Heather Ricks - The slumber of my son is peaceful, but the waking hours bring the storm.
Specialists from every field of medicine, including psychologists and spiritual leaders, have failed to diagnose the strange phenomenon happening to my son.
He has been prescribed various types of medicine, yet his symptoms have only seen ripples of hope before he fades back into pain.
He has good days where we think he is pulling through, and other days he can barely open his eyes or walk.
Many offer advice that usually begins, 'Have you tried this?' or 'Could it be this?' I have to stifle my sarcasm, knowing they are only trying to help.
If specialists are stumped, chances are good that sleeping with a vaporizer or giving him a special vitamin is not the solution.
That certainly would have saved us a lot of money and sleepless nights.
Someone once asked if I was tempted to walk away from my faith. To be honest, I had not even seen that as an option.
The only hope to which I cling is that I worship a big God who created my son and intimately knows him. That does not mean I have not become angry with God or flooded Him with questions. I am human. 
Thank God my sobbing and often incomprehensible
prayers are heard, and He
holds me close.
Understanding that God
allows suffering for His
glory is a hard lesson to
comprehend.
I certainly would not have chosen to have my son go through debilitating attacks of pain.
However, God does not necessarily do what I feel is the right plan of action or provide the easiest journey. He does things for His glory, and I must trust His plans which I do not see.
Knowing this does not mean I stop feeling emotions or stop searching for answers. Knowing this simply tells me that God is working through my tears.
No matter what your circumstances, know this––your life is in God’s hands. Trust that He sees beyond your feeble sight and that all things are for His glory.
Through it all, even the endless valleys, worship the One True God, for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
To Him Be the Glory - Heather Ricks
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:36 NIV
(Google image added)
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and photostock.
Heather Ricks is an SIM
missionary who has lived
in Ghana, West Africa.
She uses writing as an act
of worship and storytelling
She uses writing as an act
of worship and storytelling
as a way to draw others
into the presence of God.
She has published two short stories,
each to a secular audience with the
purpose of exhibiting the loving attributes of God.
Currently living in the United States, Heather utilizes her talents as a storyteller to train new missionaries in how best to share their own stories in order to connect people with the work of God around the world.
Currently living in the United States, Heather utilizes her talents as a storyteller to train new missionaries in how best to share their own stories in order to connect people with the work of God around the world.
Visit Heather Ricks at thericksjourney.comor email her at heather.ricks@sim.org.
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Fiction ~ Devotionals ~ Christian Living
To Make A Pearl
by James Cagle
The forming of a priceless pearl
Is wrought in secret, where men can’t see.
Between the shellfish’ leadened palms;
On the floor of the deep billowing sea.
Affliction is the main ingredient,
Rich lustrous beauty is created through pain.
The purest beauty comes through suffering,
Such wisdom of God we just can’t explain.
One grain of sand in the shell’s flesh
Is the seed that germinates the coveted prize.
Through sore affliction it is worked upon,
Until a pearl, most precious, is realized.
Similar is God’s working with us
When He’s refining and molding a saint.
As through His hands, He lovingly brings
Sorrow and grief, our soul to acquaint.
The priceless pearl cannot be made
Unless first an offence enters the shell.
Likewise heartaches come our way,
But first through Christ in Whom we dwell.
The shellfish’ pain generates the substance
To create a rare and priceless pearl,
Likewise our Lord, when we are in pain
Gives us His grace to fashion His pearl.
Without affliction there would be no pearls
Nor would there ever be a godly man
For pain is essential in creating a pearl
As well as many sorrows, a godly man.
Our Lord we know was a man of sorrows
And well acquainted with grief
He knows therefore what we’re able to bear
And He knows when to bring us relief.
A godly man is molded by affliction.
Christ’ beauty is created in him through pain.
He suffers in ways that most men can’t see
Before God’s pearl is the world’s gain.
Remember now when you see a pearl
That you’re seeing triumph over trial,
You’re seeing victory over affliction,
And know on God’s face there is a smile.
So, endure your sore and painful afflictions
And remember that God is making a pearl.
As His love and grace are sealed upon you
You’ll show His beauty to a sin-sick world."
James Cagle
choose to have some
troubles and pain, may
we trust You during them.
Help us remember, You
are creating something in
us that will bring us joy
in overcoming the
challenges.
May I see Your Hand in what is going on in my life, and to understand that You give grace to see me through it all.
I ask this is Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: John 24:2 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."
Today’s quote: Our Daily Bread
“God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.” —Suffield
“God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.” —Suffield
Some thoughts today: We're a vessel through whom the Holy Spirit flows to meet the needs of others.
- The issue is to obey God's leading to pray for someone. The Holy Spirit takes it then, to heal them.
- Just because you pray, and something happened, doesn't mean you have the gift for it. God heals through any willing child of His, who prays for others. We can see healings, miracles, or prophesy working at any time, as well as for those who have those special giftings.
- The issue is to obey God's leading to pray for someone. The Holy Spirit takes it then, to heal them.
- Just because you pray, and something happened, doesn't mean you have the gift for it. God heals through any willing child of His, who prays for others. We can see healings, miracles, or prophesy working at any time, as well as for those who have those special giftings.
What to do every
day when you wake up…
(shared by Danica Sinclair Dunphey, —from
the
sermon series on Ephesians by Richard
Sinclair.
Listen to the messages on http://www.cfconline.org/
“Wake up and remind yourself that God doesn’t
exist for you – you exist for Him. Remind yourself that He is not your servant
– you are His servant. Remind yourself that He owes you nothing but that you
owe Him everything.
Wake up and remind yourself
that you were purchased for God by the precious blood of
Christ, the costly blood of Christ, that God spared nothing in pursuing you.
And that the life you now live is not your own; you belong to Him.”
12th- Tuesday’s post: #109 Emotional Dependency
C. Peter Wagner
14th- Thursday's post: #110 Physical Dependency
C. Peter Wagner
16th- Saturday's post: My Cooking Will Be Grand!
Debbie McEwen
17th- Sunday's post: I didn't Quit!
James Cagle
A popular post:
C. Peter Wagner
14th- Thursday's post: #110 Physical Dependency
C. Peter Wagner
16th- Saturday's post: My Cooking Will Be Grand!
Debbie McEwen
17th- Sunday's post: I didn't Quit!
James Cagle
A popular post:
The Legend of the Circle Maker Mark Batterson -
“Young children danced
in the downpour like it was
the first rainfall they’d
ever seen.
And it was.
Parents threw back their heads, opened their mouths, and caught raindrops like they were libations. And they were."
AuthorsDen.com
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Where authors and readers come together!
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Bridal Shower Devotional:
Bridal
Wisdom for Women
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
My book in paperback $7.95
(Check
out the Reviews on the
Kindle page of my book)
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)
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