Hard, but very pleasant

I was going for a record of non-posting. How did I do? I've been very busy with my regular life and the addition of getting to take care of Walker every day while Kara works. So blogging has had to take a back seat. However, Walker is napping and I just finished teaching for the week, so I thought I'd post.
Unfortunately I just told you all I've been doing! No really, there's more.
Walker is foremost and such a sweetie. He smiles and makes my day. It is such a privilege to get to keep him and see him so much. I'm very grateful.

We're still searching for a pastor. Our committee is kind of discouraged in that we invited this really great guy to come in view of a call and after praying about it, he said "no." So we're back to square 1. Please keep praying for us and especially for our church. I know the members are getting tired and even impatient.
I've been having some physical problems so I went to several different doctors to get it all figured out. After lots of tests and x-rays and even a biopsy, I found out that I don't have cancer. That is the great news. But I did get diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis which is not such great news. I'm not convinced that I have it really. I kind of think that the doctor just wanted a new patient to add to his corral. So I'm going to another doctor to get a second opinion. I do wonder why my back hurts so badly and my wrist is swollen and my shoulders and ankles hurt. I'm still going to ask someone else because I'd rather not have RA. I may not get to pick.
I'm teaching Judges this semester. It's a great study as the Word always is. I hope we don't miss the point. Sometimes when we study, I think we get all involved in writing down our answers and paying attention to the little details and the application goes out the window. Surprisingly I think the point is "walking by faith." (It usually is the point and I'm still always surprised!) Israel failed to completely drive the Canaanites out of the Land because they were a generation who did not know God and so they could not trust Him to give them victory. Then the result was they lived among the Canaanites, married them and served their gods. All that was a direct disobedience to what God had told them to do over and over. So, God's anger was kindled against them and He brought pagan nations to defeat and enslave them. Then they eventually cried out to Him in their distress and He sent a judge to deliver, save and rescue them. As long as the judge was alive, they had rest in Israel. As soon as the judge died -- back to idolatry. And the cycle was repeated again and again. Sounds like me. I trust God, walk in peace and victory and then somehow find myself in disobedience and neglect of seeking Him constantly. The next thing I know I'm in a mess and calling out for deliverance. He comes running to pick me up because of His great lovingkindness and compassion and restores me to intimacy with Him. Then all's well -- till I fail to walk by faith and begin to walk in my own power and according to my own mind and BAM! Down I go again. As I've studied the New Testament scripture I've realize that is just not appropriate for a believer. Typical maybe, but not necessary. I've been freed from slavery to sin. It's power is broken by the saving blood of Christ and victory is assured by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Sin for the believer is not a result of slavery. For the believer, it is a choice. So I must pay more attention to the tests of life viewing them as put there to see if I'll obey (that's what God did with Israel in Judges) and more attention to living every minute by faith in God to accomplish victory as I submit to Him instead of to me. Hard, but very pleasant.
I hear my little darling calling for me. I love you all.