 He and Steve have been like brothers for sixteen years. His name is Jeff and it is no coincidence that our firstborn shares the same name. He can sing like the guy from Journey with a little bit of Bono thrown in. He is not married. Has had one girlfriend. Not that he hasn't had offers from girls, but he remains uncompromising in his stand against dating women who do not share his love for Jesus. It doesn't make sense that he's still single. Sometimes my breed can be so blind.  December 12th 9:30 pm It was a Tuesday. The apartment he lived in was destroyed in a fire. He had been in the apartment eating when the neighbor below him starting calling his name. The house was already starting to fill with smoke. He had just a minute to look around. He took his keys and a pair of sneakers. "Lord, I don't know what else to take, I am just going to go." Soon after he was out on the street looking up at flames shooting out his kitchen window. 15 fire companies and 150 fire fighters flooded the street, concerned about the very old historical homes that were built so close together all going up at once. About 500 bystanders. He got off by himself and sang the words to a song his pastor wrote. As he sat at our kitchen table this weekend, I asked him straight-forward "How do you describe the reason? You had to move back in with your parents what you really want is to be a husband and love a woman You have lost all your belongings what is it? What is the reason that for your entire life remained strong and steadfast in your belief and not quit the fight?" "YOU EITHER BELIEVE GOD IS SOVEREIGN OR NOT. His control over my life is very real to me. I trust Him." That was his response. I knew that was the truth--I have witnessed his relationship with God. He knows GOD is in control and it does not depend on him believing it. But the believing it and acting on that belief gives him hope and peace and strength. It alters how he views his days.  He lost every single thing he owned. Now in Febuary he says, "I have far better things than I would have ever bought for myself. Over 15 people have offered me furniture, they have given bags of brand new clothes." "It is one thing to say to God your whole life 'I trust you' but another to experience it. He is here. He is really here in this moment. And to look around and see so clearly how He takes care of me."   It was your grace that drew me to the cross It was your grace that gave me faith It was your grace that reconciled me to yourself Though I had sinned in every way You disarmed me of everything that I would lean on So I would lean on you and you stripped me of everything I would depend on So I'd depend on you In you alone my strength is found In you alone my hope abounds in you alone my strength is found my life is bound up in you And in my weakness give me still more grace Grace to cast myself on You In every trial let me find your peace and joy and grace to humbly walk with you O disarm me of everything that I would lean on So I will lean on You Jesus strip me of everything I would depend on So I'll depend on You. ( The words to the song he sang out on the street. Written by Mark Altrogge. published by Sovereign Grace Ministries. An album based on the puritan book Valley of Vision. http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=M4175-00-21 ) | 
