Sunday morning. I am feeling much better than I did last Sunday evening. A week ago, I could not stay awake. I could not hold a drink in my hands without dropping it. I was in bad shape. I thought that I could be living my last hours.
It is a week later, I am under hospice care, and I am feeling much better. The pain increases and we are trying to keep up with the pain relief. I can feel my body getting weaker.
Having family and friends in town this past week has been great.
Yesterday afternoon, two of my good college friends, Larry and Scott, and Scott's son Seth drove up for a visit and joined us for dinner. It was nice to catch up with these two friends and reminisce about our days at Dickinson College.
We used to see Larry almost every year when we lived in Atlanta and he was traveling for the company he worked for. I have not seen Larry since we moved up here eleven years ago.
We saw Scott once in Atlanta when he was in town for a wedding.
Having two old friends take time to come see me was a real blessing.
This morning, my wife made us a Fench Toast casserole. It was great!
Our children went to church, but I am unable to leave the house.
I am stealing away a few minutes to read my Bible, scan a devotional, and reflect in this post.
I have not spent much time thinking about death. Even though death is a reality for all of us, it is also a victory for the one who believes in and follows the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul writes that to be absent from the body is to the be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). I have nothing to fear. I know that God will be with me as a walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:1). God will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). So I choose to live my life as fully and productively as I can - spending time with family and friends and leaving whatever kind of legacy I can for the glory of God. God holds my past, present and future. I have the promise that He will continue to guide me through this life and then receive me into glory (Psalm 73:24) because of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ granted to me when I placed my faith in Him. With David, I can say that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).
Elizabeth George's devotional reminded me this morning that . . .
Nothing will ever happen to me that God does not already know about (Psalm 139:1-4). Nothing will ever happen to me that is a mistake (Psalm 139:4,16). Nothing will ever happen to me that I cannot handle by God's power and grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Nothing will ever happen to me that will not eventually use by God for some good purpose in my life (Romans 8:28). Nothing will ever happen to me without God being present with me through it (Matthew 29:20).
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8 comments:
Dear Mr. Bond,
We continue to pray for you & your family. God is using your trials to work in many hearts (including mine)& His grace & strength are clearly evident in your testimony. Thank you for your encouragement, wisdom, sense of humor, faithfulness, and loving heart. Even though you are young, you have already built a legacy that has honored God. Thank you for choosing to follow our Lord. We love you very much.
Penny & Mandie Schreck
Jim, My Sister sent me the email with your reflections and blogs. Having been away from Honesdale for about the past 25 years with college, army and my job I have lost contact with so many people. I am now in a transition from W. Virginia to a new position in New Jersey. Your blog from this morning has given me a sense of peace, to let go and let God. Too many times we want to take hold of the reins and steer the course. HE knows where we're going, even when we think we do and want to take control. I was unaware of the challenges you have been facing. Your faith in God and your ability to pass this on to others like myself is truly a testimony. I will pray for you and your family, and will add your name to prayer lists in my church and with friends. Thank you for being an inspiration and a voice of hope. God Bless You, Cindy Robbins
Dear Mr. Bond,
I can't begin to tell you what an encouragement your testimony has been to us as well as others in our family. I little over a year ago, I came close to going home to be with the Lord, but He saw fit to spare me and moved myself and my husband from NJ to NE PA to work with James and Andrea Schmidt in their church plant. As her parents, we had supported them with prayer and financially as He allowed but God wanted us to do more for Him. It has been such a blessing to see how you and your family have allowed God to work through you and encourages us to move forward for Him. We are praying for all of you.
In His Service,
Jim and Ruth Carpenter
Thank you for your honest and heartfelt testimony of God's grace and faithfulness. My heart breaks, but at the same time rejoices with you as you rest in God and hope for healing and/or the promise of heaven. I am praying for you guys. May the God of all hope grant you abounding peace and joy in these days and in the coming months. Blessings to you all,
Sharon
By the way, I found your blog through Olive Shoots', whose I found because my husband is a West Point graduate (1993). Again, praying for you and your family in the precious and powerful name of our Lord Jesus~
dear pastor bond - Good evening!
i was reading randy alcorn's book - safely home - about the chinese persecuted christians and can imagine our God looking into your home at each trial you face with the Lord in the forefront of your mind and being so very proud to call you His son...saying "well done, thou good and faithful servant." This is the first i was able to read your blog - whenever i had time to get on the computer i could never remember the name of what crazy song it was, but although I have not followed your daily blog, we have been ending almost every night for the past year praying for you and your family. WE continue to ask God for healing and for pain management. Our children have been touched by you and your family. I think Bailley and Brittany would like to marry your son James - they giggle whenever they see him - i told them probably Isaac would a more realistic choice for a 6 year old! So...if you would like to set up an arranged marriage or anything... :) Just kidding! :) Our 8 year old son Isaac looks up and respects you and James. Thankyou for instilling God's Word into your family and raising a son that that is a modern day knight. Last time i saw you was at the CCA soccer game a few weeks back and i just wanted to hug you and merrily both tight and take away your pain. We will not stop praying. Thank you for providing a job for my husband...we are so grateful for your generosity and care to us even thru your own calamities of life. God is Good. When we all get together, what a day of rejoicing it will be, when we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the Victory. Psalm 139 We praise God for you, Joy Caldwell (and family)
Whew, nice site! Been a long time reading blogs. I was so caught up arranging a family blessings convention for my church. I’m glad to have a good read.
Look at all the comments here. Well if you were talking about divorce maybe I can join in your heated discussion. I’ve just been to a series of Covenant Marriage Seminars, so I’m kinda touchy about such a topic.
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