The Flog – The Fabry Log

It's September 11th, in case you didn't remember. Just another date on the calendar before 9 years ago. Now it's more than a date. For anyone reliving those awful hours and days because you lost someone, our hearts go out to you.

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I received another note from my friend Robert Sutherland about our “40 Days of Prayer” and wanted to share it.

Hi Chris,

One thing is for sure: you have me *thinking* about prayer more. That’s a start. No, I haven’t hit my knees yet, but, I’m sure I will.

Spent the weekend with my dad. We had the dreaded “Dad, you’re getting too old to drive” talk. He’s almost 90 … and takes a ton of medication. It’s time for him to accept more rides from family and friends, or to take a cab when that’s not possible. It’s time for him to give up driving himself.

He doesn’t like that at all. And he’s a bit angry.

(pause)

I’ve been thinking about that passage in Philippians. It’s hard to treat others as more important than ourselves, in a case like this. We’re not trying to be mean. Dad’s a nice guy. He’s kind and lovable.

It’s true that I never could have forgiven Dad for leaving us when I was five … if it weren’t for Christ’s example of forgiving my sins.

But Dad won’t be with us forever. And we need to honor God by how we care for him. Even if it requires “tough love.”

(pause)

This is the precise moment where I always ask others to pray for me.
It’s been a long time since I’ve stopped to pray for things like this myself. It takes less time and effort to pawn that burden off on others. Besides, I believe God will answer the prayers of my godly friends. I’m far less certain about God answering mine.

That’s too bad. I used to pray all the time. And I remember how God answered them. Sometimes, in amazing ways.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll help me get back to that point, Chris.

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Well, I don’t know if I’ll have anything to do with it, Robert, but I know God will. And if it happens, the angels will probably throw a Robert party. I’d like to be there.

As you read through Philippians 2:1-11 today, don’t try to pick up anything profound. Just think of Robert’s dad, and Robert, and your other friends who need prayer. Lift them up. And if you think of something you’d like to ask God, go ahead. If you don’t feel like praying today, that’s okay, too. Groan if that's all you can do. God will understand. He loves you so much he came to die for you. He put our need for a Savior ahead of all of the other important things in the universe.

He humbled himself and became obedient. To death. On a cross. For you and me. Amazing, isn't it?