Christ_empowered
Member
- Oct 23, 2010
- 14,240
- 10,721
Before I managed to get genuinely saved, I read alot about Jesus and Christianity. So, I remember reading a book, and all that stands out to me now is this one sentence: "God's work in this world is always met with opposition."
Yes, yes, 100,000,000 times...YES! True in all Christians' lives, definitely true in mine. At this point, I've been genuinely, for realises saved (and that by a Miracle...) for just a bit less than 4 1/2 years. My parents love me and are kind to me. I genuinely love them and I'm kind to them, because Jesus has changed (is changing, will change...) me (of all people, lol). I'm physically healthy, increasingly "of sound mind," remarkably normal in important ways, and...I'm beginning to see: whole. Flawed, prone to sins, sin patterns, etc., but a work in progress, nonetheless.
OK. This is a Praise Report. I'm more and more in the world, but not of it, which is a big, big deal for me, since I was once an obviously wretched, pathetic result of the combined ill-effects of: sin, satan, self, death, and the world. A weakling with a shady backstory, lots of problems...stuck on the broad road. Ugh. Miserable.
Today is another day that The Lord hath made; rejoice and be glad in it. I noticed recently that this is a command, a call to action, not a suggestion or a helpful tip. To that end, I've been praying that The Lord will give me what I need to...enjoy each new day, rejoice and be glad in it. He's been moving mightily in my life and in my parents' lives, too.
Dad and Mama are going to a nearby city to sign off on selling the rental house they bought semi-locally. They're taking a small hit on the purchase price, but when you factor in the $$$ they've made thru renting it, they're pretty much breaking even. God is good!
Mama's already largely bounced back from her operation. She's in good spirits, doing her jobby job from the laptop upstairs, indulging her little house dogs...life is good. Thankfully, she doesn't need the pain pills very often, which is good, because she's sensitive to them, and she usually ends up having to take an anti-nausea pill with the pain killer.
Dad got a new car. Nothing too crazy fancy. I've noticed that my parents buy cars a level or two below what a lot of people at their compensation level get (Dad points out that new cars aren't exactly the wisest use of $$$...). I'm thankful that The Lord has blessed their careers. He likes the car. I'm amazed by the technology (heated, cooled, and ventilated seats? I'm sold!). More importantly, I see that The Lord has blessed them financially, which is huge. They don't worry much about $$$, partly because they have now have more of it and partly because they're wise with their resources.
OK. As for me...well, I'm blessed beyond measure. The community talks about my "public defender" and "felony" (true story: despite everything, my people got me a good lawyer when I messed up...I have a misdemeanor, I'm off probation early, and that...is...I'm hoping and praying, the end of that....), and...of course...my "Schizophrenia." Interesting...I've been praying a lot on it, doing things, reducing my psych drug intake, etc., and I"m beginning to think..."mental ilness" is more a social role than a bona fide ailment.
My official diagnosis is still Bipolar I, I think. Less stigmatizing than Schizophrenia, less likely to result in forced treatment and/or hospitalization. But...is it any more "real" than Schizophrenia? Nope. I was sick, for a long time, now I've been made remarkably healthy. The world's reaction? My status has been changed from "pathetic loser" to "uppity mental patient." And yet...
That is...what it is. The Lord has blessed me with everything I need for life and for godliness, and then some (in my opinion...). Disability? Not ideal, but I was sick, at all levels, for an extended period of time. Even if I could, somehow, get a job, being "Schizophrenic" on the job=no promotions, poor treatment, and a very real possibility that you'll be out a job, quickly, for...whatever reason.
God is good! The world? Ummmm....not so much, clearly. It is what it is...
Thanks for reading. I Praise God for His mercy, love, compassion, straight up pity, and for His work in my life and my parents' lives.
Yes, yes, 100,000,000 times...YES! True in all Christians' lives, definitely true in mine. At this point, I've been genuinely, for realises saved (and that by a Miracle...) for just a bit less than 4 1/2 years. My parents love me and are kind to me. I genuinely love them and I'm kind to them, because Jesus has changed (is changing, will change...) me (of all people, lol). I'm physically healthy, increasingly "of sound mind," remarkably normal in important ways, and...I'm beginning to see: whole. Flawed, prone to sins, sin patterns, etc., but a work in progress, nonetheless.
OK. This is a Praise Report. I'm more and more in the world, but not of it, which is a big, big deal for me, since I was once an obviously wretched, pathetic result of the combined ill-effects of: sin, satan, self, death, and the world. A weakling with a shady backstory, lots of problems...stuck on the broad road. Ugh. Miserable.
Today is another day that The Lord hath made; rejoice and be glad in it. I noticed recently that this is a command, a call to action, not a suggestion or a helpful tip. To that end, I've been praying that The Lord will give me what I need to...enjoy each new day, rejoice and be glad in it. He's been moving mightily in my life and in my parents' lives, too.
Dad and Mama are going to a nearby city to sign off on selling the rental house they bought semi-locally. They're taking a small hit on the purchase price, but when you factor in the $$$ they've made thru renting it, they're pretty much breaking even. God is good!
Mama's already largely bounced back from her operation. She's in good spirits, doing her jobby job from the laptop upstairs, indulging her little house dogs...life is good. Thankfully, she doesn't need the pain pills very often, which is good, because she's sensitive to them, and she usually ends up having to take an anti-nausea pill with the pain killer.
Dad got a new car. Nothing too crazy fancy. I've noticed that my parents buy cars a level or two below what a lot of people at their compensation level get (Dad points out that new cars aren't exactly the wisest use of $$$...). I'm thankful that The Lord has blessed their careers. He likes the car. I'm amazed by the technology (heated, cooled, and ventilated seats? I'm sold!). More importantly, I see that The Lord has blessed them financially, which is huge. They don't worry much about $$$, partly because they have now have more of it and partly because they're wise with their resources.
OK. As for me...well, I'm blessed beyond measure. The community talks about my "public defender" and "felony" (true story: despite everything, my people got me a good lawyer when I messed up...I have a misdemeanor, I'm off probation early, and that...is...I'm hoping and praying, the end of that....), and...of course...my "Schizophrenia." Interesting...I've been praying a lot on it, doing things, reducing my psych drug intake, etc., and I"m beginning to think..."mental ilness" is more a social role than a bona fide ailment.
My official diagnosis is still Bipolar I, I think. Less stigmatizing than Schizophrenia, less likely to result in forced treatment and/or hospitalization. But...is it any more "real" than Schizophrenia? Nope. I was sick, for a long time, now I've been made remarkably healthy. The world's reaction? My status has been changed from "pathetic loser" to "uppity mental patient." And yet...
That is...what it is. The Lord has blessed me with everything I need for life and for godliness, and then some (in my opinion...). Disability? Not ideal, but I was sick, at all levels, for an extended period of time. Even if I could, somehow, get a job, being "Schizophrenic" on the job=no promotions, poor treatment, and a very real possibility that you'll be out a job, quickly, for...whatever reason.
God is good! The world? Ummmm....not so much, clearly. It is what it is...
Thanks for reading. I Praise God for His mercy, love, compassion, straight up pity, and for His work in my life and my parents' lives.