Footprints in the Sand

In my mind it has been a long time since I wrote a blog.  But it doesn’t seem so long ago that I reached out for your prayers of healing.  Let me first tell each of you, prayer does work.  Without rehashing the accounts and what happened and etc., let me simply say, there is no doubt in my mind, without your praying and pleading with our heavenly Father, the healing would be very,  very slow; if at all.  I have complete faith in YHVH Elohim and I pray constantly to be in His favor.  Not a day goes by that I don’t witness something that reaffirms my faith and allegiance.

There were two occasions when I started to get down and to feel like I won’t have the strength to hold on.  But each time, He showed me the results should I not continue to believe and trust.  We have all read the ‘prayer’ about footprints in the sand; let me tell you, when I walk into the wound center for the hyperbaric treatments and see the wheel chairs lined up, I see the footprints in the sand.  When I go to the cath lab for measurement of blood flow and see the myriad of patients with a grimace on their face, I see the footprints in the sand. 

 

Most overwhelming was when I was privileged to be brought to the Rivers in the Desert Conference, although for only a brief period of time, and I felt the love of all of you, I knew He had me in His hands. No words can ever describe the feeling I had and I know I am not worthy.  How does someone like me deserve so much? 

The conference was fantastic.  I am watching the recordings during my two hour treatment sessions each day.  Just lay back in the chamber, and watch the TV that is placed nearby and pay attention to the speakers.  The nurse puts the disc in the machine and starts it and then takes me to atmospheric pressures beyond this earth!  Try this site for good general information: http://drcranton.com/hbo.htm This probably will be a very short blog; I can’t see for the tears of joy in my eyes!

My Heavenly Father told me not to give up, not to give in, not to become discouraged!  He told me a lot of other things too.  He said I needed a little bit more humility. He wants me to remember that nothing occurs on this planet without His express permission.  I have done nothing for me compared to what He has done with me.  I do believe that this incident that has occurred is a teaching tool for everyone.  Without belaboring the point, I have learned that it is incumbent upon each of us to be on the lookout for our neighbor.  It is of paramount importance that we do not shun the outreach of those about us.  It is okay if someone wants to help.  And it is okay if that someone wants to help us. 

Tonight I am a bit exhausted and will go to bed a few hours earlier than normal.  That seems to be the way it is here lately.  But I don’t want to go until I tell the world how wonderful and kind my wife is.  Yocheved never complains.  She is constantly there to assist me and seems to know what I am in need of before I can figure it out.  I ask each of you to please include her in your prayer for continued strength and determination.  She is a Proverbs 31 woman.  It is through Yocheved that I established a very close relationship with YHVH.  She saved my life almost twenty years ago, introducing me to YHVH, Who I did not yet understand.  Now, she is at my side to help me live that new life.  I love Yocheved very much. Yes, I am truly blessed! 

I love you all and I pray for the day when we can all rejoin and laugh and run and play as children in His Kingdom. 

Shalom, shalom

Pinchas a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time

Searching for the Gold

You missed it!  I just erased the blog that I was writing because for some reason it took a turn from being positive to being an acknowledgment that the enemy may be overcoming my positive mental attitude.  Can’t have that stuff swimming around! 

The good news is that starting Monday, should all go as scheduled, I will be undergoing treatment every day for a month in a hyperbaric chamber to rid my foot/toe of gangrenous growth and to increase oxygenated blood flow.  All I have to do is become able to lay flat on my back for two and a half hours.  This is an obstacle.  So, I am praying for guidance from my Father and should He deem it proper, I will be in the chamber on Monday morning.  This means that I practice laying flat throughout the day and night, trying to lay still and not focus on the pain.  The Docs are working with me on a way to overcome this.  The chamber is very picky as to who can enter and what can be in their system when they do.  I am told I am a good candidate.  Great!

So, with all this going on, I continue to ask you all to please grant me all the quiet time I can get.  Yes, this means I am asking you not to drop by just to visit for a few minutes.  A call on the phone is not prohibited as long as you understand that should I not answer it, I will call you back when I can.  I am not wanting to be rude, it’s just that I have no idea from one moment to the next when I will be sitting, standing, engaged in wound care, trying to sleep (since night sleeping is out the window), trying to walk, laughing, hiding my crying, etc.

 

Yocheved and I are learning a lot right now and we need a lot of time for study.  She is carrying the load, right now, I am the baggage.  So, we continue to ask family, friends, mishp’kha, etc to call ahead, and don’t be dismayed when we express reluctance to invite anyone in.  With all the Dr. appmts (three this week alone) on top of an already full plate, we are both exhausted.

For all who have jumped up to the plate and pitched in to ensure the Shul continues to be a place of Worship and Shalom, we thank you dearly.  We try not to call upon anyone to do anything that would cause distress in their own family.  And we would not think of burdening anyone if we didn’t need the help and know their gifts.  Knowing that YHVH wants a nation of Priests, it is good to know that Kol haMashiach is a breeding ground for what the Father wants.  For some, a gentle reminder that we are a House of Worship is apparent. But that goes without saying.  We all need reminders from time to time, of where we are and the reason we are there.  Let us not forget the great influence adult behavior has over our children.  What they see, they interpret according to their own experiences. They then behave accordingly. Please be a strong influence for Torah compliant behavior for everyone.

I pray to rejoin you all very soon.  Please don’t stop praying; not only for me, but for all of Yah’s Kingdom.  These are tough times we are all going through and the gold is under fire to get rid of the dross.  May we all find joy in the burning knowing that we will be purified in His sight.  

Romans 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Todah Rabah Dawn for reminding me)

Shalom, shalom

Pinchas a/k/a Frankly Speaking all the time.