Why do I deal with Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes and Deafness?

It is God's way of arousing me from spiritual lethargy. My problems were not really punishment (in a way, they were); they are wake-up calls from my loving God. God is not mad at me; He was mad about me, and He did whatever it took and brought me back into fellowship with Him. (I was a prodigal Christian) God is aware of my suffering and sometimes allow me to go through very difficult things so I can get my priorities straight. God has me here to become more like Him, fellowship with other believers. There are many disabled people like me who continue to suffer both chronic physical distress and misunderstanding from our Christian brothers and sisters. My suffering is masked by my healthy appearance. I may not be in a wheelchair and I can hear pretty normal with the help of hearing-aids. My pain and disability are real and chronic. This is called "invisible disabilities." People like me encountered the impatience and defeatism that often characterize the community's (especially Christian) attitude toward those whose ailments are not obvious, invisible, and usually non-terminal. Those with invisible disabilities are often expected to do what is beyond them. Suffering is the Will of God, which purifies our faith, to the glory of God (1 Peter, verses 6-9). (Also read 2 Cor. 1:3-7 and James 1:3). The core of God's plan is to rescue us from sin. Joni Tada: "Sometimes God will use suffering and affliction to sandblast us to the core and get us seriously thinking about larger than life issues of heaven and hell, I just don't know that we would think about these issues were it not for an ice-cold splash of suffering waking us out of our spiritual slumber. God's purpose in redeeming us is not to make our lives happy, healthy, and free of trouble. It is not an escape from our physical pains. His purpose is to make us more like Christ. He will chose to allow spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis or blindness or stroke or Alzheimer's or whatever to not only teach us, but also our loved ones, about what it means to become more like him." 1. Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Romans 5: 1-5 (NIV)"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." 2. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." 3. Suffering produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 4. Righteousness and peace through holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices. I Peter 2:5 (NIV)"you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 5. Spiritual sacrifices in knowing what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Summary: What is God's Will in my life? God's purpose in redeeming me is not to make my life happy, healthy, and free of trouble. It is not an escape from my physical pains. God's purpose is to make me more like Christ. He will chose to allow my deafness, multiple sclerosis and other trials not only teach me, but also my loved ones around me, about what it means to become more like Jesus.

Struggling with Sin

I have been thinking about this and thought about my years of struggling with sin.By holiness does not mean I will be sinless but I can be blameless. My life as a Christian takes work and requires the commitment of my heart, mind and body. I believe discouragement is a sin because the word “discouragement” is saying “I refuse to accept God’s plans for my life.” I need to realize that God’s plans for me will be the results of God’s careful timing, not my timing.Romans 8:28 (NLT)"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of the those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."Weeds of sin (old nature) can spring up and struggle against the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I need to clean myself (2 Corinthians 7:1). How do I clean ourselves?Hebrews (verses 1-13) paints a beautiful picture how a child is being trained by the Father. Struggling with sin will happen and if I do not struggle with sin, then something is wrong with my relationship with my heavenly Father. After reading Hall of Faith in Hebrews, Chapter 11, Chapter 12 (verses 1-13) explains how God is training me to live in a blameless life (not same as sinless because I am still a sinner). This chapter focus on perseverence which allow me to be molded by God. From start to finish, I must focus on Jesus and I am to endure God’s divine training disciplines just like sports training (in my view). Its like “no pain, no gain”.During my training for righteousness along with my struggles with sin, I need to have a “Christ-like attitude” (1 Peter 4:1-2). Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ”. In Psalm 119:71 says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.” So, I should be glad and prayerful during my trials (Romans 12:12), be humble and draw close to God (James 4:7-10), imitate great faiths’ example of patience (James 5:10-11), be glad and joyful in all circumstances (1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 Thess. 5:16-17).Sometimes the struggle is exactly what we need to become what God intends us to be (Joanie Yoder, Our Daily Bread)“.....from a biblical perspective, suffering is intrinsically related to the fallenness of this world.” (R.C. Sproul)“The fact is, if there were no sin in the world, there would be no suffering. God allows sufferin as part of his judgement, but he also uses it for our redemption-to shape our character and build up our faith.” R.C. Sproul“We need to begin by recognizing that God is sovereign over all tribulations. In the midst of tribulation, instead of losing myself in trying to discern for sure what the cause is and trying to figure out why this thing is happening to me, it’s important that I ask the deeper question, How am I to respond to it?” R.C. SproulThe Bible tells us that in the world we have tribulation, the world is full of suffering, we are going to suffer, and God promises to go with us (Psalms 23).

Member of local churches

In the last 25 years, I have been a member of two churches and they were: Fellowship of Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio (in the 1980's) Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf (late 80's to early 90's) In the last 2 years, we have been attending Fellowship of Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio My wife and I are not been members of a local church however and we are looking for a new local church. In the last 4 months, we have been visiting local churches in the area. My wife and I think we found a church in Dublin, Ohio

Proverbs talks about women and money !!!

Number of verses in Proverbs that specifically talk about men's obsessions. Women 112 Money 69 On the lighter side, Solomon left out sports !!!!

Knowing God

For me to KNOW God, when I read my Bible, I understand that Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross provides the basis for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. I believe that the truth of God’s Word will set me FREE from the bondage of sin. (John 8:32) I believe that the Bible is SUFFICIENT for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-9) and the Bible gives me principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is my conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) The goal of this pursuit and transformation is that I GROW in my knowledge and relationship with Christ. This growth in biblical knowledge fulfills the biblical command to go and make DISCIPLES. (Matt.28:18-20) So my concept is this: A. Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ B. Allow the Holy Spirit teach and convict me. C. Read the Scriptures and Pray D. Have fellowship with fellow believers E. Join a local true christian church (that's the hard part but you will find one) Regarding the Bible: 1. I study the Word of God to "know the Spirit": 2 Peter (whole book) 2. I need to understand my Spiritual boundaries: Hebrews 2:4, 1 Thess. 5:16-22, Ephesians 4:14-16, and Ephesians 6:10-20 3. I need to test the spirits: 1 John 4:1-6 4. I need to discern the spirits: Hebrews 5:11 - 6:12 Just my thoughts !!

Faith in God

Faith in God allows me to go as far as I can while trusting in God's grace to overcome the difficulties I face. God is asking me to stay strong in faith, keep at it, to carry on, to stick with it, as I trust in HIS possibilities. In doing so God will lift me above my circumstances as he develops my patience, character and hope. Romans 5:3-4 ".....I also rejoice in my sufferings, because I know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." I suffer to keep down pride (2 Cor. 12:7). I suffer because it is a training tool. God lovingly and faithfully uses suffering to develop personal righteousness, maturity, and my walk with Him (Heb. 12:5f; 1 Pet. 1:6; Jam. 1:2-4). Suffering or trials teach me the truth of Psalm 62:1-8, the truth of learning to “wait on the Lord only.” This means that this can require sacrifice, courage, discipline, and faith in the belief that God is good and has my best interests at heart regardless of how things might appear to me. Those are what brings me closer to God.

More about me

My wife and I are divorced and remarried for 2nd time. What we have done in the past is the past. Sin is sin, and we praise God for HIS forgiveness. This sin is no more unforgivable than any other sin. God picks us up where we are. He recognizes the marriage relationship we are in now as binding. And so we go on from here. The past is forgiven; praise God, it is past. It is just as forgiven as any other sin—covetousness, lying, stealing or anger; it is under the blood and forgiven. So God picks us up where we are now. Today, God is IN our marriage. We have a wonderful spiritual marriage. In our first marriage, my wife was married for almost 25 years while I was married almost 22 years before we divorced our spouses. We have been married for about 2 years now. We are a perfect match in heaven. We have so much in common. We are best friends as well as wonderful lovers. Spiritually, we have a wonderful relationship with God and we both are excited about our future. We even talk about becoming missionaries after I retire. Our marriage is unique. My wife and I both have diabetes. My wife and I also have high blood pressure. She needs to wear glasses to see while I need to wear hearing-aids to hear. I have multiple sclerosis. Together as a blended family... we have 5 kids. All but my son is living with us. My wife's oldest daughter (23) have cerebral palsy and mentally challenged. My wife's other daughter (18) will be attending Ohio State University. My son (18) is a high school drop-out and living on his own. Planning to join the Navy this Spring My daughter (15) is a sophmore in HS My step-daughter (14) is a sophmore in HS.

Divorced and Remarried

I am divorced and remarried. What I have done in the past is the past. Sin is sin, and I praise God for HIS forgiveness. This sin is no more unforgivable than any other sin. God picks me up where I am. He recognizes the marriage relationship I am in now as binding. And so I go on from here. The past is forgiven; praise God, it is past. It is just as forgiven as any other sin—covetousness, lying, stealing or anger; it is under the blood and forgiven. So God picks me up where I am now. Today, God is IN our marriage. We have a wonderful spiritual marriage.

Famous Quotes and My Quotes

From Charles Clifford Peale: “Okay, I have arthritis, and this is the way arthritis is. Take pain as it comes and you can better master it.” From JimfromOhio: “Okay, I have hearing loss and multiple sclerosis, and those are the ways of life for me. I take silence and pain as they come and I have learned master them in my life.” ____________________________________________________________________________ From James Lane Allen: “You are the handicap you must face. You are the one who must choose your place.” From JimfromOhio: “My disabilities do not have me. I have the disabilities and I accept them because I know who I am from the inside.” ____________________________________________________________________________ From Helen Keller: “Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein, to be content.” From JimfromOhio: “Everything has its wonders, even silence and pain, and I learn, whatever disabilities and difficulties I may be in, I am happily content.” ____________________________________________________________________________ From Irving Berlin: “Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.” From JimfromOhio: “Life is 10 percent how I master my disabilities, and 90 percent how I am enjoying life regardless my disabilities.” ____________________________________________________________________________ From Cecil Beaton: “Perhaps the world’s second worst crime is boredom. The first is being a bore.” From JimfromOhio: “The world’s second worst crime is boredom. The first is world’s crime is not being ambition in life”.

Romans 5:3-4

Two of my favorite verses. These in fact are the two verses that I rely on while I grow into christ-like character. Through my sufferings, God taught me patience. Through my patience, God taught me character to be Christ-like. Through following Christ-like attitude, God gave me hope that if it is in HIS WILL, that my sufferings will go away someday. Romans 5:3-4 ".....we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Regarding Drinking

Much of the confusion as to whether wine was fermented or unfermented stems from the word "wine" being used in translation of the Greek word "oinos", which can denote either grape juice or intoxicating wine. Bible translators of the Bible knew that the word "oinos" could refer to either fermented or unfermented wine. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands us to "be not drunk with wine (oinos)."In the Bible, there are 247 references to wine and strong drink. Of 247 references, 36 are negative references. There are 17 warnings against abusing alcohol, 19 examples of people abusing alcohol.The 3 references to selecting leaders caution that those who abuse alcohol should not be selected as leaders. They use the phrases "not given to much wine," "not given to drunkenness," and "not given to wine." On the positive side, there are 59 references to the commonly accepted practice of drinking wine (and strong drink) with meals, 27 references to the abundance of wine as an example of God's blessing, 20 references to the loss of wine and strong drink as an example of God's curse, 25 references to the use of wine in offerings and sacrifices, 9 references to wine being used as a gift, and 5 metaphorical references to wine as a basis for a favorable comparison. The Bible has several warnings against drunkenness, but only one caution against the responsible use of alcohol in celebration and with meals.I am not going to be legalist about this. I am not a drinker of alcohol but I do drink wine every now and then. During a hot day in the summer, I probably drink a can of COLD beer.

I used to smoke

I am glad that I quit smoking.The bible doesn't say anything about "smoking". Therefore it is not a religious issue. It is a health issue. In 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, therefore glorify God in your body. That means look after it; don't fill it with substances that will harm you. In 1 Corinthians 10:23 that even though something may be lawful (like smoking), that does not mean it is good for you. There are two general principles which help Christians decide whether they should use or agree regarding smoking: Caring for ourselves and caring for others. Christians should ask two questions:How would smoking affect our bodies? Will it affect our relationship with God?

Letting Go and Moving On

Letting go of the past that which no longer serves my own growth. Began rebuilding my life a new foundation. Deciding who and what is affecting me positively. And avoiding who and what is affecting me negatively. Acceptance: nobody will change if I am feeling judged, and by personal demonstration of the way I want to be treated. I can't afford to stay resentful. In order to let go of feeling resentful, I must look at what need within me is being challenged. The need that makes me feel hurt or resenting. By doing that, giving others more benefit of the doubt regarding their intentions and looking for the best in them might help me through this concern. My hurt isn't their problem - it is mine. I can control my emotions, or control my circumstances which create my emotions, but other than that, I need to accept and just let it go. What am I resentful of? My sins of the past? If someone hurt me in a relationship, letting that resentment go enables my soul to free space to bring more love in my life in the future, either from this relationship or a new one. Change is probably the most important aspect of letting go, as often those who challenge me the most to change are my biggest life teachers. Changing my own expectations, reactions, and definitions of history are often answers to letting go and free my spirit to fly again. I have learned that one of the most important ways to let go is rid myself of self-criticism. Life can be hard, but it is considerably harder by criticizing myself and depriving myself of what I deserve: joy, love, abundance, happiness, and laughter. It all begins inside of me. By changing what I believe, deserve, letting go of my negative self-criticism, and embracing loving thoughts and behavior.

Prodigal Christian

To achieve maturity in the Christian life certainly takes time. Fellowship with God are open and honest before Him, though they vary greatly in their maturity. Commitment to Christlikeness is not a ticket to instant maturity. It takes time to move from carnality to spirituality. Backsliding may indeed be a slippery slope. However, it is a slope and not a cliff. People rarely, if ever, move immediately from spirituality to carnality. The journey is filled with many bad thoughts, words, and deeds. A spiritual person has a number of opportunities to change direction before it is too late. What it means is that only confessing Christians will rule. The Christian who stops confessing Christ (Heb 10:23) and ceases to attend church (Heb 10:23), will not reign should he die or the Rapture occur while he was in that condition. Once a person has become spiritual, he has plenty of room for growth. The more a person grows, the more he distances himself from carnality. Therefore, the aim of the Christian life is to please God more and more. The Holy Spirit would reveal sin to me and that God never asked me to try to discover every sin in my life. Knowing that God merely asks me to be honest with Him has had a liberating effect on my walk. It is much more personal, and much less mechanical. It is great to know that God produces maturity in all believers who are abiding in Christ and in His Word.

7 Churches

I was reading Revelation today... and it occur to me that when I read this book, I look at myself as a "Church" and how do I respond to these 7 Churches that Jesus mentioned. Church is not a building but a body of BELIEVERS everywhere. Do not think "Church" as your church but think Church as YOU in the body of believers. 1. Revelation 2:1-7.... Do you know your first love? Who or What is your first love? 2. Revelation 2:8-11... Is your Faith well rooted and will your Faith pass the tests (trials)? 3. Revelation 2:12-17.... Are you following or teaching false doctrines? 4. Revelation 2:18-29 .... Is your heart pure? 5. Revelation 3:1-6........ Are you watchful spiritually in your life? 6. Revelation 3:7-13....... Are you friendly to believers and sinners equally? 7. Revelation 3:14-22..... Are you lukewarm in your Christian life? Something to think about.

My first Blog in blogger.com

This is my first blog in this blooger.com I will start with First Peter 3:7 which is my favorite verse. I love this verse because this tells me my DUTY as a husband to my wife. This verse helps me make our marriage better and happier !!!"Live with your wives"The term translated "live" means "to dwell down with," being closely aligned, being completely at home with. The little word "with" calls for close companionship, deep-down togetherness. Husbands are the ones who should be cultivating an in-depth partnership with our mates. This word "dwell" speaks of intimacy. It is letting somebody else into your life. In every marriage, there needs to be verbal, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual togetherness.When you pray with someone, what you are saying to that person is, "I recognize you as a spiritually important person. I have time for you. You are a part of my spiritual life. God is not just my God and your God. God is our God." That's spiritual intimacy. It says to the wife, my husband is serious about being the spiritual leader in our home. Women greatly desire and deserve a husband that will pray with her. Husbands are to study their wives and work tirelessly to promote her spiritual, emotional, and physical well beingThe word for "live" means to "dwell together or to be at home with." Peter is telling husbands that they are responsible for the "close togetherness" in the relationship. Providing a good living should never become a substitute for sharing deeply in life. The husband is to be sensitive to the needs of the wife. To be continue another time.....