Hey Dan is doing very well - going to classes, living with his buddies and hangin with his friends! Praise the LORD! We are so thankful to our LORD God and all you pray-ers for upholding Dan in your prayers. I am flying to LA tomorrow and will be staying for about a week an a half. One of myy dear cousins will be flying into LA next week so I will get to see her also. I will be checking up on my mom and her progress as well. She is still in the hospital (transitional care unit), getting antibiotics and is now on oxygen. She needs prayer too.This next week will be Dan's nadir, when his white cell count drops, so PLEASE pray the count will not go so low that he becomes susceptible to the bacteria and viruses we all live with and are a part of our environment. This is a crucial week - Thursday to Thursday. Thank you all so much for your steadfast help for us on this journey.
This last Sunday the message at our church centered on James 5:13-16. One particular word that caught my attention was the Greek word “euthymeo” which means:
"to be of good spirits, to be cheerful, to be joyful, be of good cheer, of good courage"
I also looked up the Hebrew usage of 2 similar words in Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
BE STRONG: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute
BE COURAGEOUS: to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, and solid
Friends, I need to have this courage and strength. I think we all probably do for whatever situations we find ourselves in.
The other place the Greek word is found is in Acts 27 when Paul is on the Mediterranean Sea in a storm and about to be shipwrecked. He tells the crew and his fellow prisoners to be encouraged because the angel of the Lord told him that even though the ship would be destroyed, all would be saved.
Our present situation feels like a storm at times and though the winds may be blowing and the sea choppy, I believe that we will all come through this storm safely, especially Daniel Christopher Howen. I believe others will be saved spiritually, too. Daily we receive our strength and courage from the Lord and from many of you. Praise His Holy Name for His Presence with us and for the many encouragers He sends along our way.
The key, I think, is “for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”. As I read the Word of God and the promises He has made for now and for the future, I know I can trust Him, not only to work in our midst, but to be working out His plan and His purposes for all of man and for all of time.
2 comments:
We're still praying for you!
The Bjorks
thanks Molly and John
we sure need it!
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