Want Peace that passes understanding?

Is. 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.

T called me yesterday morning and had been reading through old posts on the blog. She was encouraged by what she read, which is an encouragement to me, but it got me thinking about the event that prompted the blog itself.

I would never have guessed in a million years that I would write all this stuff down but it has been a good exercise for me and hopefully others have been encouraged along the way. I have become much faster at entering the posts with all this typing.

So what of the events of that day and all those days in between? I didn't read all the posts I have written but I read a few this morning and smiled when reminded of the times I was writing about or thought "I don't remember what I was thinking about when I wrote this".

I do remember one thing and it is contained in the verse at that top. On March 22, 2008 many people asked me about the calm that I had in the time. Through these 2 1/2 years there have been plenty of times when peace could have abandoned me, and sometimes I have let peace go out the window but I believe more often than not I have had peace because I have kept my mind on Christ and His Word.

Notice that it is God Who keeps us in peace as we keep our minds stayed on Him and as we trust in Him. This is really His work as well. If I depend on myself to be near Him and fixed on Him, I will fail, so I must pray constantly that He would keep me there and in that place I can and do have peace.

Much of our lives are filled with trials and turmoil. We have many opportunities each day to NOT have peace and worry about things; many beyond our control. We can have peace that passes all understanding if we keep our minds fixed on Him and recount His faithfulness toward us. He is faithful. He loves and cares for us. He gives what is best for us and He does not fail. That will bring you peace.

Hope in God.

How can we know? What about tomorrow? Will next year be somewhat similar to this year? Will the kids be healthy? Will grand babies be healthy? Will the economy pick up? What if it doesn't? Am I where I'm supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing? All these questions and a thousand more and yet who holds the answers? Will we get to know before the day actually comes?

A friend of mine reminded me today that "God is never late and He is seldom early" and what a good reminder that is. I think about the timing of events around Grant's cardiac arrest- perfect timing. Not too early and not to late. Literally minutes either direction would have been fatal, but he is still here.

So, in light of all the events in our lives, each day, each year and decade, what is our hope? Think about and recite to yourself the many times God has provided in the most amazing ways, creative ways that only He could have arranged to bring about the perfect ending to the crazy situation you were in. We have to tell ourselves often "Remember when He..." or else we will look at the impossible situation and despair. There is no impossible situation and He orchestrates all these things for our good and His glory.

If He comes too soon then the possibility of us taking the credit for it is greater. If He comes too late then there is despair. Like the waters of the Red Sea- His timing is perfect and often it is the only way out. What will He do tomorrow with your dilemma of today? Watch and see. Wait and hope. And when He does come through don't forget to praise Him aloud so that He will be shown to be your hope.

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,my salvation and my God."

Teach us to number our days

I guess we have anniversaries of our birth to remind us that time is slipping away and where we have been in these years. Just 10 quick years ago we were very much on our way to leaving LS, after 18 years.

Leaving the security of the "known" and stepping headlong into the very much unknown can be a bit scary. Would I change it knowing what I know now? I don't think so.

In the past 10 years we have been allowed to meet some very special people, go some amazing places, meet some gracious people, employ some great friends and work in partnership with many great people. Others often ask me about the adventures we have been on, India, Brazil, Italy and the likes, but in the end it is more about the people than anything else. And not necessarily the people a long way away either.

What does tomorrow, this year or the next 10 years hold? I have no more clue about that than I did when we started on these last 10 years. Do I need to know? Should I know? Would it be better if I knew? I don't think so. God allows today all the trouble and gives blessings for today and when tomorrow comes there will both new mercies and new trials. Let's not rush into those days too quickly.

So from my chair, close to 1/2 a century in this tent, I am thankful for His leading, for His kindness and grace and for the many people He has connected us with over the years to encourage our walk towards the image of His Son.

As the title of the blog states- He is Good!

Glorius Giver

I think if you asked anyone they would say that they keep their word; if they make you a promise they keep it. You would say that, right? When we tell someone something we fully expect to do what we have said and they expect us to do that as well. If we make a promise and people immediately don't expect it to come true then it seems our reputation of being un-trustworthy has preceded us. I have known people who I could not believe really anything they have said- that's sad.

What's the point? If I tell you that I am going to do something what real power do I have to keep that promise? What if I tell you I'll give you a ride to the airport tomorrow but find myself in the hospital? That's no help to you. I didn't do it on purpose but I have no real control over what I make promises about.

So, who can you really trust? We can only fully trust the One Who has not only the will to carry out His promises but the power to control all things connected to those promises. Since God says that He will provide for our needs, what if our needs are immense? Does it matter to God if you need $1m or $5? Is there a difference in His checkbook between these 2 amounts? Since it's all His money anyway, what difference will it make? The only thing He needs to decide is what we really need.

But how do we get what we really need? By asking Him. He says that often we don't have because we don't ask. Now that is pretty dumb on our part, right? If your dad has so much money that you don't even have a good idea how rich he is, and if he is so kind and generous to all who ask him, why would you not go and ask if you needed $100? Are you expecting him to get mad, when he never has before? "Oh, this might be the first time he has gotten mad at me". It seems ridiculous to even talk like that, but don't we practice that way?

In my own heart I believe it is pride that I can do it without asking Him. Shame on me. He delights in keeping His promises and He loves to be asked and to fulfill them. Let us make it our aim to ask quickly and often for Him to keep His Word in helping His children. What a Glorious Giver we serve.

Decisions

So many times there are "forks" in our road and it is difficult to know which ones we are to take. We can look through the Bible for a verse, we can ask friends and family but often it is a decision that we must make with no really clear understanding of what is best. If the decision was about selecting between bad and good it would be easy, but more often than not it is between good and best or better and best.

We thought that last year and even 2008 was a crazy year of changes, and they were, but I think that maybe 2011 may prove to be even more of a roller coaster ride for the Weinbergs.

Interesting enough, yesterday I had some one encourage me, and it was encouraging, with "I appreciate how you live by faith and that you seem to not be leaning on your own understanding". While I appreciate the point of view and encouragement, I responded with "When all you have is faith that God will do what is best it makes it easier to live that way. And when you have as little understanding as I have about what is happening then you must lean on His understanding".

I must confess that there has not really been a time that I knew as little as to what tomorrow might bring while being excited to see what God will do. He is faithful today as much as He has been yesterday and last year. What will He do? What doors will He open and close? It will be fun to watch.

Please pray that we have clarity to do what He would have us to do.

Church

After 16 years of being a member of GBC it hurts my heart to say that I am no longer making it my home. It's too long of a discussion for a blog, but this was one of the hardest and saddest choices I have ever made and yet I believe this is what I must do.
We are now going to be attending Trinity Evangel Church. If you want more info you can send me an email or give me a call.
We must plant ourselves where we have the most opportunity to grow and be conformed to the image of Christ. For us, this is TEC.
God bless you as you strive to follow Him in all that you do this new year.