• Home
  • About Tom Zimmer
  • About Tom’s books and More!
  • GET: Moments with a Biker Chaplain
  • GET: UCOA: The Biker Experience

Tom Zimmer – PhotoBubba

~ Living life to the fullest while abiding in Christ

Tom Zimmer – PhotoBubba

Monthly Archives: February 2008

Presidents Points – Pam is starting a journey

23 Saturday Feb 2008

Posted by Tom Zimmer in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

It is late, and I haven’t had (or made) the opportunity to write an article this month. Fortunately my daughter Pam has just started blogging, and she posted this wonderful article about a journey she is starting. It is a scary journey, and we certainly covet your prayers for her during this time, but I think you will enjoy her writings. The title is a link to her blog, where she will be posting more steps in the journey.

Tom

Where’s the Joy?

I have had these words “trials=joy” on my cell phone screen saver for a couple years now. I claim them based on James 1:2-4

“Consider it pure joy, my bothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith developes perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I like that each time i check the time (does anyone else use their phone as a watch?), I see these words and they help to “center” me when life’s little hiccups come along. I would even go so far as to say I look forward to difficult circumstances (or at least things that take me out of my comfort zone) because i know i will learn something about myself or life or God. This has been the case for awhile now, until my most recent hiccup. I’m having a little trouble with the whole joy thing. I guess this blog is about my journey…because i will find the joy, i promise you!

So, my story is that when i was 21 i was diagnosed with MS. It stopped my life in it’s tracks…but only long enough for some really cool things to happen. JOY ALERT!

1. I surrendered my life to God. Yes, i had known Christ as my savior since i was a kid but was still holding the reins so to speak. When i was flat on my back for more than 2 weeks with vertigo, double vision, pins and needles in my face and some pretty bad headaches…i was brought to my knees, literally. Was I going to die? If not, what kind of life could i have? Would i ever get married and have kids (which were the ultimate and only real goals i had up until this point)? But there was joy to be found, when from my knees that i reached out and grabbed for my fathers garment…and He comforted me, and then…He healed me. Ok, so the doctors said i had relapsing/remitting MS and that i could very well go another 20 years until having symptoms again…but as far as i was concerned, I was healed…at least until God decides otherwise. But the point is, that from that moment forward, my life was no longer my own…God had a plan for me and i was on board!

2. The diagnosis brought my wonderful, sensitive, hilarious, all around amazing, albeit “anti-commitment’ guy to the place where he felt God telling him it was time to step up. Eric says he literally felt like God told him to take care of me…WOW! So, he got off the fence, we got engaged, got married, had 2 beautiful girls and are living happily ever after…seriously, we have an amazing marriage that could only be a gift from God himself!

3. I have had the privilege of viewing every healthy day of my life as a gift. No, that doesn’t mean i don’t get grumpy and irritated and self-absorbed and stressed out…but i try to keep an underlying attitude of gratitude. In the grand scheme of things…isn’t gratitude really the overflow of joy?

There have been MANY more joy sightings on the way to today and i ‘m sure i’ll be revisiting them on this new leg of the journey…which brings me to today:

I am currently seeking the joy again because the MS may be back. I am 36 after all…the clock is ticking on that 20 years the doctors mentioned. In the midst of the the Dr. appointments, MRI’s and tests is the WAITING! Waiting to see if my symptoms really are the MS returning. It’s HARD! But, really the hardest part right now, is that I guess i thought that i was prepared for this. Like when it returned i would be ready. After all, God had brought me through this trial once, I should feel confident He would do it again. BUT, i am finding i am less than confident…actually downright fearful. So, at this point in time i am attempting to claim a new verse, Romans 8:14-15

“…because those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father.”

AMEN!

— If you would like to read more from Pam, goto:
http://trialsequaljoy.blogspot.com/

Pages

  • About Tom Zimmer
  • About Tom’s books and More!
  • GET: Moments with a Biker Chaplain
  • GET: UCOA: The Biker Experience
February 2008
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
2526272829  
« Jan   Mar »

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 295 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • UCOA Meeting for February
  • Ice in Bartlett
  • Legislative Day, Bikers at the Capital
  • Preparing for Legislative Day 2023 at the American Legion Post
  • Benefit for Guardian Gadget in Rockdale at Cliff’s
  • CTHD New Years Day Ride and Bike Blessing
  • Bartlett Wanderings
  • Visiting West Point Lodge
  • ToyRunnerz 2022 Toy Delivery to Texas Baptist Children’s Home
  • Austin Toy Run

Archives

  • February 2023 (2)
  • January 2023 (4)
  • December 2022 (4)
  • February 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (2)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • October 2021 (4)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (1)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (3)
  • April 2021 (2)
  • March 2021 (2)
  • February 2021 (2)
  • December 2020 (2)
  • November 2020 (3)
  • October 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (2)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (7)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (6)
  • April 2019 (6)
  • March 2019 (7)
  • February 2019 (7)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (3)
  • November 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (5)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (6)
  • June 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (7)
  • April 2018 (6)
  • March 2018 (11)
  • February 2018 (7)
  • January 2018 (5)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (5)
  • October 2017 (11)
  • September 2017 (9)
  • August 2017 (10)
  • July 2017 (13)
  • June 2017 (3)
  • May 2017 (8)
  • April 2017 (13)
  • March 2017 (12)
  • February 2017 (7)
  • January 2017 (6)
  • December 2016 (10)
  • November 2016 (7)
  • October 2016 (8)
  • September 2016 (9)
  • August 2016 (4)
  • July 2016 (7)
  • June 2016 (17)
  • May 2016 (10)
  • April 2016 (13)
  • March 2016 (12)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (10)
  • December 2015 (9)
  • November 2015 (10)
  • October 2015 (10)
  • September 2015 (11)
  • August 2015 (12)
  • July 2015 (10)
  • June 2015 (10)
  • May 2015 (10)
  • April 2015 (15)
  • March 2015 (10)
  • February 2015 (6)
  • January 2015 (14)
  • December 2014 (7)
  • November 2014 (5)
  • October 2014 (11)
  • September 2014 (10)
  • August 2014 (16)
  • July 2014 (12)
  • June 2014 (23)
  • May 2014 (14)
  • April 2014 (17)
  • March 2014 (14)
  • February 2014 (10)
  • January 2014 (11)
  • December 2013 (7)
  • November 2013 (11)
  • October 2013 (13)
  • September 2013 (20)
  • August 2013 (17)
  • July 2013 (13)
  • June 2013 (18)
  • May 2013 (12)
  • April 2013 (22)
  • March 2013 (14)
  • February 2013 (9)
  • January 2013 (8)
  • December 2012 (12)
  • November 2012 (3)
  • October 2012 (12)
  • September 2012 (16)
  • August 2012 (10)
  • July 2012 (17)
  • June 2012 (16)
  • May 2012 (19)
  • April 2012 (25)
  • March 2012 (12)
  • February 2012 (5)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (7)
  • November 2011 (13)
  • October 2011 (17)
  • September 2011 (11)
  • August 2011 (9)
  • July 2011 (17)
  • June 2011 (16)
  • May 2011 (7)
  • April 2011 (14)
  • March 2011 (5)
  • February 2011 (4)
  • January 2011 (9)
  • December 2010 (4)
  • November 2010 (7)
  • October 2010 (9)
  • September 2010 (10)
  • August 2010 (5)
  • July 2010 (11)
  • June 2010 (9)
  • May 2010 (7)
  • April 2010 (2)
  • March 2010 (1)
  • February 2010 (3)
  • January 2010 (1)
  • December 2009 (1)
  • November 2009 (1)
  • October 2009 (9)
  • September 2009 (2)
  • August 2009 (3)
  • July 2009 (1)
  • June 2009 (2)
  • April 2009 (3)
  • March 2009 (2)
  • February 2009 (1)
  • January 2009 (1)
  • November 2008 (3)
  • October 2008 (1)
  • September 2008 (2)
  • August 2008 (1)
  • July 2008 (5)
  • June 2008 (6)
  • May 2008 (2)
  • April 2008 (5)
  • March 2008 (4)
  • February 2008 (1)
  • January 2008 (1)
  • December 2007 (4)
  • November 2007 (2)
  • October 2007 (1)
  • September 2007 (3)
  • July 2007 (3)
  • June 2007 (3)
  • May 2007 (1)
  • March 2007 (5)
  • February 2007 (3)
  • January 2007 (3)
  • December 2006 (4)
  • November 2006 (2)
  • October 2006 (8)
  • September 2006 (8)
  • August 2006 (3)
  • July 2006 (4)
  • June 2006 (4)
  • May 2006 (11)
  • April 2006 (10)
  • March 2006 (4)
  • February 2006 (5)
  • January 2006 (7)
  • December 2005 (9)
  • November 2005 (10)
  • October 2005 (11)
  • September 2005 (18)
  • August 2005 (1)
  • July 2005 (1)
  • June 2005 (1)
  • May 2005 (1)
  • April 2005 (1)
  • March 2005 (1)
  • February 2005 (1)
  • January 2005 (1)
  • December 2004 (1)
  • November 2004 (1)
  • October 2004 (1)
  • September 2004 (1)
  • August 2004 (1)
  • July 2004 (1)
  • June 2004 (1)
  • May 2004 (1)
  • April 2004 (1)
  • March 2004 (1)
  • February 2004 (1)
  • January 2004 (1)
  • December 2003 (3)
  • November 2003 (1)
  • September 2003 (1)
  • July 2003 (1)
  • June 2003 (1)
  • April 2003 (2)
  • March 2003 (1)
  • February 2003 (1)
  • January 2003 (1)
  • December 2002 (1)
  • November 2002 (1)

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Tom Zimmer - PhotoBubba
    • Join 62 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Tom Zimmer - PhotoBubba
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar