Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thanksgiving

This is the first time I have posted on this blog that Emily's aunt, Becky Dietz, has created. I am thankful for this blog. Many people have been able to be in contact with our family at the touch of a button or two. We appreciate the love and support that you have all lavished upon us. The encouragement that we have received is really hard to explain or put into words. Your prayers are felt everyday. Emily is doing so well and there is no doubt that it is because God has had his hand upon her the entire time...her entire life. But many times when we as Christians experience the the saving hand of God, we forget over time that we are where we are NOW because of what He has done. Remember king Asa in 2Chronicles 16. God supplied his every need during the hard times of foriegn invaders. But when a seemingly easy situation arose later during his reign, Asa relied on his own strength and finite hand. It is my deepest hope that everyone touched by God through this event in our lives remembers that when we see Emily talking and walking, sitting at the supper table, leading a Bible study, holding our children or just living life,that God is not only the one responsible for saving her and answering our prayers, but the one we need every hour. It is written about King Asa that at the end of his reign he became diseased in his feet. But even in his disease "he sought not the Lord, but the physicians". The Bible says that he slept with his fathers where they "buried him in his own sepulcres which he made for himself". Asa began trusting in God for his every need and saw his needs met. He saw armies wiped out by God on behalf of Israel. Asa had faith in God during his reign. But over time, Asa began to put his trust in the might and wisdom of men. Let us not forget what God has done and as my deacon always says "Let's be careful to always give God thanks for what He has done and give Him the glory in all things".
Luke Panter

5 comments:

amy wright said...

This is a song that I have sung over and over again in the last few weeks with you all in mind. It goes along with what you are saying. And it's true...it's so easy to trust God when we feel that he is all we have. But really, he IS all that we have. Thanks for letting us walk this journey with you. I love you guys! Amy


Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Becky Dietz said...

Amen, Luke! Amen. I have to tell you....God has kept taking me back to the story of Asa through this. Isn't the Holy Spirit amazing? The best teacher of us all. And thank you for posting.

Anonymous said...

For those who do not know, Luke is my Pastor. God has blessed us beyond measure by bringing him and his family to Bridgeview. Even at his tender young age, God has blessed him with knowledge that only can come from God. He has always kept his priorities straight,that being, God First, Then his Family, Then the Church, that God has called him to. I am so glad and blessed that Luke has time for me and calls me his Brother.

We are all looking forward to that day in the very near future when Emily will be back in place at home and at her Church home in which she loves so dearly. We miss you Emily because as the scriptures tell us that when one member is not present the whole body is not complete and does not function to it fullest capacity.

Also such great news about the fluid. PRAISE GOD. We love you guys, Ronnie

Anonymous said...

Luke:
Only way I know to contact you direct...been in touch with your mom-inlaw (my daughter)and this blog is a God-send. You guys are doing a wonderful job keeping us informed on Em's condition and I praise God hourly for his mercy and great love for us in taking care of Emily. You have 5 wonderful kids who are being raised correctly and I thank Him for getting you and Em together for great work for Him. Take care of all, for us.

Anonymous said...

Bro. Luke,
Great news about Emily, even to Saturday morning when she is talking to her Mom. We Will continue to pray for her and you and family and trust the Good Lord knows what is best.
Thank you for your response on the blog. It is very meaningful.
Your Church Friends,
Marion, Glenna and Jack W.