Jump David Jump

One August Day filled with Faith and Doubt

This is a long post, I know. In fact, let's not even call it a post. This is a short essay.

I suppose I've been negligent in my updates regarding my health for several different reasons. On one hand, I had to learn to protect my time and not become overwhelmed with blog posts as I had been for awhile. Life goes on, bills need to be paid, need to see my 'real-life' friends, and not spend all of my time pulling a Doogie Howser by sharing my feeling online at the end of each and every day. But nevertheless, I want to keep you updated as to what has been going on because so many of you have been, and continue to be, so faithful to pray to our Lord on my behalf. For that, I can't thank you enough. In the meantime, I want you to know that His grace has indeed been more than sufficient for me.

In August of 2010, Amy and I went back to University of Michigan to get another MRI. So much had been happening before and during that time of year. Amy and I (as well as friends, family and most likely strangers) had been so focused on praying for physical healing before this check-up. We knew that God was in the middle of doing something big. Strange events had been happening that I won't go into detail on right now. But we could feel God was by our side, going through this event with us, preparing us for the next MRI. We had been praying intensely with such childlike faith that we simply expected the doctor would come back and tell us that... 'I have no idea what happened, but the tumor is gone!". And we wouldn't even be surprised. We would say... "Well, of course it's gone, our God is a healing God, duh?"

The Dr. came back with the MRI results and told us that everything was looking just about the same. Hmm. While some minor shifting had occurred, it didn't appear to be growing or shrinking or doing anything for that matter. Just hanging out in my head. Amy and I were obviously pleased because things had not worsened, but there was definitely a feeling of (and I feel strange saying it) but... disappointment.

Was I disappointed in God?

Ultimate Authority

Amy and I were flipping through channels the other day and we were caught by Dateline or 20/20 or 60 Minutes or whatever. I usually try to get my news from 'The Daily Show' and my cultural reference from 'The Soup' (time saver + it's funny), but we happened to come across a series of interviews with pastors who had become atheists. But so what... we've heard this a million times. However, this group was different. They were still 'leading' their church. A variety of interviews showed how these pastors became intrigued by and then began to doubt the Bible, doubting the Old Testament, even doubting even the birth and resurrection of Jesus, yet they are still 'shepherding' people. Amy and I were stunned!

The reason they wouldn't step down from their role as pastor? The economy. They are concerned about finding another job.

Next Steps for Francis Chan

As Flannel, Dot&Cross and David C. Cook Publishing release the Basic series, it's interesting to see Francis describe his own experience of church. As you may know, Francis has decided to leave his home church, Cornerstone Church, in Simi Valley to follow God on a new and unknown adventure. This video is an awkward, yet needed, candid discussion between Francis Chan, Joshua Harris and Mark Driscoll as they ask some really tough questions that... well, maybe we are all wondering about.

Please pray with me that Francis will use this time to learn and grow as God sees fit. To view a trailer for the entire 7-film BASIC series, click here.

 

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Children. Not Intended for Commercial Use.

As far as I can tell, I have taught my baby sister 3 things:

1. How to tackle (go low and wrap the legs)

2. How to play catch (and spit)

3. Ben Folds Five (a band which I believe was the beginning of her taste of good music)

It's safe to say that (besides item 3) I pretty much wanted to teach my sister how to become a brother. But since gender reallocation wasn't working out, I began to see Heather's natural talents develop. She truly is a unique blend of her 3 older siblings. From Leslie she received a strange quality I know absolutely nothing about... she became fiscal. I barely even know what that word means. From Angie she became a giver and a lover of all, which leads to a lot of crying. She is always looking for someone to help. In fact I have to laugh when she recounts the time she and her husband took a homeless guy to a chili cook off to make sure he was fed, but instead he ended up getting drunk and wandering off. So much for helping the homeless... Or when she came to me to brainstorm a clever way to deliver gifts to the strippers at the local strip-club to show them that they were loved. (Ha! I love it!)

And I don't know what she got from me, but it probably wasn't anything positive.

Say What?!

"In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."

- Hebrews 5:7-9