This chapter re-affirms what you were talking about yesterday.....to marry within your faith. I think its a great point, and something I haven't talked much about with my boys either.
I'm not sure what to make of this new chapter. It really stems from chapter 9. I think its really interesting that alll the names of the men that took foreign wives are recorded. That's unbelievably specific. This was really a big deal to God, and therefore to the people. I find myself thinking about these marriages in our context of today. But, in all likelyhood these men would have had multiple wives, and giving one up wouldn't be as tramatic as it would be for you and me.
Any thoughts on this one?
I have a really good GM friend who is doing an international assignment in Sao Paolo Brazil. He is married and has 2 little girls. His wife's name is Delynn, and she is a real health nut.....and a total sweetheart. 2 weeks ago she was at the gym working out, and she hurt her neck. She thought it was a pulled muscle, but didn't feel right. She went to the hospital, and before she got in the door to the ER, she went into cardiac arrest. They were able to shock her back to life......but, it happened 2 more times. They suspected an anuerism. She was put into a drug induced coma for a period to let things heal, and reduce the swelling on her brain.
Since then, she has been making slow but steady progress. She is off the ventilator, she is awake more than not, she has been communicating with the doctors and to Rich.
Yesterday, she had another anuerism......not good. I'm hearing she went into brain surgury immediately, and they were able to get it under control.....not sure what it means going forward.
Here's where my fast comes in. I've been trying to get Rich and Delynn to church for 15 years........they came once with Kim and I. He is always very hesitant, and often makes fun of me for my faith. Since this happened to Delynn, Rich told me that he and his girls are praying everyday together. He is convinced its helping him, the girls and Delynn. But, I feel his faith is fragile.
I'm going to fast to Delynn to be healed, and for this situation to continue to bring Rich and his family to rely on God, and for them to grow in their faith.
Like you said......humble myself before God for the sake of this situation.
I don't have a real specific take on this but I just was thinking about how they new this was against God's instruction yet did it anyway. It didn't happen overnight maybe there was initial shock and then it became more accepted and eventually common place. Maybe not unlike other activity in our culture today.
ReplyDeleteWow your friends are going through an unbelievable struggle. I will look forward to joining you in praying for them.