God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, “I will be with him in trouble . . .” (Psalm 91:15). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. “In all these things we are more than conquerors . . .” (Romans 8:37). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are “super-victors” in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.

“Shall tribulation . . . ?” Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).

“Shall . . . distress . . . ?” Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?

“Shall . . . famine . . . ?” Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be “more than conquerors,” even while we are being starved?

Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.

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May 19, 2011

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, when I am connected to You in an intimate relationship, praying without ceasing, that is an ongoing dialog, all is well. Regardless of circumstance or issue, I know that when I am in relationship with You all is right in my world. Thank you for teaching me this.

And God says…”I may never remove the trials or burdens in your life, but I will give you the strength, courage and hope to live victoriously within them.  When you pray for hope, faith and help in a situation please remember that the very best help may be to leave you inside your circumstance so that you develop the character of Christ. So do not try to escape from your trials too early. Let them have their perfect result in you.  You can move from the pain of the trials as you stay connected to Me and experience the love, faith and hope available in Me.”

5 19 11 DJR Journal

Good morning, Lord.

Today’s message was timely as I’ve been diagnosed with Lyme’s … even found a tick on me … bagged it and took it in to the doc.     I’ve learned more than I ever wanted to know about the politics and science and pseudo science of Lyme’s disease.    At the bottom of it all is a rock solid conviction that You and I are going to overcome this thing.   I know that some of it will be me getting more healthy habits going.   I tend to get so focused on “the fight” that I tend to forget to consult the greatest Healer, You, who I have in my corner.    Please forgive me for that.

I do.  And you are right, you are excited to be fighting.  You are wired to fight.   To be for or against something.   For is better.    You are better off being “for health and a strong immune system” than against Lymes.   The difference may be subtle but when you are against something you run more risk of activating negativity that isn’t good for you.  Why not just turn it over and fight for the inverse?

OK,  you know there are more “therapies” and “cures” and treatments out there than a person could even do in their lifetime.    I think I have found a good wise leading MD who is holistic and plan to just pretty much follow his protocol … unless you have better ideas or want  me to do some of the weird stuff….?

I’ll let you know on the weird stuff.   The basic protocols are just good sense for the way I designed the body.    The weird food and lack of excercize you Americans practice causes more than half of your problems and causes you to have such poor final years.   So do the protocol and thrive.

I almost think I can do this thing by myself and You.   Since I’ve found a way to get prescription drugs without prescriptions and most of the rest of what I need is just food selection and supplements from the health food store or internet.     But I’ll find a Lyme Doc for extra help.    I really like the guy who wrote the book (Singleton) and he’s just across the river in Maryland.   He’s not taking new patients.   Should I push to become a patient?

It’s who I made you.   Go ahead and push.   You’ll enjoy the adventure.   Stay tight with me and I’ll lead you….   Out of the ashes you’ll rise……

OK  I love you.