December 30, 2013

End of Year update

At the end of the year, and at the beginning of the new, it is fitting to look back and to look ahead. There have been good times, and there have been difficult times, but as our beloved Heidelberg Catechism says we are to be thankful in prosperity and patient in adversity. God is teaching us and testing us during both of these times. How did we do? Did we grow in faith, in trust, in love and in grace? God has His purposes for all of the events of our lives.

I never expected to see 2014, and people I expected to be here still, are now gone. The apostle Paul desired to depart and to be with Christ, but God thought it would be better for His Church for Paul to remain, and Paul was submissive to whatever God had in store for him. It is my sincere desire to be an imitator of Paul, even though I long for my suffering to be over and to be with Jesus.

My wife and I estimate that I have now lost 65 - 70 Lbs since the onset of ALS. My clothes are very loose and baggy. I still eat pureed foods, but it is slow going and much less.

Please pray for us, that God would grant a rich outpouring of His Spirit in our hearts that we would experience submission, comfort, peace and joy knowing that He is walking with us and will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).

Jack.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 31, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Dear Brother, thank you for your message of submission and hope. May God grant the desire of your soul - that you would be like His servant Paul - more so, that you would be more like the Christ Who indwells you by His Spirit. Take comfort in His words from John 10:27-30 - He gives you eternal life and you will never perish! hk

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2014 at 1:06 PM

    Happy New Year to both of you as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers continually as you travel down this difficult path.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2014 at 4:04 AM

    In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh.14:2,3 And Jesus prayed: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." Joh.17:24 So wait on the Lord and trust Him, He has gone the darkest path before us and He'll guide you with His councel and afterwards receive you to glory!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    Your Upper Michigan faith-family is with you, Jack & Lena! New mercies await us all daily - and we are trusting the Master with His supply in your daily walk toward Glory! Love from us all - Pastor Randy

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2014 at 9:29 PM

    We love you, Uncle Jack. As a family, we pray for you daily.
    Elisabeth

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