The God Who is There
 I am glad for the arrival of the first day of spring!Today was certainly a good spring day. It even looks like the rose bushes need to be trimmed back and some of the spring flowers are beginning to grow.
My physical therapy session involved a surprise, my first attempt at some stairs. I did pretty good going down, but trying to get up was a different matter. I still need some leg strength to be able to push up to navigate the height of the stair. I worked with my therapist on a set schedule for each day for arms, shoulders and legs. Gaining strength and endurance will be key to gaining my goal of walking on my own some day.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…
“To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”   Psalms 22:5
When I read the words of this verse I think of the stories that I have read recently where individuals in their distress cried out to the Lord and were saved. Saved from certain death, physically, emotionally,and spiritually.
This makes me stand in awe of the Lord’s mercy in the lives of people. The situations that I am referring to are not necessarlily people of strong faith. Many were the opposite. But when a dead end of even death was facing them they knew they needed help from a power greater than themselves. Not all ended up embracing a biblical faith or understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus. But many are still on that journey.
I have been reading Andy Peterson’s book “Saved Twice.” Andy in 1998 was attackedby a mountain lion and miraculously survived. He grew up in a broken home and even at a young age dabbled in drugs and struggled with coping and finding himself in life.
As Andy was wrestling with a mountain lion on Carpenter’s Peak in South Jefferson County he cried to the Lord, “God help me!…I’m sorry God! Please! I want to be remembered better. God please save me! I need you now!”
Andy was able to free himself literally from the jaws of the lion and run down a steep narrow trail to receive the emergency medical treatment needed to save his life.
Here are the words of others…in finding freedom from addictions
“I go down on my knees and I asked for this thing to be removed and it was…That thing that I was absolutely powerless over, that had vanquished me for seventeen years, was lifted out of my life. And it hasn’t come back since…” Christopher Kennedy Lawford
“I don’t want to put you on the spot God. But if I shouldn’t be doing this You better do something, because if it is up to me, I am going to use. I’m turning it over to you! …The minute I finished that prayer, it was like a switch went off…the need to use was gone, miraculously!” David Black, writer for Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Law & Order
“I look back…and I believe God saved me. I believe that. I absolutely believe that. I have no idea how nor do I know why…He lead me to a point where I surrendered to Him…Faith is a mystery..Faith really sustains me.” Larry Kudlow, host of CNBC Kudlow & Company
“I…desperately pleaded with God. I cannot do it any longer. I give up. Please help me! Suddenly something happened. The giant boulder I was carrying rolled off my shoulders. The heavy burden was gone..” Rudy Tomjanovich, former NBA star 1970-1981
Perhaps these words provide a succinct conclusion…
“Why not just believe in something greater than ourselves? I mean, there’s got to be more than just spinning around the universe. There’s something bigger, bigger and better. That’s God, bigger and better.”  Richard Lewis, Actor and Author          (His words to the audience at end of his act)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8,9
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”               Matthew 11:28-30