It’s true – there IS a God!

This is demonstrated by my wife’s against-the-odds pregnancy. God told us to have a baby, we did what we needed to do and despite the doctor’s mockery and cynicism [and after a long slog and much doubt] the baby is now on its way.

But, as described in my previous posts, we want this baby to be a gateway to areas of service.

Now, in our church we are currently doing Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Community for lent. (By the way, see Kyle’s excellent discourse on lent here.) Part of the lesson is to make the most of every opportunity to speak to people, breaking out of our normal circle of friends. So when my dear wife was at the school gate waiting for our kids, she saw a couple to whom she was once introduced but has not spoken to since. So, obedient to the church’s teaching, she approached them and made polite conversation. This developed into a deeper conversation about children, which lead on to her telling the story of our near-miraculous conception. And as part of that, my young-looking wife admitted her true advanced years, and the woman gasped, and threw her arms around my wife.

It turns out that many years ago she had a sterilisation, of which she now repents, but being in her thirties though that it was now too late. Obviously I am skimming over the story here. But the upshot of it is that my wife’s obedience has resulted in her speaking God’s words into that couple’s life: that they too can (and should?) have another baby.

Doesn’t it scare the pants off you when God transforms from an abstract concept into a real being who DOES things?

Not pregnant

As usual, having dared to believe, we are knocked down.

We go again through the usual cycle of depression, despondancy, flatness, questions, tension, lack of faith and huge faith simultaneously, wondering how to counsel without patronising, confusion, despair, hope.

We still believe God has given us a vision for another child.

This blog is about walking on water.

We are sinking in the waves.

We cry out, and wait for Him to lift us up again.

This is in my verse of the day at left...

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” (Ecclesiastes 11:5)

Creation in the womb

This passage appeared today in my blog's verse of the day (at top left):

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

Coincidentally, (?), the same verse forms part of my wife's favourite song on the Matt Redmann CD she has just bought.

In the light of my "Is this it?" post below, it may be the Lord teeling us something, or it may be just our own wishful thinking. Time will tell.

Sexual Orientation Regulations - God's comfort

I meant to say this earlier.

I have been losing a lot of sleep lately. This is mostly because I have been drinking too much caffeine. Once I have been disturbed in the night - especially if its about 2:30 - I just can't get back to sleep again. I toss and turn and fret about things, and becasue I am tired and not thinking straight, everything asumes a greater magnitude than it deserves. Recently, the topic that has vexed me is the imposition of the Sexual Orientation Regulations, which force people to act against their beliefs. In the night I work myself into such a state of frustration and rage that it is no longer clear of it is the caffeine or my feelings that is keeping me awake.

When this happens, I go downstairs for a cup of tea and some toast, and watch some TV to change the course of my thoughts. Sometimes I end up thinking "Stupid cats - can't they tell its not feeding time and I'm too tired to cope?". The actual TV itself is really poor at night - you would think I would fall asleep through sheer boredom. (At 10pm, during my favourite programme I do fall asleep!"

On Saturday night I decided on a different approach. Instead of the TV, I picked up the Bible, and prayed for some word of comfort that would enable me to get over my frustration at the unjust laws and sleep in the future. I opened the Bible and read the first sentance that I cast my eye on - "Woe to those who make unjust laws" (Isaiah 10 v1). And so, with God's comiseration, I have felt much more relaxed ever since. he has taken the burden from me, and will ensure justice is done in the end.

Various threads of life have come together.

A lady from church has been struggling to find a new home, since the lease on her home has expired. The landlord wants to sell the property since there is a lot of work to do on it. However, the Landlord is he church, and the house is the former curatage, and so I, as a member of the PCC, am in effect evicting a struggling single Mum. This is far from ideal. But now, after much prayer, she has an almost certain offer of another home. Praise God!

Now, it gets complicated, because my wife found herself arriving at the school gate too early, and ended up sitting in a car with another Mum, also a member of the church. This Lady brought the news that another church member who owns several houses as a business, has offered to buy the curatage so that its tenant won’t have to move out.

So my wife friend said “Its funny how you pray for ages for something, and then two come at once. And you will have twins!”

So was this prophetic, that God knows we want twins and sent us that message that he will answer our prayers, or are we still in fantasy land? Watch this space!

But the conversation went on, and it emerged that the friend is having serious marital problems owing to her husband’s involvement with pornography. And so my wife was then able to use her experience (and regreatbaly my name) to support this other woman.

Plus I should have mentioned that the tenant was my cell group leader that I have been complaining bout in my previous more selfish posts after our miscarriage. And so I am better placed to understand why she didn’t ‘perform’ at that time, and this has given opportunities for improved communication with her.

Also, the cell group finally got its act together and sent us a card, so even my wife has accepted that we must forgive.