Holy But

Many of you have heard me talk about the book The Rest of the Gospel (when the partial Gospel has worn you out.) This scripture filled, bible based book was written by Dan Stone and David Gregory It was handed to me about 12 years ago by my friend Christine. Since then I have read it at lease 4 times.  Two of those times have been in the past year.  I bought over a dozen of them from Thrift books and handed them out to friends.  This book counters some of the teaching I was raised on.  Yet I also realized its teaching has been sent my way throughout my life.  But there is just something about the way Dan Stone words it and presents it that has really helped me in understanding the gospel and where "rest in Christ" really enters in.  During this last reading of the book, I wrote a chapter summary sentence .  The goal was to help me remember as well as communicate the truths.  Today I typed up my summary.  As I did so ,I realized my current situation with Peter is a real practice ground for what God reveled to me in reading this book.

One of my favorite chapter is called the Holy But.  Dan we says what comes after the but, cancels out what came before it. That is where the truth is.  The sermon was good but... it was too long.  I love you but...I wish you wouldn't do that.   But when we state what is seen first and the truth of God after the BUT we live in the truth.  We live by faith. The Holy But changes our perspective from seen and temporary to eternal. It is how we live by faith bridging from soul response to spirit.  These aren't all spiritual truths but in the sense of the positive canceling out the negative I am going to precent a little Holy But in our current life story

Peter was late for his appointment Friday BUT the power outage canceled the appointment anyway.  He is rescheduled for 7:45 tomorrow.

Peter keeps getting displaced from parking garages for sleeping BUT is finding places on downtown store fronts and seems ok with it.

Peter misses his bed BUT he is grateful for the camping air mattress Melissa gave him yesterday.

Peter's reality is hard  to see face to face BUT yesterday Melissa went with me to see him in Athens and that made it fun. 

Peter says some crazy things BUT mostly he is functioning well and taking his meds. 

Peter manipulates my Mom emotional chords BUT this present distance and having great moral support is helping me do the hard things.

Peter doesn't profess Jesus BUT recently had started going to church with his Mama Millie.  Today he took himself to a big Baptist Church in downtown Athens. 

Sometimes my heart hurts so much for Peter BUT God promises his purposes and plans will prevail.  He works all things for His Good - and I can trust that he IS GOOD.

Sometimes I feel very alone in this BUT God has given me great friends and family.

I want to fix Peter's situation and remove his suffering.  I want to remove my suffering BUT God reminds me that misery is a gift - it strips away all the externals bringing us to the place of seeing him as our sufficiency.

Please Continue to Pray

• Peter to reach his appointment at 7:45 Monday and that it will provide helpful assistance.
• For Peter to find support - food, friendship, etc
• A safe place for Peter to sleep- Melissa and I found a government "tent camp" and it could be a possible option if he will pursue it. 
• Peter's safety, and sound mind ; he will continue meds
• I will get responses on the 3 options outside of Athens that I am pursuing.
• For the next step for Peter, whether its in Athens or else where - and his willingness to participate.
• My role - balancing the line between advocacy and enabling.
• God to be glorified in the mess.