We all have troubles in our lives, some more than others, but nobody I know lives a carefree life. When my troubles start to mount, I sometimes have the temptation to think “was it something I did? Is God punishing my family and I for something one of us did?” Jesus was approached about the topic of bad things happening to people in Luke 13:
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:1-5
The first time I read this, I focused on the “repent or perish” comments, but take a closer look. He asks the people if they think the people that perished had sinned any worse than anyone else in Galilee or Jerusalem. He then answers his own question; obviously not. His point being that they were just average people who suffered, they weren’t being punished or singled out because they had committed some horrendous sin. In the sight of God, we are all guilty of sin. These people that perished were just like you and me. Bad things happen to good people, it’s a fact of life...deal with it as best as you can, but don’t feel that you’ve been marked for punishment for some unspeakable deed.
So then, should we just shut up and take what’s coming to us no matter how terrible it is? No! God loves and cares for us. Matthew 6:25-34 makes it clear that God will provide whatever we need, but all of God’s promises come with conditions. We must seek His Kingdom and righteousness (6:33). Jesus concludes his thoughts in Luke 13 by saying that everyone will perish eventually except those who repent of their sins.
The bedrock of the Gospels is the message to repent of our sins and seek salvation. Once we accept Jesus as our savior in a scriptural manner (baptism, etc) we can approach the Father through Him in prayer. God does answer prayer. The old cliché that sometimes His answer is “no” is unfortunately true, but that fact should not prevent us from asking Him for help in times of trouble. God does not give his children stones when they ask for bread.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Have a nice day
Long time since I posted anything. Lots has happened, some bad stuff but mostly good. I won't go into details except to say that things have sort of slowed down and are getting back to normal for the most part. Still some dark clouds on the horizon, but we're dealing with it and a maybe couple of them have silver linings...ya never know.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Getting Better...I Think.
I'm reminded of a line from an old Beatles tune "I'l have to admit it's getting better, a little better all the time...."
Friday morning I was frantic. I had just found out the previous evening that the towing company had been charging $20 a day to store Patsy's car while we had been trying to negotiate with the insurance company of the guy that hit her. We owed over $400 in storage charges. The insurance guy I had been dealing with was saying that the guy who hit Patsy claimed that she was over the yellow line and actually hit him. He implied that they weren't going to pay anything on it and were going to refer it back to our insurance company. Since we were only carrying liability on the car, we were going to be left without any compensation for the car at all.
As I said, I was frantic. I didn't know where to turn except to the Lord. I prayed harder than I have in a LONG time. I needed a miracle.
I called the insurance guy back that afternoon and apparently their adjuster had finally looked at the car and told them it was obvious that their guy was at fault and wrote it off as a total loss. They agreed to pay the towing company charges, set us up with a rental car for the next two weeks, and paid us about $1500 more than I expected for the car. Basically the situation took a 180 degree turn. Thank you Lord, the miracle is greatly appreciated!
In other news, Patsy is looking at an operation on her arm. It was broken in several places and needs pins or screws or something. It will probably be some time this week, but we're not sure which day yet. Prayers on that situation would be appreciated. Workman's Compensation is supposed to start sending her some money in the next week or two, so that will help out a little bit also.
David completed his move from Kentucky to Ohio last night. He got all of his earthly possessions crammed into one pickup truck and an SUV. His mom and I aren't too thrilled about him moving into his fiancée's house, but he's on his own now...not a whole lot we can do about it except make him aware of our disapproval of the situation.
We're defininately not off the log ride yet, but at least we're on a relatively straight stretch at the moment. I'm just wondering when do we get hit with the big water splash? That means the ride is about over, right?
Friday morning I was frantic. I had just found out the previous evening that the towing company had been charging $20 a day to store Patsy's car while we had been trying to negotiate with the insurance company of the guy that hit her. We owed over $400 in storage charges. The insurance guy I had been dealing with was saying that the guy who hit Patsy claimed that she was over the yellow line and actually hit him. He implied that they weren't going to pay anything on it and were going to refer it back to our insurance company. Since we were only carrying liability on the car, we were going to be left without any compensation for the car at all.
As I said, I was frantic. I didn't know where to turn except to the Lord. I prayed harder than I have in a LONG time. I needed a miracle.
I called the insurance guy back that afternoon and apparently their adjuster had finally looked at the car and told them it was obvious that their guy was at fault and wrote it off as a total loss. They agreed to pay the towing company charges, set us up with a rental car for the next two weeks, and paid us about $1500 more than I expected for the car. Basically the situation took a 180 degree turn. Thank you Lord, the miracle is greatly appreciated!
In other news, Patsy is looking at an operation on her arm. It was broken in several places and needs pins or screws or something. It will probably be some time this week, but we're not sure which day yet. Prayers on that situation would be appreciated. Workman's Compensation is supposed to start sending her some money in the next week or two, so that will help out a little bit also.
David completed his move from Kentucky to Ohio last night. He got all of his earthly possessions crammed into one pickup truck and an SUV. His mom and I aren't too thrilled about him moving into his fiancée's house, but he's on his own now...not a whole lot we can do about it except make him aware of our disapproval of the situation.
We're defininately not off the log ride yet, but at least we're on a relatively straight stretch at the moment. I'm just wondering when do we get hit with the big water splash? That means the ride is about over, right?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
What next?
No posts since November? Wow, I didn't realize it had been THAT long. Lots of stuff has happened since my last post, a few good things and some bad stuff as well. Let's start with the good stuff first for a change.
David is engaged to get married to a wonderful girl, the wedding is in August. He also has two new jobs in Ohio, both are part time, but between the two of them he should be making a decent income. He's moving back from Kentucky next weekend.
Um...I think that's about all the good news. Not much, huh?
On the opposite side of the coin, it's been raining bad luck on us for the last few weeks. It started with a call from the hospital to let me know that Patsy had just been in an automobile accident, she had just been admitted and was awake and able to talk. That's all the nurse would tell me over the phone. Once I arrived I found out that she was fine...only a couple of scratches on her arm and a bruise from the steering wheel on her leg. The car on the other hand was history. It had rolled onto it's top and was pretty much totalled. We're still arguing with the other guy's insurance company about compensation for the damage. So that put us down to 2 vehicles for 3 people. Not a serious crimp, but that meant someone has to be picked up and dropped off at work.
Patsy went back to work a couple of days later, had her annual performance review and got glowing comments as well as a $0.40/hour raise. An hour later she fell in the warehouse and broke her arm. Another trip to the ER, this time she came out with a splint on her arm.
A couple of days later her sister is admitted to the hospital with serious health problems, she's still there at the moment, but when she comes out we're probably looking at her being fairly unable to take care of herself with nobody but Patsy to take care of her...with a broken arm.
Fast forward to today...Patsy was driving me to work and got as far as the end of my street before realizing we didn't have any brakes! We were able to get back home and called Katie to come home from school so we could use her car for the day. Now we're down to one vehicle for three people. Pretty much impossible to schedule everything around that situation, so I'm borrowing a vehicle from a member of the church for a while until the truck gets repaired. Both master cylinders on the rear brakes need to be replaced according to the garage...a big bill we really can't afford right now.
All of this in the space of about 2 weeks...piled on top of all of the other minor problems we always are dealing with. I'm starting to feel like Wyle E. Coyote...when is the next anvil going to drop on top of our family?
I'm looking for the silver lining, but I just can't seem to spot it at the moment. Surely there's a pony in this somewhere.
David is engaged to get married to a wonderful girl, the wedding is in August. He also has two new jobs in Ohio, both are part time, but between the two of them he should be making a decent income. He's moving back from Kentucky next weekend.
Um...I think that's about all the good news. Not much, huh?
On the opposite side of the coin, it's been raining bad luck on us for the last few weeks. It started with a call from the hospital to let me know that Patsy had just been in an automobile accident, she had just been admitted and was awake and able to talk. That's all the nurse would tell me over the phone. Once I arrived I found out that she was fine...only a couple of scratches on her arm and a bruise from the steering wheel on her leg. The car on the other hand was history. It had rolled onto it's top and was pretty much totalled. We're still arguing with the other guy's insurance company about compensation for the damage. So that put us down to 2 vehicles for 3 people. Not a serious crimp, but that meant someone has to be picked up and dropped off at work.
Patsy went back to work a couple of days later, had her annual performance review and got glowing comments as well as a $0.40/hour raise. An hour later she fell in the warehouse and broke her arm. Another trip to the ER, this time she came out with a splint on her arm.
A couple of days later her sister is admitted to the hospital with serious health problems, she's still there at the moment, but when she comes out we're probably looking at her being fairly unable to take care of herself with nobody but Patsy to take care of her...with a broken arm.
Fast forward to today...Patsy was driving me to work and got as far as the end of my street before realizing we didn't have any brakes! We were able to get back home and called Katie to come home from school so we could use her car for the day. Now we're down to one vehicle for three people. Pretty much impossible to schedule everything around that situation, so I'm borrowing a vehicle from a member of the church for a while until the truck gets repaired. Both master cylinders on the rear brakes need to be replaced according to the garage...a big bill we really can't afford right now.
All of this in the space of about 2 weeks...piled on top of all of the other minor problems we always are dealing with. I'm starting to feel like Wyle E. Coyote...when is the next anvil going to drop on top of our family?
I'm looking for the silver lining, but I just can't seem to spot it at the moment. Surely there's a pony in this somewhere.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thank You
It's been a long day and I'm tired. I was sitting in my comfy chair relaxing and thinking about heading off to bed when I thought about you. My friend. If you're reading my blog, it's most likely that you're one of my friends.
I want to thank you for being a friend. Friends are important to me. Friends care about you and how you're feeling. A friend takes time to do more than just say "Hello" and go on about their business.
I spend a lot of time complaining about how life is treating me here. I know it's not the most cheerful of blogs out here in cyberspace, in fact it's downright depressing occasionally. Sorry about that...but the fact that you come back and check in on me once in a while means a lot to me and I just feel the need to say thank you for that.
I have been blessed with many friends over the years. I occasionally run into folks that I haven't seen in ages and they always smile. It's rare that I see someone who doesn't smile when they see me. Thanks for smiling, it cheers me up when I'm feeling down.
Some of you have helped me out in one way or another. Helpful advice or encouragement, making a comment about one of my posts, showing me how to do something, or even loaning me a few bucks. Thanks ever so much for your kindness and generosity.
I love you, friend. You keep me from giving up when things get rough because I know there's a shoulder I can lean on.
I have another friend, his name is Jesus. Just like you he helps me through each day and keeps me from giving up. Although I can't physically see him, it brings a smile to my lips to think about him. He helps me out and I see his hand at work in my life when I stop to pay attention. I need to stop and pay attention more often. He has a shoulder I can lean on and I do so fairly frequently.
Well, I'm still pretty tired, so I think I'll turn in for the night. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my ramblings. Love 'ya!
I want to thank you for being a friend. Friends are important to me. Friends care about you and how you're feeling. A friend takes time to do more than just say "Hello" and go on about their business.
I spend a lot of time complaining about how life is treating me here. I know it's not the most cheerful of blogs out here in cyberspace, in fact it's downright depressing occasionally. Sorry about that...but the fact that you come back and check in on me once in a while means a lot to me and I just feel the need to say thank you for that.
I have been blessed with many friends over the years. I occasionally run into folks that I haven't seen in ages and they always smile. It's rare that I see someone who doesn't smile when they see me. Thanks for smiling, it cheers me up when I'm feeling down.
Some of you have helped me out in one way or another. Helpful advice or encouragement, making a comment about one of my posts, showing me how to do something, or even loaning me a few bucks. Thanks ever so much for your kindness and generosity.
I love you, friend. You keep me from giving up when things get rough because I know there's a shoulder I can lean on.
I have another friend, his name is Jesus. Just like you he helps me through each day and keeps me from giving up. Although I can't physically see him, it brings a smile to my lips to think about him. He helps me out and I see his hand at work in my life when I stop to pay attention. I need to stop and pay attention more often. He has a shoulder I can lean on and I do so fairly frequently.
Well, I'm still pretty tired, so I think I'll turn in for the night. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my ramblings. Love 'ya!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Pennies From Heaven
Most of you that read my blog occasionally know I've just come out of a short period of unemployment. I assumed that by accepting a job, I'd no longer qualify for unemployment benefits. That stands to reason, doesn't it? Patsy only gets paid every other week, and we were between paychecks there. Also when going to work for someone you get to skip the first week's paycheck while they do the paperwork. Things were starting to get pretty meager around the Graff household.
At one point we were down to less than $20 to do us for a week. Where was the money for gasoline to get to work going to come from? What would we eat? How could I pay the various utility companies to keep them from shutting off our service? Rest assured, I was doing a lot of praying on the matter along with a lot of worrying.
I went ahead and submitted information to the Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services to let them know I had a new job...and they quickly e-mailed me back to let me know that I still qualified for a $60 check that week and it would be direct deposited to my checking account the next day. Less than 24 hours later I received $20 from a total stranger who donated some money to a cliché photo website that I run (it's free, but I have a "donation" button for anyone who wants to help me keep it online).
It wasn't a windfall, but that unexpected $80 would cover gasoline and put some food on the table. A few days later, a relative who knew the financial problems we've been having gave Patsy enough money to get us through the rest of the week without going belly up financially.
God seems to still be keeping me on a short leash, but I want to say "Thank you, Lord!" Just when things seem so dark, a ray of sunshine pops through to let me know that maybe things won't always be this difficult.
Yes, God IS good all the time. I'm slowly learning that I can trust in that statement as a fact.
At one point we were down to less than $20 to do us for a week. Where was the money for gasoline to get to work going to come from? What would we eat? How could I pay the various utility companies to keep them from shutting off our service? Rest assured, I was doing a lot of praying on the matter along with a lot of worrying.
I went ahead and submitted information to the Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services to let them know I had a new job...and they quickly e-mailed me back to let me know that I still qualified for a $60 check that week and it would be direct deposited to my checking account the next day. Less than 24 hours later I received $20 from a total stranger who donated some money to a cliché photo website that I run (it's free, but I have a "donation" button for anyone who wants to help me keep it online).
It wasn't a windfall, but that unexpected $80 would cover gasoline and put some food on the table. A few days later, a relative who knew the financial problems we've been having gave Patsy enough money to get us through the rest of the week without going belly up financially.
God seems to still be keeping me on a short leash, but I want to say "Thank you, Lord!" Just when things seem so dark, a ray of sunshine pops through to let me know that maybe things won't always be this difficult.
Yes, God IS good all the time. I'm slowly learning that I can trust in that statement as a fact.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Got A Job!
Well, yeah, I got a job. Not the greatest pay in the world, so I'm still keeping an eye peeled for something that pays better. I took a job with a local furniture and appliance distributor a couple of weeks ago. They first put me in the upholstery repair department but I couldn't do the lifting and bending it required, so they moved me into inventory tracking which is a lot easier on my back. I'd appreciate continued prayers that I might find something that pays better or a raise in pay at this job :)
Andy is still looking for work and it appears that they will be moving to a smaller place that is closer to Amy's job. Prayers for them also, please.
Andy is still looking for work and it appears that they will be moving to a smaller place that is closer to Amy's job. Prayers for them also, please.
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