Lymph Journal #13

1/19/20

Another strong day.  Two good and vigorous (well, that’s a bit of a relative term) walks were undertaken successfully.  The weather has turned a bit gloomy but both walks were completed without employing an umbrella.

When life takes the sort of turn as now you’ve got to rehash all your supposed theological notions about God’s will for your life.  This is not an expression of doubting that God has my best at heart but more about the nuts and bolts of how it all plays out. I find my baseline is predicated on the character of God as the one who redeems.  Certainly the Christian tradition upholds the Redeemer but sometimes I think we forget that redemption goes way beyond the cross and is wrapped up in everything God is working out.  Did God determine cancer, did God allow cancer, does cancer happen to people at random – well, with the Redeemer at the center it doesn’t matter that much to me because I find Him working in it and have great hope that the most redemptive outcome will occur – whatever that might be.

I’ve often argued (but, of course, ignored my own advice) that we ought to cultivate the matrix of redemption in how we live our lives.  We ought to learn to consider ourselves and call on God’s wisdom as well and ask, “At this point, in this place, with this situation – what is the most redemptive thing we can do or say or be?”

But, back to the walking.  This afternoon’s brought me by the local organic farm with all its organic odors that, a few days ago, I couldn’t get near for fear of losing lunch.  Today, no big deal.  My smell sensitivity is a good indicator of how I’m feeling.  I remembered to plug into the iPod today.  On the return leg of the journey two songs played consecutively.  One I first heard years ago when our son Carl faced serious surgery and recovery and I spent 30+ nights with him in Hasbro Children’s Hospital.  Somehow it “spoke” to me then and would encourage me whenever I (pre-iPod days this) got a break and listened to it at home.  Fred Hammond is the artist – he’s been a fave ever since – and Don’t Pass Me By is the song  The second song I heard (in the sense of really being able to listen to it) today and is on my dear friend Danny Plett’s new CD – the song is Always Jesus.

            Be it on the mountain peak

            Or be it down into the deep

            When my dancing turns to weeping

            Or when fear fades into peace

            Always Jesus.  Ever you alone

            Be it ever true, may my longing be for you

Now it will not be my custom to sell stuff here but both these are available on iTunes.  For a total expenditure of $1.98 you’ll more than get your money’s worth!