This morning I received an update from Tom, and I would like to provide a portion of it here as an update. I also was able to video-chat with Tom, he is looking better by the day. The place were the Ascol’s are vacationing is perfect for them, and I am really glad that his condition did not prevent them from traveling.

Here’s a couple of excepts from this morning . . .

I rested fairly well last night and thought I was going to have my
first night without pain medication. But at 3 AM, both my legs were
hurting from my hips to my toes. It is hard to describe, sort of like
being repeatedly poked with thousands of hot needles. It was not as
intense as it has been on other occasions, and I am hopeful that that
is an indication of healing taking place. My equilibrium is still not
trustworthy. At times it is great, and at times it simply quits.
Fortunately, there are several places here that I can comfortably sit
and look out over the lake, and not have to move much at all. . . .

Thank you for your love and your prayers. Please continue to ask God
to work deeply in me through this. I would love to have my mental
faculties restored and to be emotionally balanced and physically
healed, but more than any of that I want Him to make me holy and get
glory in my life and family through this. Pray that I will have wisdom
in knowing what I should do and how I should respond to His
providential disruption of my life.

In conclusion to this update, I want to post another excerpt for encouragement, this time from Charles Spurgeon from his sermon “Israel at the Red Sea.” Spurgeon writes:

How sweet is ‘providence’ to a child of God, when he can reflect upon it!

He can look out into this world, and say–”However great my troubles, they are not so great as my Father’s power. However difficult may be my circumstances, yet all things around me are working together for good.”

He who holds up yon unpillared arch of the starry heavens, can also support my soul without a single apparent prop.

He who guides the stars in the well-ordered courses, even when they seem to move in hazy dances–surely he can overrule my trials in such a way that out of confusion he will bring order; and from seeming evil, produce lasting good.

He who bridles the storm, and puts the bit in the mouth of the tempest, surely he can restrain my trial, and keep my sorrows in subjection.

I need not fear while the lightnings are in his hands, and the thunders sleep within his lips, while the oceans gurgle from his fist, and the clouds are in the hollow of his hands, while the rivers are turned by his foot, and while he digs the channels of the sea.

Surely he whose might gives wings to the angels, can furnish a worm with strength. He who guides a cherub will not be overcome by the trials of an emmet like myself.

He who makes the most ponderous orb roll in dignity, and keeps its predestined orbit, can make a little atom like myself move in my proper course, and conduct me as he pleases.

Christian! there is no sweeter pillow than providence! And when providence seems adverse, believe it still, and lay it under your head. For depend upon it- there is comfort in its bosom.

There is hope for you, child of God! The great trouble which is to come in your way in your pilgrimage, is planned by love, the same love which shall interpose as your protector.

- Charles H. Spurgeon

I will be praying for Tom and for you. In Christ,

-Phil

http://www.puritanboard.com/f38/tom-ascol-struck-lightning-35498/

Be Very Encouraged,
Randy

Things are continually looking better as each day provides rest and reveals more evidence of healing taking place in Tom’s body. The family safely arrived in the backlands of Michigan where the family is enjoying time together. I hope to provide a more detailed update in the next day or so.

Many have sent messages vial email, Facebook, and blog over the last couple of days, and I want to express my thanks to you for taking the time to do that. I am working to stay current with those who would like to send a word of encouragement or note to Tom, though I think my yahoo account overloaded today(!). Good times though.

As I have done with my last couple of updates, I want to provide another excerpt–this time from John Dagg whom many of you know well. From his Manual of Theology, Dagg comments on Romans 8:28, saying:

It should fill us with joy, that God’s infinite
wisdomguides the affairs of the world.

Many of its events are shrouded in darkness and
mystery, and inextricable confusion sometimes
seems to reign. Often wickedness prevails, and
God seems to have forgotten the creatures that
He has made.

Our own path through life is dark and devious,
and beset with difficulties and dangers.

How full of consolation is the doctrine, that
infinite wisdom directs every event, brings
order out of confusion, and light out of darkness,
and, to those who love God, causes all things,
whatever be their present aspect and apparent
tendency, to work together for good.

When the mysteries of providence seems to cause us to feel the force of the unknown, we can trust in God’s infinite wisdom who always does what is right. As Tom said the other night before we prayed together, we cannot allow what we do not know to rob us of the things we do know. So unto the “only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!” (Rom 16:27)