Not complaining but rejoicing

All is going well healthwise. One should really not complain about the little things but learn to deal with each day and enjoy it as it's given.

In response to a complaint (or moaning) from Jeremiah, the Lord answered in Jeremiah 12:5 as follows:

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?"

I can only pray that I do not have to deal with the horsemen or the floodplain of Jordan but to continually rejoice before the Lord.

Health update

It has been a rather mild winter which is good news for me. The weather has been good and the temperature reasonable. Snow accumulation is just about a metre which is low for this time of the year. While I have enjoyed been able to go out and do things, I hope we don't pay for it later in the year with forest fires.

My health has been on the mend, my breathing is good and my muscles are stronger. My CPK level seems stabilized at about 240. I still can't run to save my life, but I do know when to stop and rest. I'm back to work full time and as always enjoying my work.

God has been faithful and I can only say I've been saved by HIS GRACE.

Merry Christmas

Christmas season is more than just a holiday. It's a time of giving thanks for all the goodness one has received throughout the year. I am truly grateful for my health this past year. I am appreciative of my family and friends, work colleagues, Dr., nurses, pharmacists, and all those who work to support my well being. My heart is full of gratitude. I hope this season brings all of you joy and many blessings as it does for me.

Best wishes and have a wonderful holiday!

A Hymn of Faith

Habakkuk 3: 17 to 19

 

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—

 

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

 

The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.

 

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I am dedicating this hymn to a family who had been praying for me while I was very sick. I met the father and one of the daughters yesterday - in conversation, I asked where their mom is, only to find out she passed away last December. That was heartbreaking. She had pancreatic cancer and only lived for 6 months from when she was diagnosed. May her soul rest in peace.

New season, new joy

The summer season is now coming to an end. I managed to do things I had never done or even imagine doing. Due to my lungs, I was uncertain about traveling on an aeroplane so I went camping instead. I camped in a travel trailer, a tent, and a cabin - yes, three different camping trips. I am fortunate to live in British Columbia - with all the beautiful lakes, mountains, and rivers. I camped in some remote areas, in places where I had never been before. The trips were all enjoyable and filled with fun. I was fortunate not to have any flares and to spend time surrounded by very happy and joyful people. These trips were rather refreshing and special.

Wishing you all a refreshing, happy and joyful autumn.

A season of rest

Summer is here, the grass is green, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. I pray the Lord will give you rest, rest from all your battles, rest from all the assault against your spirit, body, and soul.

Joshua 21:44-45

The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Wishing you all a restful summer.

Poverty through sickness and diseases

From my experience of being sick, I learned that sickness can be very expensive and costly. Sickness and disease often lead to poverty. In fact, sickness, disease, and poverty can become a cycle. Medication and accessing treatment can cost lots of money. Being unable to work means you are spending while not earning. Medical insurance can go a long way in covering some of your expenses, but it does not always cover the 'new' costs of living. If through sickness and disease you become disabled, i.e. now limited in what you can do, it can be difficult to get a higher paying job. Your costs of living can go up while your income stays the same. Your costs of living can also go down or even become zero. New insurance policies typically will not cover existing or on-going medical conditions, and the cycle continues. This can leave you stuck in a rot and perhaps a helpless position.

The good news is that we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus!

1 Peter 1:18-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁸ You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, ¹⁹ But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

We have been redeemed from sickness, poverty, and diseases. Have faith that God will take care of all your needs regardless of what they are. God will cover everything that your insurance will not cover, God will provide for you to cover all your new costs of living. He will make a way for you in your career where there seems to be no way. He will even top up your pension funds. He will take you to new heights and give you new wisdom. He works in ways that we can not see. He knows the end from the beginning. Have faith and live by faith.