Are you in the final whirlwind before Christmas? Stressed out? Planning your travel or cleaning with reckless abandon as guests are headed your way? Looking under the tree and thinking it is too empty or you clearly spent too much? Got disqualified from a ballot in Colorado? (I’ll deal with that one shortly)
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us a crown of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Lovely story, Erick. I could share some similar experiences. I'm sure many of us could. Thank you for using your newsletter to do just that. Sometimes, we all need that reminder. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I'd say that is the epitome of putting things in perspective. Through the terror and trembling you saw God and have relayed that message as eloquently as I have ever read. You have a beautiful soul and thank you for sharing you beliefs and insights with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family. And Christy, go show how Porsches are meant to be driven! I love that! It's just cool.
I wept while listening to this. I do not like weeping. Yet I love the story of Christ in your family. While I have always prayed for you, this reminded me through God’s Spirit the reason why. This article is a testament to why you have experienced the blessings you gave. The Lord has prepared you for this. I doubt I could walk your path... but then again, God hasn’t prepared me the way he has you and your family. There may have been times--and may be more--that you wish he had not made you so. Don’t look at yourself during these thoughts. Look at Christ. This story is testimony that you have, you do, and you will. This is why I am compelled to pray for you! Grace
"Perspective" is a wonderful thing. Thank you for it, and may God continue to bless and keep your family together for many years to come. Only 51 days ago, I rushed my wife of 37 years (who was also my high school sweetheart and dated me for 9 years before we tied the knot) to the hospital with chest pains. No indication before that night that her 61 year old heart was weakening. The doctor said matter-of-factly as they did an EKG that "your wife is having a heart attack right now". Three days later, with two stents inserted into the "widow-maker" artery, and another one two days later in a minor artery, we left the hospital. She's wearing a life vest now and you wouldn't know looking at her that she was (moments?) away from dying. This Christmas could have been very different for our family. Why did she make it to the hospital in time when so many others (we know several) don't? All we know is that her eternity was fixed years before when she confessed her sin and asked Jesus to save her. She, nor any of us, deserved that, but He did it anyway. I'll be extra thankful this Christmas for all the blessings we receive, even when we don't understand the "whys".
Just for a little more perspective...my dad died when I was 10. He and mom had what is described by all who knew them as "the perfect marriage". He was also a great daddy. I don't understand why God let him get cancer and suffer terribly and die, but He did. I miss him to this day. But..."My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Isa. 55:8 The older I get, the more I'm able to accept the fact of sin, the consequences of sin (suffering and death), and the overwhelming grace of God that trumps all of it. I'm also more willing to be thankful in everything. I'm more thankful than ever that I had a dad who was such a good dad that I still miss him today. God is certainly good, whether we can "feel" it at the moment or not. Today, I CAN feel it, cause I can hug my wife when I get home and get ready to welcome the kids and grandkids into town for another celebration; together. Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all your readers.
And yet He decided to create the universe. I’ve never understood why. But I’m in good company. I understand St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas also struggled with this ultimate question.
Very good Erick. I had a similar experience many years ago. In my mind I was absent from work, sick and on the brink of death. In truth the Lord,through my absence, was protecting me from a situation at my workplace. ‘Have not forgotten His Providence. His shelter is over us even when it appears differently. It’s an experience many have, I’m sure, but how many stop and recognize the amazing miracles in their lives?
Merry Christmas Erick! Here's an idea for you. Agree with a Porsche dealer you will go on air and tell how WONDERFUL Porsches ARE. You will agree to send people to said Porsche dealer. Talk it up like other WSB personalities do and your sweet wife gets her Porsche. LOL. I jest. You're better than THAT, but I hope she enjoys the driving experience and your show grows and you can give her the Porsche someday. I'll look on Instagram for her driving today.
Some say, “Why me?” A Christian says, “Why not me?” Because a Christian values adversity as much as prosperity since both originate from Sovereign God. We’re not asked to understand each circumstance during life but rather to believe. And that creates a peace and a focus simply on glorifying God, come what may, that carries us through until our “promotion” to be with God, leaving behind all that is temporary here.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us a crown of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So much to be thankful for. Merry Christmas!
Lovely story, Erick. I could share some similar experiences. I'm sure many of us could. Thank you for using your newsletter to do just that. Sometimes, we all need that reminder. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Christy is the baddest of badasses.
I'd say that is the epitome of putting things in perspective. Through the terror and trembling you saw God and have relayed that message as eloquently as I have ever read. You have a beautiful soul and thank you for sharing you beliefs and insights with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family. And Christy, go show how Porsches are meant to be driven! I love that! It's just cool.
I wept while listening to this. I do not like weeping. Yet I love the story of Christ in your family. While I have always prayed for you, this reminded me through God’s Spirit the reason why. This article is a testament to why you have experienced the blessings you gave. The Lord has prepared you for this. I doubt I could walk your path... but then again, God hasn’t prepared me the way he has you and your family. There may have been times--and may be more--that you wish he had not made you so. Don’t look at yourself during these thoughts. Look at Christ. This story is testimony that you have, you do, and you will. This is why I am compelled to pray for you! Grace
"Perspective" is a wonderful thing. Thank you for it, and may God continue to bless and keep your family together for many years to come. Only 51 days ago, I rushed my wife of 37 years (who was also my high school sweetheart and dated me for 9 years before we tied the knot) to the hospital with chest pains. No indication before that night that her 61 year old heart was weakening. The doctor said matter-of-factly as they did an EKG that "your wife is having a heart attack right now". Three days later, with two stents inserted into the "widow-maker" artery, and another one two days later in a minor artery, we left the hospital. She's wearing a life vest now and you wouldn't know looking at her that she was (moments?) away from dying. This Christmas could have been very different for our family. Why did she make it to the hospital in time when so many others (we know several) don't? All we know is that her eternity was fixed years before when she confessed her sin and asked Jesus to save her. She, nor any of us, deserved that, but He did it anyway. I'll be extra thankful this Christmas for all the blessings we receive, even when we don't understand the "whys".
Just for a little more perspective...my dad died when I was 10. He and mom had what is described by all who knew them as "the perfect marriage". He was also a great daddy. I don't understand why God let him get cancer and suffer terribly and die, but He did. I miss him to this day. But..."My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Isa. 55:8 The older I get, the more I'm able to accept the fact of sin, the consequences of sin (suffering and death), and the overwhelming grace of God that trumps all of it. I'm also more willing to be thankful in everything. I'm more thankful than ever that I had a dad who was such a good dad that I still miss him today. God is certainly good, whether we can "feel" it at the moment or not. Today, I CAN feel it, cause I can hug my wife when I get home and get ready to welcome the kids and grandkids into town for another celebration; together. Merry Christmas to you, your family, and all your readers.
And yet He decided to create the universe. I’ve never understood why. But I’m in good company. I understand St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas also struggled with this ultimate question.
Very good Erick. I had a similar experience many years ago. In my mind I was absent from work, sick and on the brink of death. In truth the Lord,through my absence, was protecting me from a situation at my workplace. ‘Have not forgotten His Providence. His shelter is over us even when it appears differently. It’s an experience many have, I’m sure, but how many stop and recognize the amazing miracles in their lives?
Thank you, Erick, for this beautiful explanation of our profound certainty. May God bless you & your family each day of the new year.
Thank you Erick.
Merry Christmas, Erick!
Merry Christmas Erick! Here's an idea for you. Agree with a Porsche dealer you will go on air and tell how WONDERFUL Porsches ARE. You will agree to send people to said Porsche dealer. Talk it up like other WSB personalities do and your sweet wife gets her Porsche. LOL. I jest. You're better than THAT, but I hope she enjoys the driving experience and your show grows and you can give her the Porsche someday. I'll look on Instagram for her driving today.
Some say, “Why me?” A Christian says, “Why not me?” Because a Christian values adversity as much as prosperity since both originate from Sovereign God. We’re not asked to understand each circumstance during life but rather to believe. And that creates a peace and a focus simply on glorifying God, come what may, that carries us through until our “promotion” to be with God, leaving behind all that is temporary here.
A beautiful testimony and one of many reasons I keep subscribing. Have a blessed Christmas, Erick!
right on---you have it right!!!!!!!!