RUMINATIONS OF A REVEREND

The whirlwind of these past few weeks has begun to calm and has revealed the scattered debris that we will need to start picking up to move forward. But by God’s grace we will. For those of you that haven’t heard, here is quick recap. On July 4 th , we received a call from my mother-in-law that Steve (my father-in-law) was weak, feverish, and slightly confused. My wife and sister-in-law advised her to take him to the emergency room right away. That began an emotional roller coaster that no amusement park could match. Things looked bleak in the beginning, but then signs of improvement encouraged us later in the week. By Thursday evening he had improved enough that he was discharged. We received confirmation of a diagnosis on Friday, which we felt good about. We thought his body would deal with the infection he had and be back to normal soon. Monday and Tuesday, however, seemed to have a set-back, but then on Wednesday morning my wife and I visited with him on the phone and thought he

  When I was young, I remember my mom saying, “It’s not a matter of whether I believe God can do this, I just don’t know if I believe He will do this.” That’s stuck with me because I’ve been there on many occasions in my life. I believe in God’s power, but I question at times His willingness to respond positively to my requests. In Psalm 78, Asaph recalls a time in Israel’s history where they questioned the CAN of God and probably even the WILL of God. The result: God wasn’t pleased with their low view of Him. Read verses 18-22: 18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” 21 Therefore, when the  LORD  heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, 22 because they did not believe in God and did n