Several years ago there was a song about Jesus taking the wheel. Do you remember that? Well, whether or not that was one of your favorite songs I imagine that it may have caused you to stop and think. "Who is in the driver's seat of my life?" Over the past several years this question has come to my mind many times, especially lately. If you are anything like me you like to feel like you have some control of your life and what does or doesn't happen to you. Well I have learned that while I do have some limited ability to steer my "ship" through the "seas of life", ultimately I have no control of the winds, waves and weather. Only God is in charge of those! To some this idea may seem frightening or discouraging but for me it brings a reassurance for two main reasons.
#1 God loves me. Since I have asked Jesus to come into my heart, this has been a reality to me. Just like the song I sang as a child still echoes in my mind. I know that Jesus loves me because the bible tells me so.
#2 God is in control. Like the verse in 1 Chronicles 29:11 so clearly states, God is Lord of everything. "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
Therefore, if God loves me and He is in control of everything...I can choose to sit back, relax and trust that He is guiding and directing everything in my life for my good as I release control to Him and cruise through the "seas of life". This isn't always easy but with God I can.
Update: Overall Tina has been doing a little better over the past 2 weeks since she started her Avastin injections although she has been having a lot of difficulty with sleep again due to the steroids she has been taking. Continued sleep deprivation (as you may have encountered) affects every area of your life and it has been causing some difficult side effects for both of us, but God has been faithful to rejuvenate us and give us His supernatural strength to carry on. Please pray that her sleep gets better and we will also be praying that God gives you His supernatural strength when you need it as you release control of your life to Him.
- A messenger of God
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Life's instruction manual...
Have you ever tried to put something together without using the manual. Guys are notorious for this. We look at the parts in the box and then at the picture on the box and assume we got it. Well, this happened to me about a week ago. A dear friend of ours came over to hang out with Tina while Katie and I went to a Daddy/Daughter dance (it was awesome by the way). When we got home our friend left only to return a few minutes later with a flat tire. "I got it", I said as I walked out to her car. About 30 minutes later as I was laying under her car I was feeling a little frustrated and had to ask her to help. She got the manual and it turned out that I was missing a crucial part. After I located this missing part the job was done in about 5 minutes.
This reminds me of life. So often in life we (myself included) go around saying "I got it" only to wind up feeling frustrated later. But it doesn't have to be that way. God gave us an instruction manual for life. It's called the Holy Bible. If we will admit that we need help and turn to His Word we will find that we will find the answers to life's questions and that even when life is frustrating we don't have to feel that way. So, if you are feeling frustrated today by life's challenges take some time to pick up the best instruction manual ever written, God's Holy Word. If you are not sure where to start, I would recommend starting in John (New Testament) as well as Psalms and/or Proverbs (Old Testament).
Related verse: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness..."
2 Timothy 3:16
Update: It has been about 1 week since Tina had her Avastin treatment and she will have another week sometime late next week. She appears to be doing better at times although she is still struggling with extreme weakness on her left side, shakiness, some sensitivity to light and sound and difficulty sleeping through the night. But...we still keep looking to God and His word for our comfort and for direction and guidance for our lives.
- A messenger of God
This reminds me of life. So often in life we (myself included) go around saying "I got it" only to wind up feeling frustrated later. But it doesn't have to be that way. God gave us an instruction manual for life. It's called the Holy Bible. If we will admit that we need help and turn to His Word we will find that we will find the answers to life's questions and that even when life is frustrating we don't have to feel that way. So, if you are feeling frustrated today by life's challenges take some time to pick up the best instruction manual ever written, God's Holy Word. If you are not sure where to start, I would recommend starting in John (New Testament) as well as Psalms and/or Proverbs (Old Testament).
Related verse: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness..."
2 Timothy 3:16
Update: It has been about 1 week since Tina had her Avastin treatment and she will have another week sometime late next week. She appears to be doing better at times although she is still struggling with extreme weakness on her left side, shakiness, some sensitivity to light and sound and difficulty sleeping through the night. But...we still keep looking to God and His word for our comfort and for direction and guidance for our lives.
- A messenger of God
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Follow my voice...
Have you ever got up in the middle of the night in search of water or the restroom and noticed how difficult it is to see without any light? You search and grasp for something to hold onto and for some sense of direction. Well, in our house one of our favorite family rituals is to read Katie a bedtime story and then rock her before she goes to sleep. As we finished reading her story tonight she walked over to grab her favorite blanket and pillow and then proceeded to turn out the light. And then...there was silence and no movement for a moment. Although I couldn't see her I could sense that she was trying to locate where I was. She stopped and called out "Daddy I can't see you." As any loving father would do I reassured her and said "Katie, I am right here. Follow my voice." A second later she was snuggled up warm and cozy in her daddy's arms.
Have you ever felt like you were walking blindly through life? Constantly grasping for some sense of direction, not sure of which way to turn, not knowing what lies ahead in your future...I have. Been there, done that, got the hat. But...it doesn't have to be that way. God clearly tells us in the Bible that if we will listen to His voice that He will guide us and direct us. Check out what Jesus said in John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." That means, if we are in Christ that we can have direction in life and in the darkest of times when we feel scared, lonely and directionless if we listen closely to His voice it will lead us to His loving and comforting arms.
Update: Tina and I have had a pretty rough week. We got news this past Tuesday that the cancer that was removed one month ago with surgery has already returned. But...we serve a mighty and powerful God who reminds us daily that He is well able to take care of us. Additionally, Tina is also scheduled to start some treatments with Avastin tomorrow and we are confident and hopeful that she will be feeling better really soon. Please keep this in your prayers. Earlier this evening Tina was feeling exhausted from the day and was wearing her eyemask to help block out any light to avoid any sensory overload. Since she was unable to see, she was relying on me to help walk her around and at one point she stood still and seemed hesitant to take a step forward. It was in that moment that I leaned close to her and gently whispered in her ear..."Tina, I am right here. Follow my voice." :)
- A messenger of God
Have you ever felt like you were walking blindly through life? Constantly grasping for some sense of direction, not sure of which way to turn, not knowing what lies ahead in your future...I have. Been there, done that, got the hat. But...it doesn't have to be that way. God clearly tells us in the Bible that if we will listen to His voice that He will guide us and direct us. Check out what Jesus said in John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." That means, if we are in Christ that we can have direction in life and in the darkest of times when we feel scared, lonely and directionless if we listen closely to His voice it will lead us to His loving and comforting arms.
Update: Tina and I have had a pretty rough week. We got news this past Tuesday that the cancer that was removed one month ago with surgery has already returned. But...we serve a mighty and powerful God who reminds us daily that He is well able to take care of us. Additionally, Tina is also scheduled to start some treatments with Avastin tomorrow and we are confident and hopeful that she will be feeling better really soon. Please keep this in your prayers. Earlier this evening Tina was feeling exhausted from the day and was wearing her eyemask to help block out any light to avoid any sensory overload. Since she was unable to see, she was relying on me to help walk her around and at one point she stood still and seemed hesitant to take a step forward. It was in that moment that I leaned close to her and gently whispered in her ear..."Tina, I am right here. Follow my voice." :)
- A messenger of God
Friday, March 9, 2012
You know me...
I have been reminded lately about how a relationship with someone builds intimacy. A dictionary defined intimacy as "close familiarity or friendship; closeness; a private cozy atmosphere." Have you ever noticed that as you get to know someone better that it seems as if they can read your mind and vice versa. You finish each other's sentences, laugh about shared memories and seem to know what the other person needs without them even having to ask. The bible tells us that our Father God in Heaven longs to have an intimate relationship with us. A closeness. A friendship. Check out this verse...“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15
So how do we form intimacy with someone? Simple. By spending time with them. The more time you spend with them, the closer you become. It's the same with God. If we want a closeness with God then we need to spend time with Him...reading His word, talking to Him, praising Him through song and with our life.
How can you grow closer to God today?
Update: Over the past several years as I have spent more and more time caring for and attending to Tina, our level of intimacy has grown very deep. Last night Tina had another really big seizure. As a kneeled by her during the seizure I knew exactly what she needed from me in that moment. Later that night as we were going to sleep she whispered some encouraging words in my ear to uplift me and remind me that we can get through this together. She knew what I needed as well :) We chuckled and we both said "Yep, this is just a little bump in the road."
As you read this blog join Tina and I as we continue to praise and worship our Father God through all the bumps in the road.
- A messenger of God
So how do we form intimacy with someone? Simple. By spending time with them. The more time you spend with them, the closer you become. It's the same with God. If we want a closeness with God then we need to spend time with Him...reading His word, talking to Him, praising Him through song and with our life.
How can you grow closer to God today?
Update: Over the past several years as I have spent more and more time caring for and attending to Tina, our level of intimacy has grown very deep. Last night Tina had another really big seizure. As a kneeled by her during the seizure I knew exactly what she needed from me in that moment. Later that night as we were going to sleep she whispered some encouraging words in my ear to uplift me and remind me that we can get through this together. She knew what I needed as well :) We chuckled and we both said "Yep, this is just a little bump in the road."
As you read this blog join Tina and I as we continue to praise and worship our Father God through all the bumps in the road.
- A messenger of God
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Step by step...
Swaying back and forth, about to fall, having to hold onto furniture with every step but giving it every ounce of effort she can. i remember the first time our beautiful baby girl Katherine (we call her Katie) took her first steps. It really was amazing for me to watch. As her cute little chubby legs wobbled back and forth it appeared as if she was just about to fall forward at any given moment as she tried to place one foot in front of the other. As she became older she got stronger and one step turned into two steps and along the way she had her fair share of falls...but she kept getting back up. She never sat down, pouted and said "this is too hard" or "I am just going to give up because I keep falling down". Nope! She just kept on getting up and going forward. Katie is almost four and it is hard for us to keep both of her feet on the ground now as she swings, jumps, leaps and dances about. i am so proud of that little girl. She is my princess and as her daddy i love to cheer her on and say "Go Katie" or "Great twirl" and when she falls i reach down to pick her up and say "It's ok baby, Daddy's here" or "No big deal, let's get back up."
Did you know that our Heavenly Father treats His children the same way? He cheers us on "Go _________" and even though we are grown now, we still fall down at times (i tend to on a daily basis). But when we place our trust in God he is faithful to reach down when we fall and encourage us to get back up and remind us that "It's ok _________, Daddy's here."
Update: Swaying back and forth, about to fall, having to hold onto furniture with every step but giving it every ounce of effort she can. Tina is slowly but surely gaining her strength back on the left side of her body and i am so proud of how hard she is working and just like Katie whenever she falls she gets right back up and keeps pressing forward. Through this journey Tina is learning to trust God both physically and spiritually as she takes each step by step...
My prayer today is that you and i will learn to trust our Heavenly Father to lead us and guide us in this life with every step we take and like Katie and Tina we will keep pressing forward and get back up each and every time we fall.
Here are some scriptures to contemplate:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philipians 3: 12-14
"The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads".
Psalm 145:14
- A messenger of God
Did you know that our Heavenly Father treats His children the same way? He cheers us on "Go _________" and even though we are grown now, we still fall down at times (i tend to on a daily basis). But when we place our trust in God he is faithful to reach down when we fall and encourage us to get back up and remind us that "It's ok _________, Daddy's here."
Update: Swaying back and forth, about to fall, having to hold onto furniture with every step but giving it every ounce of effort she can. Tina is slowly but surely gaining her strength back on the left side of her body and i am so proud of how hard she is working and just like Katie whenever she falls she gets right back up and keeps pressing forward. Through this journey Tina is learning to trust God both physically and spiritually as she takes each step by step...
My prayer today is that you and i will learn to trust our Heavenly Father to lead us and guide us in this life with every step we take and like Katie and Tina we will keep pressing forward and get back up each and every time we fall.
Here are some scriptures to contemplate:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philipians 3: 12-14
"The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads".
Psalm 145:14
- A messenger of God
Friday, February 24, 2012
First things first...
You ever felt like a chicken runnin around with your head cut off? Ok read that again and imagine me saying that with a real twangy kuntry voice. Someone somewhere told me that they are really able to do that. Anyways, sorry for the graphic poultry descriptor, but i thought it was a perfect example for our lives sometimes. This morning as i was running around the house trying to take care of Tina and Katie and meet all of their needs i found myself getting really irritable and grouchy. i then had this amazing ah ha moment...Although i love serving my beautiful wife and daughter, i had not taken the time to spend some alone time with God yet. i know from past experiences that when i don't take at least 5 minutes (minimum) early in the morning to sit, relax and fellowship with my God that the rest of my day will pay for it. So, i made myself stop, sit down and i opened up my bible and i started reading. i then listened to some praise and worship music by Bethel Live (amazing stuff!). Literally within a minute or two i physically felt all the stress, tension and irritability leaving me. Ahhhhhh. In Proverbs 3:6 it says "In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." My prayer is that both you and i would always remember to put God first in our life through our time, energy, thoughts, finances etc...
Update: We came home from the hospital this week and overall we are doing well. Tina still has her up's and down's but there are definitely more up's lately. She is receiving home based physical, occupational and speech therapy and i told her that i would offer her some free psychological services but she passed :) For now we rest in the Powerful, Unwavering, Almighty hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
Update: We came home from the hospital this week and overall we are doing well. Tina still has her up's and down's but there are definitely more up's lately. She is receiving home based physical, occupational and speech therapy and i told her that i would offer her some free psychological services but she passed :) For now we rest in the Powerful, Unwavering, Almighty hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Different View...
When i am flying i love sitting in the window seat so i can look out in wonder at God's awesome creation. Have you noticed how different the view is from up above as opposed to being on the ground? i recently had this experience at the hospital. Tina and i have traveled back and forth through the medical center dozens and dozens of times over the past several years and fought many battles on these grounds. After seeing the same scenery over and over it tends to become routine...until you get a different view of things. The other day Tina and i stood on the 24th floor of MD Anderson looking out over the Houston horizon. As i looked down on the medical center i noticed how different things looked from that view (e.g. i could see things i had never seen before and i could see more clearly how things interconnected). It was in that moment that i felt God speaking to my heart and saying "Aaron, this is how I see things...from up above, not how you see them...you only see things from your level but I AM able to see ALL things and how they work together for My purpose." This experience reminds me of the verse in Isaiah 55: 8-9 that says "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
When you see me please encourage me (and i will encourage you) to daily seek to see things from a different view...God's view. We can do this by daily reading His word, talking to Him and pursuing our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus with our whole heart.
Update: Tina has had a week full of up's (walking, eating well, laughter and smiles, dressing herself, sharing a romantic dinner with me on the 24th floor overlooking a sparkling lit up downtown panorama) and down's (more nausea, throwing up, pain, GI problems and a seizure) and to be honest this "roller coaster" is making my head dizzy...BUT God continues to hold our hands during these times and reminds us to look to Him so that we may see all of this through His eyes :)
In the name of Jesus Christ.
- A messenger of God
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
When you see me please encourage me (and i will encourage you) to daily seek to see things from a different view...God's view. We can do this by daily reading His word, talking to Him and pursuing our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus with our whole heart.
Update: Tina has had a week full of up's (walking, eating well, laughter and smiles, dressing herself, sharing a romantic dinner with me on the 24th floor overlooking a sparkling lit up downtown panorama) and down's (more nausea, throwing up, pain, GI problems and a seizure) and to be honest this "roller coaster" is making my head dizzy...BUT God continues to hold our hands during these times and reminds us to look to Him so that we may see all of this through His eyes :)
In the name of Jesus Christ.
- A messenger of God
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Jars of Clay...
When I was much younger I made a ceramic mug at my school. When I started it was just a lump of clay, but when I was done shaping and molding the clay it was a new creation. I then learned that in order for it to be "useful" the teacher had to place it in a kiln to fire it. This reminds me of the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that states "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." Just like that lump of clay, when we give our life to Christ he will shape us and mold us into a new creation...and just like that mug in order to be "useful" for Christ we as His followers will often go through many fiery trials in our lifetime. Check out this verse in 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." I am also reminded of the concept that in order for a sword to be made sound it has to be placed into a refining fire to make it strong. During this season in our life, Tina and I know full well the pain that a fiery trial can bring....BUT we also know full well that our God is making us stronger through this and we feel so honored that He is using us as we share in His sufferings.
Reflection for you and me: Are we allowing God to use us for His glory and for His purpose? Are we just "pretty" jars sitting on a shelf (expecting only health, wealth and a lifetime free of any "inconvenience") or are we willing to go through fiery trials so that we can be vessels of His mercy and love used to bring refreshment to a thirsty world?
Update: Tina is doing much better today. Her pain and nausea are under control and she has been sleeping well too. She has also been doing well in her physical, occupational and speech therapy. Despite the continued trials we are doing well. We really are. In fact, just a few moments ago Tina and I were laughing hysterically about an inside joke that only she and I will ever know about :)
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
p.s. This blog was inspired by Tina's blog entitled Broken Jar dated 8-4-2011. Go check it out and many of the other amazing blogs that she and God wrote together.
- A messenger of God
Reflection for you and me: Are we allowing God to use us for His glory and for His purpose? Are we just "pretty" jars sitting on a shelf (expecting only health, wealth and a lifetime free of any "inconvenience") or are we willing to go through fiery trials so that we can be vessels of His mercy and love used to bring refreshment to a thirsty world?
Update: Tina is doing much better today. Her pain and nausea are under control and she has been sleeping well too. She has also been doing well in her physical, occupational and speech therapy. Despite the continued trials we are doing well. We really are. In fact, just a few moments ago Tina and I were laughing hysterically about an inside joke that only she and I will ever know about :)
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
p.s. This blog was inspired by Tina's blog entitled Broken Jar dated 8-4-2011. Go check it out and many of the other amazing blogs that she and God wrote together.
- A messenger of God
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Like no one else can....
Have you ever had to sit and watch someone you love go through pain? Watching someone you love go through pain (physical, emotional, etc) is a terribly difficult experience especially if you feel like there is little you can do to relieve their pain. It makes me wonder what God was thinking/feeling as He watched His own Son go through the Passion or suffering from the garden to the cross. Can you even imagine?? I have a beautiful 3 year old princess and I cringe when she scrapes her little knee. But...God loved us SO much that he choose to let His Son suffer for you and I. That is amazing love!
Update: Tina has really been suffering a lot the past 2 days with bouts of pain in her back/neck and head so intense that it causes nausea & vomiting, in addition to gastrointestinal issues, lack of sleep, fatigue, allergic reactions to medications and on and on... It has been very challenging for me to watch this knowing that despite all my efforts there is little I can do to relieve her pain, yet even now God is encouraging me and reminding me that He understands her pain and my pain perfectly. So I remind myself that the greatest thing that I can do is to pray for her knowing that her loving Heavenly Father is watching over her and caring for her like no one else can...and knowing that, my heart is filled with His hope and joy confident that she will be victorious in this battle :)
Verse which inspires me: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
Update: Tina has really been suffering a lot the past 2 days with bouts of pain in her back/neck and head so intense that it causes nausea & vomiting, in addition to gastrointestinal issues, lack of sleep, fatigue, allergic reactions to medications and on and on... It has been very challenging for me to watch this knowing that despite all my efforts there is little I can do to relieve her pain, yet even now God is encouraging me and reminding me that He understands her pain and my pain perfectly. So I remind myself that the greatest thing that I can do is to pray for her knowing that her loving Heavenly Father is watching over her and caring for her like no one else can...and knowing that, my heart is filled with His hope and joy confident that she will be victorious in this battle :)
Verse which inspires me: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Wondering why...
Have you ever asked the question: "Why does God allow suffering?" or "Why me?" or "Why now God?" If you have, you are not alone. These questions have been asked innumerable times before. Consider the following passage in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 that states "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." Did you get that? That's an answer to the "why" question. I realize it may not be the only answer to these difficult questions in every case, but nonetheless it definitely is an answer for many of us at times if we are open to the possibility. When we as Christians suffer, God comforts us and then when we see someone else who is suffering we can share God's comfort with them. Now that's really cool! What troubles are you facing right now? Have you ever stopped to think of your "troubles" as a blessing? Ok...don't stop reading..I am not crazy ;) The next time trouble comes knocking at your door...think "Ok God teach me to grow from this so I can encourage someone else" and then after you have gone thru it and hopefully grown from it, keep your eyes wide open for someone who is going thru the same trouble and reach out to them with God's love.
Update: Tina is doing much, much better today. She is eating, sitting for short periods of time and even walking to the restroom with assistance. Her pain levels are under control and she is tolerating more light and sound. Praise God! Thank you for all your powerful prayers. If you are facing a "trouble" right now that you could use some prayer for please let me know so we can keep you in our prayers as well.
Prayer needs: Pray that God continues to send people into our life who are hurting and who share similar stories to our own and that we would be a vessel of God's mercy, love and comfort to them in a very real way.
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
Update: Tina is doing much, much better today. She is eating, sitting for short periods of time and even walking to the restroom with assistance. Her pain levels are under control and she is tolerating more light and sound. Praise God! Thank you for all your powerful prayers. If you are facing a "trouble" right now that you could use some prayer for please let me know so we can keep you in our prayers as well.
Prayer needs: Pray that God continues to send people into our life who are hurting and who share similar stories to our own and that we would be a vessel of God's mercy, love and comfort to them in a very real way.
Follow our blog @ christslegacy.blogspot.com
- A messenger of God
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