Okay, time for another devotional.  This one especially hits home because I've been focusing on a couple verses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) which includes the one mentioned.  The Lord definitely is wanting me to get this message.  The devotional is from Our Daily Bread facebook application.  Regular entry below.  God’s Greater Goal READ: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. —2 Corinthians 12:8 I have an unmarried friend who prays earnestly for God to lessen or even remove his sexual drive. It causes him constant temptation. As gently as I can, I tell him I doubt that God will answer his prayer the way he wants. More likely, he will learn fidelity the way anyone learns it, by relying on discipline, community, and constant pleas of dependence.For whatever reason, God has let this broken world endure in its fallen state for a very long time. God seems to value character more than our comfort, often using the very elements that cause us the most discomfort as His tools in fashioning that character. This was true in the life of the apostle Paul, who prayed fruitlessly that his mysterious “thorn in the flesh” be removed (2 Cor. 12:8).In my own life, I am trying to remain open to new realities, not blaming God when my expectations go unmet but trusting Him to lead me through failures toward renewal and growth. I am seeking a trust that “the Father knows best” in how this world is run. I see that the way in which I may want God to act does not achieve the results I might expect.When God sent His own Son—sinless, full of grace and healing—we killed Him. God Himself allows what He does not prefer, to achieve some greater goal.  — Philip Yancey For Further StudyAstoundingly, God doesn’t exempt Himself from theconsequences of our sin. Read Why Did Christ HaveTo Die? at www.discoveryseries.org/q0202 God uses our difficulties to develop His Son’s likeness in us. ~~~   How cool is that!  I mean yeah it sucks that we have to go through difficulties and hurts but isn't it awesome that we can become stronger and more like God because of these things.  Look up the passage that I mentioned above.  I especially like 2 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NKJV). Alright, regular entry time.  Hehe.  I'm still doing good despite being totally messed up on my sleep schedule.  Like I didn't fall asleep until like 12noon today...so therefore it was this evening (somewhere around 7pm) when I woke up.  Ah well...doesn't matter a whole lot since I still can't really do much. I saw my doctor again yesterday.  Everything she tested for the week before came back fine so she has no idea what's going on.  At least she admits this and is sending a referral to the rapid dermatology clinic at the hospital so hopefully within a week or two I will be able to see someone.  Not gonna hold my breath though..."rapid" around here can take forever.   But I'm just happy my doctor is smart enough to admit when she is stumped and has decided it's time to send me on to someone who may know.  The last few years I've been stumping the doctors so why should now be any different.  LOL.  She did confirm however that I don't have measles, mumps, fifths disease, shingles, or any of those.  So that's good.  There was one area that is different from the rest as far as the rash goes.  And so because of that I had to go to the blood collection lab and give them some more blood to make sure my platelets are still good.  So that's the scoop here.   Hope you all are having a great day!