Consider it Pure Joy...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." [James 1:2-6]

Now that is a tough question...are you considering the trial you are facing with pure joy? Don't you just love James "phrasing here"? Come on, are you kidding me! Pure joy...wow, talk about needing to "put your helmet on" for that hit! And I will testify that I know in the midst of this storm, God is not only testing our faith, but testing the faith of those around us...and to consider it with pure joy - just does not seem to make sense...unless you know the overwhelming Love, Peace and Strength of our Heavenly Father! But then again, neither does love your enemy, turn the other cheek, to lose your life is gain, and that is the point...it is not about understanding, it is about "accepting" the Truth, the trials and the testing that the Lord will bring in our lives with pure joy so that our faith in Him as Creator, Almighty God, Savior, Redeemer and Restorer continues to be developed, and that we may become mature and complete not lacking anything, as we continue to reflect His Glory and Image! This trial and the one you may be facing is just another opportunity for Him to reveal Himself! How nuts is that...but, that is our God, and His Love for us is beyond measure! It is not the wisdom of earth that would allow one to consider this trial we are facing Pure Joy...but this morning - in the midst of the strongest storm we have ever faced, I can honestly say that we have an "overwhelming peace" in our soul that is beyond all understanding!

God has given us Great Peace, Grace, Strength and Clarity that His Will is to move forward with the experimental procedure to save Jackson's life, and yesterday - we received news from Children's Hospital in Boston from their lead surgeon Dr. Wayne Tworetzky - who had the opportunity to study the echo/ultrasound reports yesterday afternoon - that Kelly and Jackson are a great candidate for this procedure. He also shared his encouragement that they found Jackson's condition so early and that he has a great confidence in our team of doctors/surgeons in Pittsburgh - with a great respect/regard for our Cardiologist, Dr. Fred Sherman and Pediatric Surgeon, Dr. Emery! So...with that information, we continue to be encouraged and will remain in prayer as make the final decision regarding "where" the procedure will take place within the next day or so!

As for the move...well, that is another story and a great need for your prayers...and this is where the second half of the verse above hits us in the gut! We received the estimate yesterday, and the total to pack and move us is around $4600 - and man did that take the wind out of the sails, and cause us to doubt! But, God is good, and we accept by faith that we must not waiver on the fact that God is moving us in 5 days! Truly, we don't have that kind of "financial margin" right now with everything we are facing - but, we know the promise of God and the incredible support we have around us in His hands and feet. So, we will pause here for a moment, pray and pursue His Peace and Clarity in the packing/move decision - and this just another opportunity for Him to reveal His Majesty, Power and Provision! Man of you are asking...and we still do not have clarity at this point regarding "where" to move in regards to what house/location God is leading us to. I know, we are 5 days out - but, consider it pure joy! And we will continue to walk in obedience to His Will, His Timing and His Provision and will wait upon the Lord for His clarity and direction!

So please pray - and pray hard, and do not doubt! Our God is an Awesome God, and we stand firm on His Promises, His Peace and His Grace as we accept this trial and know that He is developing our faith! Pray for the home, pray for the location, and pray for an overwhelming peace to fall upon us as we fervently pray for clarity and direction in the move!

All Eyes on Jesus...