"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; Lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty."
I was thinking of this verse this morning. I want to thank Brian for taking me to the doctor on Monday. And I want to thank Jen for shopping with me (do you want to buy some boots?). And also thank you, Kara and Casey for game night at your home. I�d also like to thank those who have prayed, that is a help too.
In this passage, Job is talking to his visiting friends. His argument deals with people (namely, himself) who are suffering, that have said things they should not have said. In the very next verse (Job 6:15), he accuses his friends of being like a wadi (�brook� in the King James). A wadi is a Middle Eastern streambed that is plentiful in the rainy season, but dry in the summer, when water is hard to find.
The word �kindness� in verse 14 is the Hebrew word chesed. It is often translated �lovingkindness� or �loyal love.�
I want to thank you all for your �loyal love.� It has been a constant blessing to me, and it has reminded me that �loyal love� is to be my response to God during trials. My �loyal love� for my Heavenly Father increases my faith in Him. And it helps me to know that He is seeking the absolute best for my life.
Have you ever wondered why some people break and crack and ultimately reject God when trials enter their lives? One reason, I am persuaded, is that their friends are like the deceitful wadi. Don�t be like �the stream of brooks that pass away;� but be loyal in love and devotion both to God and to man.
james micah
Well, I saw Dr. Kochar today.
The good news is I have a brain. The bad news is...I have a brain. ???
The truth is Dr. Kochar cannot explain my symptoms. So for right now, I do not have MS. But I am going to take my MRI films to see another neurologist just to make certain. And hopefully he will be able to help me. If not...then that's okay.
Thanks for your support. I love you all.
james micah
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from my friend, danielle jennifer:
He is your center and He WILL hold.
Is He yours?
jmb
about the title:
Brian and I waited on the draw bridge. It was an adventure, right Brian?
Last night was pretty rough. I had thoughts of going to the emergency room.
For seven years I have been going to the docTOR. It�s hard for me to go to see one. And I couldn�t help but think of a tor�a high rocky hill�that I have to climb every time I drag myself to see a doctor.
Now, I find myself in the greatest trial of my life: I am sitting in the dock waiting for the verdict. You see, I have to wait for the DOCKtor to tell me if I have a life long illness or not.
But I cannot forget there is a Great Physician. And He climbed the tor of Golgotha for me and for you. And though I should have been in the dock�an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial�He took my place. And though He committed no crime, He accepted my punishment. By His blood I am justified (Rom. 5:9). And through His resurrection, by God�s mercy, I have a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3).
james micah
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I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Although many of you, dear readers, have sent messages to cheer me up--and I am thankful for all of them!--tonight, I got an e-mail from a special friend who sent a verse that I'd like to share. Deborah, thank you so much for sending me this passage, I really needed it tonight.
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
I don't think any comment is needed, do you? Isn't our God wonderful?
james micah
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If you are wondering about the title of today's log, it has to do with Pam, Jen and I (and another table of church folk) eating out after the morning service. You have to love a good cup (or bowl, Jen) of potato soup on a rainy, sweater-day.
I love comments. So please, feel free.
"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be."
Ecclesiastes 11:3
This has to be one of my favorite verses in the Bible. I know I might not understand the full exegetical construction of this passage, but it speaks to me of God's rule in our lives. I think it is about His humor too. The deeper meaning, as I see it has to do with His Faithfulness. We ignore so many things--I mean we take for granted that a dead tree falls and stays where it has fallen; we don't think about our air supply or the consistency of gravity.
God has ordered not only our lives, but our universe. He sees everything; He sustains everything. How is it that we don't realize He wants our best, when by His grace He has provided for our well being?
james micah
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Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore Him;
Praise Him angels in the height;
Sun and moon, rejoice before Him;
Praise Him, all ye stars of light.
Praise the Lord for He hath spoken;
Worlds His mighty voice obeyed;
Laws that never shall be broken,
For their guidance He hath made.
Richard Mant
Thank God for friends. Brian, Danielle, and Jen made my MRI appointment the best "doctors" visit yet. Thanks guys.
Well, the MRI only took 12 minutes. And only a few minutes after that I had the films that showed my brain. It was strange seeing it. But I kind of liked it.
Now...the waiting...my next appointment, when my films will be read, is Monday, September 30. So, pray that God will give me patience and grace not to worry. I am in His care: He's my Father and He wants the best for me.
Well, I need to eat my Taco Bell, that high intensity magnetic field made me hungry.
james micah
Isn't it amazing that God's mercy is new every day? He is so wonderful. Praise His name. Even when things are bad, He only wants our best. Truly, He is worthy to be praised.
james micah
My name is james micah bohannon. My parents and family all call me micah. But by some friends, and in the state of Michigan, I am called james. I don't mind this duality, it has never bothered me. It does confuse some people, though.
It is probably apparent now why jbo, it comes from james and my last name. It was developed as a nickname by a good friend of mine who will remain nameless. It became very popular at Bob Jones University and has stuck with me. Welcome to jbo.
just the facts:
- dreamer (how can one not be, when he's a friend of the crazy dreamers?)
- not particularly fond of chocolate, will eat it occasionally (espicially if covering a cherry)
- musician
- likes to write from time to time
- Me Zhaïrhiànde onsepitone avhènba.1
- I have been chosen.
location: virginia beach, VA (city)
Location: 36.73936 N, 76.04367 W
Population: 426,800
Area: 643.2 sq km (land), 151.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 23451, 23452, 23454, 23455, 23456, 23459, 23462, 23464
There is one town in the United States named Bohannon, and I've been there.
Bohannon, VA 23021
1I have an invented language.