"AND LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE GOD HAS SET BEFORE US." Hebrews 12:3a

Some days I just feel like a frog in a frying pan...

There's a story that's been told about two frogs who fell into a vat of cream. These frogs knew they would soon die if they didn't keep paddling as fast as they could yet, try as they might, they could not jump out. It was not long before the first little frog became too tired to go on. He gave up, and, alas, he drowned in that vat of cream. The second frog persevered until he eventually churned that cream into butter. He was able to stand on top of the butter and hop out of the vat safe and sound - though very, very tired!

I remembered this little fable often during the time that my brother was sick. No matter how much pain he was in or how bleak the future looked, he kept leaning on God and fighting the good fight. When it took 3 1/2 years to receive his transplant - he kept fighting. When he developed complications from the transplant - he kept fighting. When he spent 9 months in the hospital away from his family and friends - he kept fighting. When his body literally petrified, leaving him paralyzed - he kept fighting. When he was in excruciating pain - he kept fighting.

It was not long before the mantra FROG - Fully Rely On God - began to have a deeper meaning to us. He was still leaning on God and fighting the good fight until God answered our prayers to heal him by taking him Home. That was eight years ago, but I still miss him dearly. And every time I see a frog, I think of him and feel challenged to Fully Rely On God - to fight the good fight - no matter what life throws my way. That's what this blog is about - the things God is teaching me and the tools He is giving me to walk that walk. Or should I say hop that hop - because sometimes life just feels like a great big frying pan!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Who Do You Say That I Am?

     As I was reading John 6 this morning, I was struck by a thought that has left me convicted. I just want to leave you with a little bit of food for thought this morning.
     In John 6 the disciples are caught in a storm while out sailing. Jesus walks across the water toward the boat in the midst of the storm, but the disciples do not recognize Him. They think He is a ghost. Really? A ghost? Grown men and their first thought is that a ghost is coming to get them? But I digress. My point is this…have you noticed that with all the miracles they have witnessed and all the quality time they spent with Jesus they acted like they didn’t know Him and what He could do sometimes? It is human, no doubt. I am not casting stones, just making an observation. Now contrast that to all the times Jesus cast demons out of people. The demons immediately knew who He was. They knew His power. They knew what He was about and who was going to be the victor. They didn’t question. They pleaded with Him to leave them alone!
     I am not going to stand in judgment of the disciples. I am, however, going to try and use this to look at my own reactions to Him and learn. Do I recognize Him and His works in my life without question, without doubt, without reservation? Or does He have to constantly reassure me. Do I have such a close relationship with Him that I recognize Him without hesitation? I should walk so closely with Him that I am familiar with His presence and know what He is about. The demons don’t have a relationship with Him, but they recognized who He was!

Lord, I want to know you! I want to walk with you. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for your patience.
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