access to a super power. Christ Jesus is our perfect super hero.  In Christ Jesus, we are made more than conquerors through him who loved us, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. Martin Luther provides an appropriate view on a Christian's view to life in this world and what may happen should Jesus tarry in his return:

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.


This is how we have super power, strength not our own, wisdom from God, and peace like a river that attends our soul.

Chili au Maddox warmed our hearts and sated our appetite.