Blessed is the One Who Trusts

Blessed is the One Who Trusts

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

Time with Mike was slipping through my fingers like the sands of an hour glass. Only, there was no way to measure how much sand remained before time would run out.

The glow of Christmas lights—carefully wrapped around our week old tree—reflected off the dark brown leather of the brand new recliner we had given Mike as a surprise.  But, the scent of medical supplies began to overwhelm the woodsy smell of pine and leather as our family room started to resemble that of a hospital. A rolling bed with crisp white linens...latex gloves...dusty rose colored emesis basins...and all sorts of choice equipment filled the corners of our apartment amid the clutter of toddlers' toys and coloring pages.

“These are the moments where you ought to get creative, make something special as a family,” the nurse urged.

Mom and the kids walked through the door with a bag full of projects. One of which included a set of four stamp pads in varying shades of green, accompanied by a piece of artwork depicting a barren tree with two love birds perched high on the branches. I quickly tore off the wrapping, grabbed hold of my beloved’s feeble hand, and, with permission, pressed his index finger into the dark ivy colored ink. Little by little, we adorned the desolate branches with Mike's fingerprints, still leaving room for Chloe, Caleb and me to complete our family tree.

My heart quickened with each second that passed, but my limbs seemed immovable. Every muscle engaged, prepared to put up a fight, and yet, bones staggered with the understanding that the events unfolding surpassed my ability to change. I could not undo the damage that cancer had already done to this incredible man's ever weakening body. He needed God's healing. He needed deliverance, and he needed it soon.

“Lord, how did we get here?”

“How can we possibly move forward without him?”

Just over six years ago we were enjoying one another’s company beneath the shade of the most breathtaking tree, happily situated amid the beautiful Irish foliage along the bank of Muckross Lake in Killarney National Park. We stood there simply amazed by the gift we had found in one another through the covenant of marriage. A new family had begun.

From the start, we knew that the best place for this tender sprout, "The Swanson Family," to be planted was by the waters. Surely, by the waters our roots could sink deep and draw from the endless supply of God’s love, power, and grace. Yes, there, in a deep-seeded trust in God, our family would receive all we needed for every season.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

As a family, that trust had been tested many times over the span of a few short years.

It was tested when the Lord told us to prepare to leave the comfort and familiarity of our hometown, the nearness of our families, and a ministry that we loved in order to start a church plant in Ireland.

It was tested when Mike received a diagnosis of stage 4 appendix cancer just two-months shy of our move overseas at the young age of twenty-nine.

It was tested when the doctor projected that Mike had 2 years of life remaining, after previously telling us he had many many years.

It was tested as treatments failed and the Lord's voice grew ever quiet.

While the temptation to uproot our faith frequently knocked on our door, by God's grace, Mike and I maintained our resolve to trust Him.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7

Trust —misapplied—frequently leads to heart-wrenching consequences. It is scarcely bestowed without evaluating the worthiness of its object. Despite all of the "earning" there always remains an element of faith that can leave us feeling quite vulnerable.  Even after it has been offered, we watch carefully, testing to ensure we have not made the wrong decision.

How perplexing it is when we have met the One who alone is worthy of our Trust—the Sovereign One—who in faith we have followed....yes.... followed...straight into the valley of the Shadow of Death.

We think, "God, we trusted You! Why would you bring us here?"

It was in the valley that I heard a faint whisper strike the core of my being, "Are you still going to believe me, even now?"

Suddenly, I realized that I had begun looking at my circumstances to determine, or re-evaluate, God's worthiness of my trust.

All the while, the God who took on flesh and dwelt among His creation, who suffered and bled for my redemption, who proved His worthiness before He formed me in my mother's womb, was using my circumstances (in part) to surface the genuineness of my faith.

I chose to Trust....Mike chose to Trust.

Who better to lead us through the valley than the Shepherd who brought us to it? Who better than the one who comprehended our path fully? Surely, the Good Shepherd, who willingly laid down his life for his sheep would not bring us to this place if it was not necessary, if there was not a specific objective.

In choosing to remain by the waters with each test that came our way, we discovered that the single choice to Trust him was our gateway to supernatural endurance. We did not wither.

It was our gateway to supernatural peace and rest. We overcame anxious thoughts.

It enabled us to continue growing. We grew in love. We grew in joy. We grew in patience. We did not cease producing spiritual fruit.

The answers to my questions were clear:
We are here because You brought us here
We will continue to move forward without him if we Trust in You,
if our little "Swanson Family Tree" remains planted by the waters.

It would only be a matter of hours before Mike at last received the healing and deliverance for which we had passionately prayed. His cherished mom and I were at his side while our little ones slumbered peacefully in their beds.

Mike's Good Shepherd led him straight through the Valley of the Shadow of Death into the glory of Heaven.

The same Good Shepherd would now gently lead this widow with her young through life without him.

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

December 21st marked two full years without Mike and we are still trusting God! As we do, we hear his promises, we receive direction for each step, and we enjoy his presence. Our trust in Jesus has produced a family that is not withering but enduring—at peace and growing.

Oh Lord, You are faithful and true! You alone are worthy of our trust! Help us to lean on You today, to follow You even when the road is uncertain, when the path looks dangerous or dark. You know the way to lead us safely through. Remind us that our ultimate destination is not the other end of a trial but is Heaven. May we have peace and rest knowing that You, our Good Shepherd, will bring us safely before the throne of God, faultless, clothed in Your glorious robes of righteousness. All honor, glory and praise be Yours for You are worthy! Amen!

by Erin Swanson











Faith of a Simple Man

FAITH OF A SIMPLE MAN

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, but still a virgin. Would you believe that? Could you believe that? Can you hear the gossip? “Did you hear about Mary?” “Still a virgin. Yea, right.”

Joseph loved Mary but what she was saying was impossible. It would take a miracle. But…Joseph prayed as he considered these things.

“Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

A simple man he may have been, but he knew the prophecy. He knew the word of God.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

He believed God and he stood by Mary—the woman chosen to bear the Son of God.

Christmas has come. Do you believe? Do you believe a simple carpenter could be used to care for the Son of God and his mother? Quiet your heart and trust the word of God.

Miracles happened then and the miraculous is happening still. Joseph’s faith in God—his trust that God’s word was true, along with his obedience—helped change the world.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24-25







Come and Coming

Come and Coming

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Matthew 13:16-17

I ran across this verse today and it struck me. Not that I am a prophet, or of my own accord righteous, but I could empathize with this thought of how much these people living under the old covenant longed to see the fulfillment of prophesy—God’s Messiah. With the apostles and so many other brothers and sisters through history, I, too, desire and anticipate the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus’ return—as he comes on the clouds with power and glory. Word of God, riding on his white horse. The Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Sometimes, when the clouds are especially billowy and beautiful with sunlight streaming through, my heart leaps in my chest with excitement, thinking, “This could be it!”

In this passage from Matthew, Jesus was pointing out the tremendous blessing these people were being given. They were in the presence of the Messiah! The one who had been anticipated for so long, and that so many had desired to see and hear. The wait was over. When drawing the parallels with our own wait, we can almost feel the excitement—the“hallelujah”on our lips! The time had finally come.

This brought me to the story of Simeon. He desired only a glimpse of the Christ. He could die satisfied if he just knew the ancient prophesies had begun to be set in motion.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32

Oh, that we might project our own anticipation into the excitement felt that first Christmas! The desires of the prophets and righteous men of long ago were realized in the coming of a little baby. Simeon knew exactly what that meant—God’s salvation come. His promises fulfilled.

Christmas is a remembrance of that incredible blessing. Whether we see Jesus’ return this side of heaven or not, we have assurance in knowing that God keeps His promises.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:36-37

by Siara Borning









Jesus Loves Me

Jesus Loves Me
merry christmas.jpg

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Jesus loves me , this I know
God sent his Son to earth below.
Leaving Heaven for you and me
He came to die upon a tree.

The Little Lamb who came to die
Paid the debt for you and I.
No room in Bethlehem , except a stable?
No matter, God the Father’s love is able

To conquer sin’s strong grip of death 
And bring to us his Peace and rest.
Weary child, “Be still and know
The God of Heaven loves you so.

by Darla Lewis






Good Tidings

Good Tidings

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

“Good Christian Men, rejoice
Good Christian Men, rejoice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say;
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow,"
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born to-day!
Christ is born to day!”
*

Jesus Christ is born. These four words may well be the most powerful and impactful words in the history of man.

I recently saw a picture of a baby in a wooden manger. The caption read…
'A thousand times a baby became a king, but only one time did a King become a baby.'

A helpless, defenseless baby. An Angel announced his coming, yet our Saviour lay in a stable. Heaven came to earth and who saw his birth? A young girl, a carpenter, some farm animals And all of heaven! Joy could not be contained. Heaven’s armies offered resounding praise before an audience of... shepherds.

Humbly, meekly Jesus came. The Gift-giver became the Gift. He was wrapped in swaddling cloth, but from his first breath he came to give us life.

A King became a baby, a virgin bore a child and the angelic chorus lit the night sky with praise. I believe with all I am that nothing is impossible for God.

“And Jesus looked at them and said "What is impossible with man is possible with God." Matthew 19:29

*Dulce Jubilo (In Sweet Rejoicing), attributed to Heinrich Suso
1328 AD