Have you ever heard that God is jealous? Yep.
Or at least his word claims that he is.
Check it out.
Exodus 20:5 (+6 for context & blessing)
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Then there is:
Exodus 34:14
14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Then also:
Deuteronomy 4:24
and
Deuteronomy 5:9
and
Deuteronomy 6:15
and
Deuteronomy 32:21
and
Joshua 24:19
and
Nahum 1:2
God is a jealous god. He will not share his creation.
Are you his?
I am his and I have to wonder how I rouse God's jealousy.
Could it be my
hobbies
shopping
no?
collections
relaxation
no?
How about
my children
my husband
my parents
siblings
friends?
I tend to believe that whatever our knuckles get the whitest over holding back from God will be what he uses to bring us back to proper perspective.
When Ephraim was born, it was scary and he was dying. Never once did my husband and I pray that God would take him or us out of that situation; instead, we prayed, "Save this child physically if you intend to save him in your kingdom and use him." He wasn't ours - not then and surely not now - just on loan - as are TJ and Amber, also.
I think the thing I value that God has really challenged my with is my friendships, though. Those relationships that I thought were Christ centered and godly were horrifically and heartbreakingly removed from me . It was as if God was telling me that I valued my friendship with people more that I valued my friendship with him. I focused more on my relationship with God and he returned a dear friend to me. Thank you, Jesus!
Father God,
Keep my heart, mind, soul and strength focused on you. Lifting up praise, honor and glory to you - to the Son - to the Holy Spirit. Help me make much of you for your kingdom. Thank you, for the reminder that you are jealous and will have no other gods before you. Help me to identify the gods in my life so that I may remove them with your help. I love you, Lord. Be Lord in my heart so that others may see you in me.
Showing posts with label Ephraim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephraim. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Yearly Check-up
Today was the day of Ephraim's yearly cardiology appointment. It's hard to stay calm of spirit approaching these appointments, but a necessity of life they are and my cool-cucumber, aloof, flippant approach I'll do.
Every appointment there is this to measure and that to watch. Of course, this and that are all monitored with sophisticated equipment which doesn't help a dad and mom when trying to determine if he is on track. The only measuring stick we have is that he runs circles around almost everyone and goes for more. The bunny has nothing on this boy.
Today's appointment was the regular stuff. Check-in, height, weight, pulse, various extremity pulses, blood pressure, ekg & echo. AND For the first time in 7 years, there is nothing but good stuff to report.
The murmur in his aortic valve: no change (still murmurs, but no change means that it is just a side effect of the corrective surgery and it is growing with him).
The biggie: the left PA branch: this is it: this is the pins and needles part: this is where I hold my breath every cardiology appointment.
...."It's making progress, it's growing" I asked, "you can say it's MAKING PROGRESS???" (remember this has been a concern for 7 years and each appointment is mediocre news, at best.) Dr R.: "Yes, definitely. There's less turbulence & more flow." (meaning there is more room for blood to flow through that artery.) Then!!!! "There is no reason right now for further invasive imaging."
I cry tears of joy because 5 years ago they were sure that he would have to have further heart work done. He was most assuredly going to have to have another OHS (open heart surgery). As he grows it looks like that will be less likely.
We are clear for a year again. So grateful.
I thank God everyday for my children and especially for Ephraim, not only because He is being healed by the finger of God right before our very eyes, but because, God uses this boy in a very special way. Ephraim teaches me everyday to live out loud and just what it means to receive unmerited favor. I don't deserve this child in my life any more than I deserve to have him healed or any more than I deserve a savoir that loves me in spite of my faults. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Ephraim to show your grace and love in a living, breathing way.
Every appointment there is this to measure and that to watch. Of course, this and that are all monitored with sophisticated equipment which doesn't help a dad and mom when trying to determine if he is on track. The only measuring stick we have is that he runs circles around almost everyone and goes for more. The bunny has nothing on this boy.
 |
| Dr. Robinson listening to Ephraim's chest.. This is the doctor God used to stabilized Ephraim the day his was born. He holds a special place in my heart. |
Today's appointment was the regular stuff. Check-in, height, weight, pulse, various extremity pulses, blood pressure, ekg & echo. AND For the first time in 7 years, there is nothing but good stuff to report.
 |
| This is Mr. Gary. He is the first sonographer to find Ephraim's left PA on echo. He's a hero, too! He likes Ephraim because he'll lay still. Bwahahaha! Until Ephraim etst bored and starts flexing his abdominal and chest muscles for something to do. Bwahahaha! Mr. Gary was not as impressed as I was. Bwahahaha! |
The murmur in his aortic valve: no change (still murmurs, but no change means that it is just a side effect of the corrective surgery and it is growing with him).
The biggie: the left PA branch: this is it: this is the pins and needles part: this is where I hold my breath every cardiology appointment.
...."It's making progress, it's growing" I asked, "you can say it's MAKING PROGRESS???" (remember this has been a concern for 7 years and each appointment is mediocre news, at best.) Dr R.: "Yes, definitely. There's less turbulence & more flow." (meaning there is more room for blood to flow through that artery.) Then!!!! "There is no reason right now for further invasive imaging."
I cry tears of joy because 5 years ago they were sure that he would have to have further heart work done. He was most assuredly going to have to have another OHS (open heart surgery). As he grows it looks like that will be less likely.
We are clear for a year again. So grateful.
I thank God everyday for my children and especially for Ephraim, not only because He is being healed by the finger of God right before our very eyes, but because, God uses this boy in a very special way. Ephraim teaches me everyday to live out loud and just what it means to receive unmerited favor. I don't deserve this child in my life any more than I deserve to have him healed or any more than I deserve a savoir that loves me in spite of my faults. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Ephraim to show your grace and love in a living, breathing way.
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