Little Will is responding well. He is more awake now and all of the sedation seems to have worn
off. This morning, his eyes were open and he was looking around for quite a while. This is
good news since the doc was concerned about him not moving much and always sleeping.
They had him breathing on his own yesterday, but they decided to put him back on the machine
for the night. The doc lives 20-30 minutes away and we were in the midst of a typhoon so
if there were any problems, he would have a hard time getting to the hospital, so we thought it
better to keep him on the machine til this morning, and then again let him breathe on his own,
and if all goes well, they will then remove the tube. Then, finally, he won't look like the
bionic baby!
Christine is still experiencing the high b.p. but the doc will let her go home when Will is
discharged, and maybe all of our blood pressures will go down!!
I have many experiences to share with you, but I want to wait til the whole family is safe and
sound at home.
Follow @ddevonshire
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Will Alert
Little Will is steadily improving in his breathing. He is down to 22 machine breaths a minute and
40% oxygen. That means he is breathing more on his own . My wife is still dealing with the
high blood pressure but they will probably let her go home and deal with it with medicine.
Although they have taken him off of the sedation, he is still sluggish and the doctor wants him
to move more. Therefore, I spent time bothering him til he woke up and cried (but the tube down
his throat prevents any noise only grimacing faces) and got a little active. The doc is due in today
(Thursday the 28th here) around noon (midnight East Coast time). We should know more then.
Keep praying!
Follow @ddevonshire
40% oxygen. That means he is breathing more on his own . My wife is still dealing with the
high blood pressure but they will probably let her go home and deal with it with medicine.
Although they have taken him off of the sedation, he is still sluggish and the doctor wants him
to move more. Therefore, I spent time bothering him til he woke up and cried (but the tube down
his throat prevents any noise only grimacing faces) and got a little active. The doc is due in today
(Thursday the 28th here) around noon (midnight East Coast time). We should know more then.
Keep praying!
Follow @ddevonshire
Monday, September 25, 2006
The Will Update #2
Good News to report! William is improving! They are again weaning him from the oxygen
and the ventilator. His oxygen saturation levels are good. All is looking good. Christine is
still having problems with the blood pressure, but we hope that it will normalize soon. I
enclose a picture of Will in his sunbathing outfit...the cover on his eyes is to protect him while he
is receiving the photo therapy. Thanks again for all of the notes, emails, prayers, and support.
We are truly thankful, that though we are separated by miles, we are still part of a great family. Follow @ddevonshire
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The Will Update
Christine is still experiencing High Blood Pressure and still in the hospital. Little Will took a step backwards last night. They had to increase his oxygen, he couldn’t quite tolerate the lower lever. His lungs are not quite as good as the second set of x-rays but still better than the first. His little feet and hands were cold and a little purple, plus he was turning a little yellow, so they have him back underneath the light to get rid of the jaundice and hopefully the new oxygen level will help his circulation. He is moving quite a bit, even though he is supposed to be sedated and resting. We still believe God that everything will be fine, just a little more time on the respirator and in the incubator. The ICU nurses are getting used to seeing me come in at all hours of the day and night to check on him and I believe he is getting good care. I am hopeful the next update will be more positive. Keep Praying!
Thank you for all of your support.
Follow @ddevonshire
Thank you for all of your support.
Follow @ddevonshire
Friday, September 22, 2006
Baby Update
I am staying at the hospital, so I only get to the computer in the mornings when I return to
shower and change, but I wanted to thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to
hold up little William in prayer. Mom (Sis. D) is improving and was able to go and see the baby
yesterday for the first time since he was born, she was happy about that. William seems to be
responding well to the medicine given to him to help develop his lungs (Survanta a surfactant) and
the doctor hopes to start backing him off of the respirator bit by bit beginning today. I enclose
a few of the early pics, not too flattering with the tubes, but a handsome boy nonetheless. Notice
the dent in his chest, that was one sign of the respiratory distress syndrome, but it is now almost
gone! Thank You Jesus!! God bless and thanks for your prayers. Again if you want to call us,
from America dial (011639154465866) or send a text message to that number. Follow @ddevonshire
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Baby makes three...Please pray
William Drew Devonshire, anxious to make his grand arrival into the world, was born Sept 21, 7:20pm. He weighed in at 6.4 lbs and 49 centimeters. Mom was having a bit of blood pressure problems, so the doctors had to deliver him early. He is in intensive care unit on a respirator and in an incubator. He is responding well to the medicine that they have given him to help develop his lungs, yet we earnestly request your prayers. Mom is recovering well. If any would like to call, you can reach us at (from America 011639154465866).
I will try and provide pics etc soon.
David
Follow @ddevonshire
I will try and provide pics etc soon.
David
Follow @ddevonshire
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
FW: Forward
Because of me,
The Political process has come to a grinding halt
The safety of America is in jeopardy
The health of mankind is at stake
The financial blessings have halted for millions...all at my doorstep
All of my friends are suffering
Whew! I must be a pretty wicked person! Well this is what all of the emails tell me.
If you don't forward this...The chain of blessing will stop, the evil villains will have their way, multitudes will fall prey to some evil lurking in the shadows.
I confess. I am not a forwarder. I don't forward all of the emails to everyone in my contact book alerting them to a supposed disaster. I know, I am that dangerous individual, where the cause of freedom stops, right in my inbox. "If you care about your friends, forward this to them..." Truth is, I care about my friends and figure they don't need their inbox cluttered with another "Forward this or else!" plea.
It is not that I don't care, I do. Yet I know that most of these warnings are hoaxes, I have not yet been able to determine why someone would want to create a phony cause to campaign for, but I do know to check on things.
Enter: http://www.snopes.com/
Here is a website that you can check to see if this latest warning is real, or is this picture real, or is this health alert real etc. By the way, the picture above, as surreal as it looks, is genuine. (Bitterroot National Forest fire 8/2000)
In the meantime, if it lands in my inbox and if the fate of the free world depends on it being forwarded...we are in a lot of trouble! Follow @ddevonshire
Sunday, September 17, 2006
What if they Hadn’t?
We often read of the great things that God did in response to men and women who prayed or responded to God. But have you ever thought about what would have happened if they hadn’t?
When Moses when on the mountain top God told him the people had sinned and that He was going to destroy them.
But Moses prayed.
What if he had not? What if he said “Hmmm, a whole nation from me….that sounds pretty good!” If he would not have prayed, they all would have been destroyed!
What about when Zimri brought in that Moabitish woman to his tent. The whole congregation was praying and repenting because of this same sin, but this man decided to keep on sinning. God was angry. In the midst of all of this happening, there was a man by the name of Phinehas that saw this and rose up with a spear and slew them both.
He acted and spared the whole congregation.
What if he had not?
The whole congregation would have perished!
Num 25:11
(11) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
We can not underestimate the power of one man’s prayer, or one man’s action.
One man once said “If it is to be, it is up to me!” Follow @ddevonshire
When Moses when on the mountain top God told him the people had sinned and that He was going to destroy them.
But Moses prayed.
What if he had not? What if he said “Hmmm, a whole nation from me….that sounds pretty good!” If he would not have prayed, they all would have been destroyed!
What about when Zimri brought in that Moabitish woman to his tent. The whole congregation was praying and repenting because of this same sin, but this man decided to keep on sinning. God was angry. In the midst of all of this happening, there was a man by the name of Phinehas that saw this and rose up with a spear and slew them both.
He acted and spared the whole congregation.
What if he had not?
The whole congregation would have perished!
Num 25:11
(11) Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
We can not underestimate the power of one man’s prayer, or one man’s action.
One man once said “If it is to be, it is up to me!” Follow @ddevonshire
Saturday, September 16, 2006
If
Even if you have read this before, you will probably enjoy reading it again.
DCD
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!
-- Rudyard Kipling Follow @ddevonshire
DCD
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!
-- Rudyard Kipling Follow @ddevonshire
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Filipino Superstitions
Ok, you really have to be careful what you say or do. The Philippines is a land of many superstitions. Albert told me recently he was visiting a family and told the parent their newborn was cute and then they would not let him leave until he applied some of his saliva on the newborn!
Others include:
1. If you see plastic flying in the air, if you catch it, it will make you strong.
2. If you are sweeping at night, you must say "Excuse me" to the spirits you may be hitting.
3. If lightning strikes a tree, you should climb to the top and get the "Eye of the Lightning" a tooth shaped part of the tree and make a necklace out of it. It will make you strong, when your chicken is to go to the cockfight, dip this eye of the lightning in it's bath water and it will win.
4. Is you step on a "Nuno" (spirit) you will become sick or wounded.
5. If you drop a fork on the ground accidentally you will have a male visitor.
6. If you are pregnant you can not attend a baptism of another baby or your child and the other will become rivals. (One version says you can't be the godmother)
7. Don't sing while cooking or you will become widowed.
8. Don't rest your head on your chin or you are awaiting bad luck to happen.
9. Don't sleep with your feet towards the door or you are waiting to die.
Thank God, that He delivers from the fears and bondage of these superstitions! Follow @ddevonshire
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Four Language Household
Have you ever lived in a four language household? I speak English and am learning Tagalog. Rev. Gaudario speaks English and Tagalog and is learning Kapampangan. Ai Ai works for us and she speaks Visayan and Tagalog and is learning Kapampangan and English. My wife of course speaks English. So it is not uncommon to hear someone say something in English, respond in Tagalog and a third person agree in Kapampangan. We are all learning, one sister came over to the house, who is fluent in all four languages and seemlessly switched between them, we hate her :-) ....no, not really.
One must be careful though, the same word in Visayan "to kill", is the word in Tagalog "to grill" so if we ask Ai Ai to grill something....well it may not be pretty. Follow @ddevonshire
One must be careful though, the same word in Visayan "to kill", is the word in Tagalog "to grill" so if we ask Ai Ai to grill something....well it may not be pretty. Follow @ddevonshire
Monday, September 11, 2006
Daily Devotional
There is a new daily devotional as part of the Good News at NTCC site.
Check it out: Daily Devotional Follow @ddevonshire
Check it out: Daily Devotional Follow @ddevonshire
Philippines Update
It has been a while since I have given you a personal update, so I will try to fill in the details of what has been happening over here.
First, we do want to thank all of you that continue to pray for us and have given for the support of the works in the Philippines. You are holding the ropes for us and we are thankful.
On the church front, we just finished a wonderful weekend in God which saw many at the altars praying for forgiveness of sins and also for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God touched us in a special way and renewed our strength.
The bible college is beginning week two of a new semester, and we have several new students and there is an excitement as we learn together. We are still looking for land to purchase for the new bible college and have located several portions of land. Please keep this in your prayers.
Personally, Sis. Devonshire is in the closing weeks of her pregnancy and like many at this stage, she is ready to have the baby! We are excited about little Will (William) making his grand arrival and are making preparations. Please pray for the safe arrival of our son and quick recovery of my wife.
Rev. Gaudario is as faithful as ever "Bata ko iyon!" He's my man...My right hand man, he tortures me in the mornings with my Tagalog lessons, and I torture him in the evenings as he interprets for me in bible college by using idioms! There is hope on the horizon for him leaving the ranks of the single, there are four single bible college girls enrolled and all of the men in the school are already married!
It is rainy season here, but God has given us several weeks respite from any really bad weather, and we are thankful.
I hope this will suffice for a brief update. Drop an email to us when you get a chance. Correspondence from our family and friends is always welcome! Follow @ddevonshire
First, we do want to thank all of you that continue to pray for us and have given for the support of the works in the Philippines. You are holding the ropes for us and we are thankful.
On the church front, we just finished a wonderful weekend in God which saw many at the altars praying for forgiveness of sins and also for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God touched us in a special way and renewed our strength.
The bible college is beginning week two of a new semester, and we have several new students and there is an excitement as we learn together. We are still looking for land to purchase for the new bible college and have located several portions of land. Please keep this in your prayers.
Personally, Sis. Devonshire is in the closing weeks of her pregnancy and like many at this stage, she is ready to have the baby! We are excited about little Will (William) making his grand arrival and are making preparations. Please pray for the safe arrival of our son and quick recovery of my wife.
Rev. Gaudario is as faithful as ever "Bata ko iyon!" He's my man...My right hand man, he tortures me in the mornings with my Tagalog lessons, and I torture him in the evenings as he interprets for me in bible college by using idioms! There is hope on the horizon for him leaving the ranks of the single, there are four single bible college girls enrolled and all of the men in the school are already married!
It is rainy season here, but God has given us several weeks respite from any really bad weather, and we are thankful.
I hope this will suffice for a brief update. Drop an email to us when you get a chance. Correspondence from our family and friends is always welcome! Follow @ddevonshire
Some of the family
My wife and I
Me and my mom, before we left for the Philippines (Mom was crying a little)
Follow @ddevonshire
Me and my mom, before we left for the Philippines (Mom was crying a little)
Myself, my father, and my grandfather. We are about to add another generation, William is on the way! Due October 16!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Look Up
Mar 8:23-25
(23) And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
(24) And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
(25) After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
The story is told of a young sailor who went to sea for the first time. The ship encountered a fierce storm and the sailor was told to climb the mast to trim the sails. Higher and higher he climbed and then made a serious mistake, he looked down! He started to lose his balance and become scared. An older sailor who was watching from underneath cried to him "Look Up! Look up!" He did and he was able to regain his balance and finish the job.
Where are you looking today? Many lose their balance and stop their progress when they look back at their past, or dwell on their mistakes or failures. Others look to the side, looking for help from friends and family. Yet when we look up, look to Jesus, encouragement comes. Our spiritual balance is regained, we can finish the job that He has given to us.
In our bible reading, we find the blind man looking up right after Jesus touched him. How often he must have felt his way along, head stooped to protect himself, and yet once Jesus touched him, He looked Up!
In the midst of your hardship; Look Up!
In the struggles your going through; Look Up!
In your financial battles; Look Up!
When you are out of balance; Look Up!
Let Jesus touch you and Look Up today... Follow @ddevonshire
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Living Arrangements
This house sits in the middle of all this water. The only way to get to it is to wade through the water. Everytime they go home, they get wet, everytime they leave from home, they get wet. (Again these are from my phone camera, excuse the low quality...) Follow @ddevonshire
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
God's Unusual Path to Victory
2Ch 20:12-13
(12) O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
(13) And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
When you think of ways to win a battle, they usually include:
They worshipped!
One of the hardest things to do in the midst of the battle is to lift your eyes to God and begin to thank and praise and worship Him. We are often consumed with the problem, but God shows us if we will praise the problem solver, He will take care of it!
They didn't look at the enemy....what is the chaff to the wheat? Those that are sincere will recognize pure faultfinding, criticism, and jealousy and we learn to avoid that so that we may keep our hearts right, our spirits pure and stay sweet in our soul.
They believed God! and they believed the men of God!
V20b "...Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."
Is it any wonder then, that the enemy of our soul tries to get us to doubt our leaders?
Worship, praise and faith resulted in the victory. It isn't the world's method, it is God's method, and it always works!
2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
(12) O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
(13) And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
When you think of ways to win a battle, they usually include:
- Having Intelligence or information about the enemy
- Having superior forces
- Taking action, Fight!
- Watching, or keeping your eyes on the enemy
- Argue your point
- V12 They had no intelligence or special information..."neither know we what to do"
- V12 They didn't have superior forces... "this great company that cometh against us;"
- V13 They took no action, they just stood there..."all Judah stood before the LORD"
- V12 They didn't look at the enemy..."O our God...our eyes are upon thee"
- V4 They didn't argue with the enemy..."Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD:"
They worshipped!
One of the hardest things to do in the midst of the battle is to lift your eyes to God and begin to thank and praise and worship Him. We are often consumed with the problem, but God shows us if we will praise the problem solver, He will take care of it!
They didn't look at the enemy....what is the chaff to the wheat? Those that are sincere will recognize pure faultfinding, criticism, and jealousy and we learn to avoid that so that we may keep our hearts right, our spirits pure and stay sweet in our soul.
They believed God! and they believed the men of God!
V20b "...Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper."
Is it any wonder then, that the enemy of our soul tries to get us to doubt our leaders?
Worship, praise and faith resulted in the victory. It isn't the world's method, it is God's method, and it always works!
2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Monday, September 04, 2006
The Tongue of the Learned
(Isa 50:4) The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Recently I found myself trying to repair a hammer whose handle was broken. A small plug of wood was still stuck in the hammer head and my mission was to drive out that wood so I could insert the replacement handle. Simple enough. So I thought. I tried using a screwdriver to drive it out, a chisel to cut it out, and then finally used a drill to drill out the remaining wood and was finally able to put the other handle on.
I am glad I had access to the tools to get the task done.
God has issued me a set of tools at salvation. I have the tools to get the task done. One of the greatest tools given me is my tongue. I can choose to use it to build up someone, or to destroy. It is powerful either way.
Once as a new Christian, my pastor (Pastor Davis) told me he needed to talk to me. I was nervous, but as he shared his concern for certain issues in my life, he finished with this: “Brother, I love you, and what you do with your ministry is up to you.”
I floated out of that class room that night. Those words of concern about my future, coupled with his words of love made an impact and helped me to make right decisions about my future.
How different are the words of Hymenaeus and Philetus whom the bible describes
(2Ti2:17) And their word will eat as doth a canker:
Or as a gangrene, it will gnaw away and destroy anything it comes in contact with!
Unfortunately, I have met with some who fit this bill. They use their God given tool to destroy and tear others down.
You have a tool.
You have a choice.
Let us pray that we may have “The tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:” Isaiah 50:4 Follow @ddevonshire
Recently I found myself trying to repair a hammer whose handle was broken. A small plug of wood was still stuck in the hammer head and my mission was to drive out that wood so I could insert the replacement handle. Simple enough. So I thought. I tried using a screwdriver to drive it out, a chisel to cut it out, and then finally used a drill to drill out the remaining wood and was finally able to put the other handle on.
I am glad I had access to the tools to get the task done.
God has issued me a set of tools at salvation. I have the tools to get the task done. One of the greatest tools given me is my tongue. I can choose to use it to build up someone, or to destroy. It is powerful either way.
Once as a new Christian, my pastor (Pastor Davis) told me he needed to talk to me. I was nervous, but as he shared his concern for certain issues in my life, he finished with this: “Brother, I love you, and what you do with your ministry is up to you.”
I floated out of that class room that night. Those words of concern about my future, coupled with his words of love made an impact and helped me to make right decisions about my future.
How different are the words of Hymenaeus and Philetus whom the bible describes
(2Ti2:17) And their word will eat as doth a canker:
Or as a gangrene, it will gnaw away and destroy anything it comes in contact with!
Unfortunately, I have met with some who fit this bill. They use their God given tool to destroy and tear others down.
You have a tool.
You have a choice.
Let us pray that we may have “The tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:” Isaiah 50:4 Follow @ddevonshire
Sunday, September 03, 2006
The Pastor's Heart - By Jack Hyles
This poem including the introduction is from Jack Hyles. It has been a blessing to me.
One day the load was especially heavy and the burdens were many. I had so many appointments that night and to be quite frank, I rebelled a little bit at having to solve the problems of others when I had so many myself. After counseling with many people, it was about midnight. As I started to go home, I had the following thoughts. Please read this poem very carefully.
"I have a burden, Pastor, that
I'd like to lay on you."
I listened, tho he never knew
I had a burden too.
I took a tearful look toward mine;
Then his came into view.
'Twas plain to see my burden was
The larger of the two.
I saw his load alongside mine,
And, tho they both were real,
The yoke he bore was made of wood,
And mine was made of steel.
To him I said, "Come unto me;
I'll gladly carry thine";
Then whispered unto selfishness,
"But who will carry mine?"
I softly laid my burden down
To help him his to bear,
While knowing that my heavy load
I'm not allowed to share.
I'll help him with his burden, then
Regain mine after while,
When I will sigh and weep once more,
While now I force a smile.
I felt the CHAINS OF BONDAGE till
A CAPTIVE came to me.
He bade me help him break the bands,
And aid him to be free.
I saw the fetters binding him,
And felt a pity pain.
For his were made of little rope,
And mine of heavy chain.
I laid aside my heavy chains,
So he, my help, could borrow.
I'll help free him of bondage now,
And think of mine tomorrow.
A DOUBTER knocked at study door;
I had an urge to groan,
"Why bring your pebble doubt to me,
When mine is made of stone?"
I smiled at him and listened, while
Believing in my doubt.
I laid it down reluctantly,
And feigned about a happy shout.
I sat ALONE in darkened room,
And felt a shadow's knife.
Another came to share with me
Some darkness in his life.
As I compared my night with his,
His dark possessed a lack.
For his was just an evening shade,
While mine was midnight black.
I slowly laid my nighttime down,
To help him seek for light.
I'll tread my dimming path again,
When I have made his bright.
A TROUBLED SOUL came to my door,
A problem to confide.
I had a problem, too, that day;
'Twas hard for me to hide.
My problem was a mountain steep,
And his was just a hill.
My problem was an ocean wide,
And his a tiny nil.
Yet, 'tis my lot to fill his need,
And put mine on the shelf.
For I must lay my heartache down,
And hide it from myself.
He told me of a broken heart,
While mine was breaking too.
I told him of a mending God
Who maketh all things new.
He told me of his thirsty soul;
I gave him living water.
He said he was a broken vase;
I told him of the Potter.
Another came when I was SICK
To say he had the flu.
His fever was a hundred-one,
And mine a hundred-two.
Another came when I was FAINT,
To say that he was weak.
Another came when I was DUMB,
To say he could not speak.
Another WEEPING SEEKER came,
For me, his tears to dry.
I went alone and wiped my eyes,
Then told him not to cry.
Another came when I was TIRED,
To say he needed rest.
I lifted him with weary arms,
And tried to give him zest.
AND NOW, IT'S LATE, and all have gone,
Each one to his abode.
So I must find my problems, and
Regain my heavy load.
Where is the burden I had borne?
I had it while ago!
Where is the problem I must solve?
I left it here, I know!
Where is the darkness I once knew?
I now see only light.
The chains, the tears, the pains, the fears,
Are nowhere now in sight!
I cannot find my broken heart!
Where is my fevered brow?
I have a song! the tears are gone!
I cannot find them now!
My sickness, now, bath turned to health!
And trust replaceth fright!
Assurance covers all my doubts;
My darkness now is light!
I heard a voice from Heaven say
"My child, 'tis always true:
When you take care of others' needs,
I will take care of you."
Follow @ddevonshire
One day the load was especially heavy and the burdens were many. I had so many appointments that night and to be quite frank, I rebelled a little bit at having to solve the problems of others when I had so many myself. After counseling with many people, it was about midnight. As I started to go home, I had the following thoughts. Please read this poem very carefully.
"I have a burden, Pastor, that
I'd like to lay on you."
I listened, tho he never knew
I had a burden too.
I took a tearful look toward mine;
Then his came into view.
'Twas plain to see my burden was
The larger of the two.
I saw his load alongside mine,
And, tho they both were real,
The yoke he bore was made of wood,
And mine was made of steel.
To him I said, "Come unto me;
I'll gladly carry thine";
Then whispered unto selfishness,
"But who will carry mine?"
I softly laid my burden down
To help him his to bear,
While knowing that my heavy load
I'm not allowed to share.
I'll help him with his burden, then
Regain mine after while,
When I will sigh and weep once more,
While now I force a smile.
I felt the CHAINS OF BONDAGE till
A CAPTIVE came to me.
He bade me help him break the bands,
And aid him to be free.
I saw the fetters binding him,
And felt a pity pain.
For his were made of little rope,
And mine of heavy chain.
I laid aside my heavy chains,
So he, my help, could borrow.
I'll help free him of bondage now,
And think of mine tomorrow.
A DOUBTER knocked at study door;
I had an urge to groan,
"Why bring your pebble doubt to me,
When mine is made of stone?"
I smiled at him and listened, while
Believing in my doubt.
I laid it down reluctantly,
And feigned about a happy shout.
I sat ALONE in darkened room,
And felt a shadow's knife.
Another came to share with me
Some darkness in his life.
As I compared my night with his,
His dark possessed a lack.
For his was just an evening shade,
While mine was midnight black.
I slowly laid my nighttime down,
To help him seek for light.
I'll tread my dimming path again,
When I have made his bright.
A TROUBLED SOUL came to my door,
A problem to confide.
I had a problem, too, that day;
'Twas hard for me to hide.
My problem was a mountain steep,
And his was just a hill.
My problem was an ocean wide,
And his a tiny nil.
Yet, 'tis my lot to fill his need,
And put mine on the shelf.
For I must lay my heartache down,
And hide it from myself.
He told me of a broken heart,
While mine was breaking too.
I told him of a mending God
Who maketh all things new.
He told me of his thirsty soul;
I gave him living water.
He said he was a broken vase;
I told him of the Potter.
Another came when I was SICK
To say he had the flu.
His fever was a hundred-one,
And mine a hundred-two.
Another came when I was FAINT,
To say that he was weak.
Another came when I was DUMB,
To say he could not speak.
Another WEEPING SEEKER came,
For me, his tears to dry.
I went alone and wiped my eyes,
Then told him not to cry.
Another came when I was TIRED,
To say he needed rest.
I lifted him with weary arms,
And tried to give him zest.
AND NOW, IT'S LATE, and all have gone,
Each one to his abode.
So I must find my problems, and
Regain my heavy load.
Where is the burden I had borne?
I had it while ago!
Where is the problem I must solve?
I left it here, I know!
Where is the darkness I once knew?
I now see only light.
The chains, the tears, the pains, the fears,
Are nowhere now in sight!
I cannot find my broken heart!
Where is my fevered brow?
I have a song! the tears are gone!
I cannot find them now!
My sickness, now, bath turned to health!
And trust replaceth fright!
Assurance covers all my doubts;
My darkness now is light!
I heard a voice from Heaven say
"My child, 'tis always true:
When you take care of others' needs,
I will take care of you."
Follow @ddevonshire
Saturday, September 02, 2006
You Know!
There was a little boy in our church that was reading a children’s book at home. It had a recurring line “You know! But you just don’t want to say it!” It became his favorite saying.
How old are you?
“You know! But you just don’t want to say it!”
What is your name?
“You know! But you just don’t want to say it!”
Eventually the phrase was shortened to just “You know!!”
Sometimes this childish phrase fits the situation, as in the case of Jehoshaphat and Ahab.
Jehoshaphat had visited Ahab and while he was there, Ahab flattered him and convinced him to send his armies to fight together with Ahab’s armies. Yet even in the midst of this bad decision, Jehoshaphat wanted to hear what God said about it. Ahab called 400 of his prophets and with one voice they told the two kings “Go up! You will win.”
The only problem was something didn’t ring true in their prophesying. Jehoshaphat recognized this, and asked “Don’t you have any other prophets? I really want to hear what God says.”
Well…I do…but he never prophesies good about me.
Nonetheless, Jehoshaphat convinced Ahab to call Micaiah. When Micaiah arrives, at first he goes along with what everyone else says. Now, even Ahab can recognize this is not the truth, and admonishes Micaiah to tell the truth, Micaiah did, and Ahab ignores the warning. Jehoshaphat, who wanted to hear what God would say, doesn’t want to believe what God said. Off to battle they go, and soon Ahab dies.
How often, the false prophets speak, and deep within, we know it is not the truth.
“You know!”
The fault-finders criticize and bend the truth…
“You know!”
Leaders are attacked because of their stand for righteousness and separation…
“You know!”
The Holy Spirit bears witness within and we know what is right. That was one of the things that was so refreshing when I came to NTCC, I knew what they were saying was right.
When others criticize, and attack, we know what spirit they are of, and maybe, just maybe, it is time to say it!
Follow @ddevonshire
How old are you?
“You know! But you just don’t want to say it!”
What is your name?
“You know! But you just don’t want to say it!”
Eventually the phrase was shortened to just “You know!!”
Sometimes this childish phrase fits the situation, as in the case of Jehoshaphat and Ahab.
Jehoshaphat had visited Ahab and while he was there, Ahab flattered him and convinced him to send his armies to fight together with Ahab’s armies. Yet even in the midst of this bad decision, Jehoshaphat wanted to hear what God said about it. Ahab called 400 of his prophets and with one voice they told the two kings “Go up! You will win.”
The only problem was something didn’t ring true in their prophesying. Jehoshaphat recognized this, and asked “Don’t you have any other prophets? I really want to hear what God says.”
Well…I do…but he never prophesies good about me.
Nonetheless, Jehoshaphat convinced Ahab to call Micaiah. When Micaiah arrives, at first he goes along with what everyone else says. Now, even Ahab can recognize this is not the truth, and admonishes Micaiah to tell the truth, Micaiah did, and Ahab ignores the warning. Jehoshaphat, who wanted to hear what God would say, doesn’t want to believe what God said. Off to battle they go, and soon Ahab dies.
How often, the false prophets speak, and deep within, we know it is not the truth.
“You know!”
The fault-finders criticize and bend the truth…
“You know!”
Leaders are attacked because of their stand for righteousness and separation…
“You know!”
The Holy Spirit bears witness within and we know what is right. That was one of the things that was so refreshing when I came to NTCC, I knew what they were saying was right.
When others criticize, and attack, we know what spirit they are of, and maybe, just maybe, it is time to say it!
Follow @ddevonshire
Friday, September 01, 2006
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