"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." I grew up with that traditional Christmas story, loved by so many. On Christmas Eve, my 'Daddy' would sit on the sofa, with me snuggled at one side and my older brother, Donald, on the other side, and Daddy would read the nostalgic, rhyming story of St. Nicholas. I still cherish that well worn book, published in 1938, with the warm pictures of a chubby, smiling, red suited, bearded St Nicholas climbing down a chimney, his huge bag of gifts slung over his shoulder, while his eight gaily decorated reindeer and bell festooned sled sat on the snowy rooftop. I loved the story and I loved the idea of Santa Claus (who St Nicholas became), giving gifts to all the good little children. And, of course, I was always one of those 'good little children'. Yes, Santa was part of my childhood experience of Christmas. It wasn't long however, as I was growing up, that I realized my 'Santa' was really my Daddy, who made sure Donald and I had a Merry Christmas by placing 'just what we wanted gifts' under the tree.
As a family we immersed ourselves in all the wonderful traditions of Christmas....buying the fresh evergreen tree.......decorating with special colored lights and fragile balls....enjoying sounds of Christmas tunes and carols......baking cookies in the shape of gingerbread men, angels, bells and stars....reading Charles Dickens' story about Scrooge...watching Charlie Brown's Christmas and the Grinch that Stole Christmas...singing The Twelve Days of Christmas......and tucking away our simple handmade gifts in our closets until Christmas morning.
BUT, I also remember that in the midst of all the glitter, tastes and sounds of Christmas there was always a marvelous powerful Presence surrounding us proclaiming, Christ, your Savior is born! The deep traditions of Christmas trees and Santa Claus became mere ornaments when Luke 2 was read.....
"And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" Luke 2:8-14
Jesus was the reason for the season....Jesus was Christmas! So, besides Santa, Christmas trees, mistletoe and holiday parties other traditions played important roles. One year I made a ceramic creche complete with Mary and Joseph, the Babe, shepherds, sheep, cows, camels, wise men and one angel which I displayed on rich burgundy velvet cloth on the dining room hutch. Centered on our kitchen table the Advent wreath with its purple and pink candles reminded us of the coming of the Christ child. One year we added small candle figures of Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and two little white lambs and placed them in the center of the Advent wreath. A neighbor added a black sheep and tiny angel to complete the set. When our children were young we read the Christmas story while they dressed as the Holy family, shepherds and wise men and acted out the story. Mary was the coveted role!
Yes, Christmas is celebration, tradition and worship. True, there are grumpy moments, impatient moments, exhaustion moments as we do too much. But there is a Christmas spirit that seems to engulf our neighbors, shopkeepers and friends. One can't help but sense that God pours down an unusual amount of love at Christmas. He wants to remind us of His amazing gift of the baby Jesus, who miraculously was born of a virgin on a starry night 2,000 years ago and came to be our Savior!
Enjoy Christmas, celebrate Christmas, ring bells, sing carols, light candles, give gifts. That's what God wants us to do!
Friday, December 9, 2016
Saturday, November 19, 2016
What is Truth?
Over two thousand years ago, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in Jerusalem, asked the question, "What is truth?" Pilate spoke this when the Jews brought Jesus to him for judgement. Pilate had just exclaimed to Jesus, "You are a king, then!" To which Jesus responded, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." And then Pilate asked, possibly with awe and confusion, "What is truth?" (taken from John 18: 37-38).
Interesting question......"What is truth?"....and it is asked again and repeatedly in our time and in our culture. We have just endured a shocking presidential campaign filled with lies, innuendos, misinterpretations, twistings, slander, accusations and denials. We easily repeated again and again, "What is truth?" and "Where is truth?" Very disturbing.
When I think of how simple truth was to me when I was a child. My parents told me something and I believed it was the truth and it was truth. I was strongly taught to 'tell the truth', even if it hurt. To tell a lie was unthinkable...only truth would keep me out of trouble.
But in 2016, we see lying and subterfuge surrounding us. Our minds, emotions and our spirits are confused and angry as we contemplate what is going on. We don't like it and we scream for truth to return and make life orderly again.
I ask myself,"How do I find 'truth' in my world today?" I need 'truth' to sustain me through all the challenges and negatives that face me. I need 'truth' to comfort me, to encourage me, to steady me as I struggle through life.
In spite of the outward, cultural display of lying and twisting of truth, there is a source of absolute truth and thankfully I rejoice that pure truth is found in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Lying is sin....not telling the truth is sin......making excuses for 'that little white lie' is sin......distorting a fact is sin......and yet we ignore the word 'sin', we ignore that sin is against God and we, as a people in our culture, slowly move away from the source of all truth....GOD!
Renowned pollster, George Barna, recently reported, "Belief in God, trust in the Bible, and reliance on Jesus alone for salvation have all declined precipitously. Fewer than one in five adults believes that absolute moral truth exists and is defined in the Bible." (emphasis added)
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. These words spoken by Jesus emphasize the importance of truth...of recognizing Jesus as truth....of knowing truth...of understanding truth....of placing truth at the top of our priorities in living.
Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus states: truth..... honesty, fact, actuality, correctness. It sounds pretty simple and direct. So why is our culture so dismissive of truth? To me, it all boils down to knowing, believing, worshipping and following the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When I totally surrendered my heart, mind and strength to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of discernment and with that clarity I have no doubt what is truth.
The truth of Jesus shines in my experience with my healing from cancer. I recently saw my oncologist who told me with confidence and utter amazement......"Of all the patients with CNS lymphoma that I have known in my practice, you, Janet, have exceeded all statistics. If those patients survived the initial diagnosis, the most they survived was 3 1/2 to 4 years. You have now survived 6 1/2 years....unprecedented! Truly a miracle of God."
As we talked further, it was pointed out that those who survived even 3 1/2 to 4 years were under the age of 50! I was 74 years in July, 2010 when I was diagnosed with brain cancer and now I'm 80! In statistical reality I should not be alive. But here I am, telling people again and again that Jesus is alive! and that He is TRUTH! Believe in Him, trust in Him, and know that TRUTH comes from Him and only Him!
Interesting question......"What is truth?"....and it is asked again and repeatedly in our time and in our culture. We have just endured a shocking presidential campaign filled with lies, innuendos, misinterpretations, twistings, slander, accusations and denials. We easily repeated again and again, "What is truth?" and "Where is truth?" Very disturbing.
When I think of how simple truth was to me when I was a child. My parents told me something and I believed it was the truth and it was truth. I was strongly taught to 'tell the truth', even if it hurt. To tell a lie was unthinkable...only truth would keep me out of trouble.
But in 2016, we see lying and subterfuge surrounding us. Our minds, emotions and our spirits are confused and angry as we contemplate what is going on. We don't like it and we scream for truth to return and make life orderly again.
I ask myself,"How do I find 'truth' in my world today?" I need 'truth' to sustain me through all the challenges and negatives that face me. I need 'truth' to comfort me, to encourage me, to steady me as I struggle through life.
In spite of the outward, cultural display of lying and twisting of truth, there is a source of absolute truth and thankfully I rejoice that pure truth is found in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Lying is sin....not telling the truth is sin......making excuses for 'that little white lie' is sin......distorting a fact is sin......and yet we ignore the word 'sin', we ignore that sin is against God and we, as a people in our culture, slowly move away from the source of all truth....GOD!
Renowned pollster, George Barna, recently reported, "Belief in God, trust in the Bible, and reliance on Jesus alone for salvation have all declined precipitously. Fewer than one in five adults believes that absolute moral truth exists and is defined in the Bible." (emphasis added)
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6. These words spoken by Jesus emphasize the importance of truth...of recognizing Jesus as truth....of knowing truth...of understanding truth....of placing truth at the top of our priorities in living.
Webster's Dictionary and Thesaurus states: truth..... honesty, fact, actuality, correctness. It sounds pretty simple and direct. So why is our culture so dismissive of truth? To me, it all boils down to knowing, believing, worshipping and following the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When I totally surrendered my heart, mind and strength to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of discernment and with that clarity I have no doubt what is truth.
The truth of Jesus shines in my experience with my healing from cancer. I recently saw my oncologist who told me with confidence and utter amazement......"Of all the patients with CNS lymphoma that I have known in my practice, you, Janet, have exceeded all statistics. If those patients survived the initial diagnosis, the most they survived was 3 1/2 to 4 years. You have now survived 6 1/2 years....unprecedented! Truly a miracle of God."
As we talked further, it was pointed out that those who survived even 3 1/2 to 4 years were under the age of 50! I was 74 years in July, 2010 when I was diagnosed with brain cancer and now I'm 80! In statistical reality I should not be alive. But here I am, telling people again and again that Jesus is alive! and that He is TRUTH! Believe in Him, trust in Him, and know that TRUTH comes from Him and only Him!
Friday, September 2, 2016
Obedience
As I read scripture lately, I have been struck with how often we are reminded to "obey God". Obey? For some reason, in this free-thinking time of our lives, in our politically correct words and behavior, "obey" sounds harsh. We associate "obey" as a word used regarding our dogs. After all we insist our pets obey our commands and we spend vast amounts of time training them to obey. But do we seriously consider the necessity of real, true, God fearing, respectful obedience in our own lives? And yet scripture tells us again and again to obey God.
Then I ask myself, "How do I obey God?".... "Does 'obeying God' mean memorizing the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy?" (No, I don't think so!.)...."By obeying God, will I draw closer to Him?"
First of all, I looked at Deuteronomy 13:4 "You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and OBEY His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him." (upper case added). Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed OBEY My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine."
When I read these verses I realize it is advantageous for me to obey God. My inner conscience tells me obeying God is the right thing to do....for my protection, for my well-being, and for my security. By the way, my conscience is a gift from God....placed within me by the Creator, to guide me between 'right' and 'wrong'. It is interesting that I could completely eliminate my conscience by refusing to listen. Then God, in His ultimate wisdom, would allow my conscience to fade away so I would just follow my own selfish goals. Knowing that, I cling to my conscience and listen to it.
So, my conscience is right. I need to obey God. I like the idea in Exodus 19:5 where it says I will be a special treasure to God if I obey Him and keep His commandments. That sounds good! That gives me incentive to obey God. So why should obeying God be such a challenge. Is it because I don't like someone else telling me what to do? Is it because I want things my own way? Yes, and then again I am reminded how selfish I am and that selfishness gets me into trouble.
So how do I obey God? READ THE BIBLE! Not bits and snatches but Genesis through Revelation. Find out what His message is in its entirety...not misinterpreting, but comprehending the bigger picture. And that's what I've been doing.
I have discovered how meaningful scripture has become to me. The more I read and study the Bible the more I understand about God. I can read a chapter or a few verses that I've studied and as I read it again, a new truth bounds off the page and hits me with a glorious revelation of truth. God's word never ceases to amaze me!
When I begin to partially comprehend the vastness of God's creation, the wisdom of His Omnipotence, the power and might of this Almighty God, the unceasing love that He willingly and graciously fills me, His precious plan of redemption for me through His own Blessed Son Jesus....how can I not want to obey Him. He has given me all I need....why should I question my obedience.
He cured me of cancer. He has given me almost 58 years of marriage to a faithful, loving husband. He has blessed me with 4 wonderful kids and 12 talented grandkids. He has forgiven me countless times for sinful, selfish behavior. My God loves me! And I want to draw closer and closer to Him.
A loyal pet dog who is loved and cared for by his master doesn't hesitate to obey, especially if he knows there's a doggy treat waiting for him.
Yes, obedience is not harsh. Obedience to my God is what I willingly choose to do.
Then I ask myself, "How do I obey God?".... "Does 'obeying God' mean memorizing the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy?" (No, I don't think so!.)...."By obeying God, will I draw closer to Him?"
First of all, I looked at Deuteronomy 13:4 "You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and OBEY His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him." (upper case added). Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed OBEY My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine."
When I read these verses I realize it is advantageous for me to obey God. My inner conscience tells me obeying God is the right thing to do....for my protection, for my well-being, and for my security. By the way, my conscience is a gift from God....placed within me by the Creator, to guide me between 'right' and 'wrong'. It is interesting that I could completely eliminate my conscience by refusing to listen. Then God, in His ultimate wisdom, would allow my conscience to fade away so I would just follow my own selfish goals. Knowing that, I cling to my conscience and listen to it.
So, my conscience is right. I need to obey God. I like the idea in Exodus 19:5 where it says I will be a special treasure to God if I obey Him and keep His commandments. That sounds good! That gives me incentive to obey God. So why should obeying God be such a challenge. Is it because I don't like someone else telling me what to do? Is it because I want things my own way? Yes, and then again I am reminded how selfish I am and that selfishness gets me into trouble.
So how do I obey God? READ THE BIBLE! Not bits and snatches but Genesis through Revelation. Find out what His message is in its entirety...not misinterpreting, but comprehending the bigger picture. And that's what I've been doing.
I have discovered how meaningful scripture has become to me. The more I read and study the Bible the more I understand about God. I can read a chapter or a few verses that I've studied and as I read it again, a new truth bounds off the page and hits me with a glorious revelation of truth. God's word never ceases to amaze me!
When I begin to partially comprehend the vastness of God's creation, the wisdom of His Omnipotence, the power and might of this Almighty God, the unceasing love that He willingly and graciously fills me, His precious plan of redemption for me through His own Blessed Son Jesus....how can I not want to obey Him. He has given me all I need....why should I question my obedience.
He cured me of cancer. He has given me almost 58 years of marriage to a faithful, loving husband. He has blessed me with 4 wonderful kids and 12 talented grandkids. He has forgiven me countless times for sinful, selfish behavior. My God loves me! And I want to draw closer and closer to Him.
A loyal pet dog who is loved and cared for by his master doesn't hesitate to obey, especially if he knows there's a doggy treat waiting for him.
Yes, obedience is not harsh. Obedience to my God is what I willingly choose to do.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Horror and Heaven
Another horrific tragedy.....another painful attack on innocent life....another reminder that evil exists in our world today. When we hear and view details of the gruesome carnage in Nice, France, we are repulsed and drowned by grief. We cry out to God....why?...when will this end?...will this happen here? We are afraid and we worry.
BUT....I sit here at our lake house and I look out on the beautiful blue water, glistening in the sunlight with ripples running from the south bringing warm, comfortable weather. I listen to the slight breeze singing through the pine trees. I am drawn to the cooing of our faithful loon family as mom and dad loon swim about closely guarding their new chick. I admire the billowy cumulous clouds sailing overhead. I lay down my cell phone, close my computer and enjoy the lack of technology so that nothing disturbs the peace of God's creation. Then I am reminded....Yes, Janet, I am in control of this world and everything in it! Do not fear! My God reminds me of who He is and that He is always here. No matter what happens in this life, He is here! Don't be afraid...trust in Me!
Yes, our physical life can be snuffed out at any minute....accident, disease, cancer....we live in a precarious existence. We don't like to think about it, we ignore it, we close our eyes and silently think "thank goodness that wasn't me". Our physical lives could end at any moment and we really don't know when that time will be. The continual rise in terrorist attacks causes deep concern because we don't know 'when' or 'if'.
Now I know it is important to plan ahead....whether it is shopping plans, social plans, important appointments, household jobs, weather considerations, 'what should I wear?', financial plans, etc. That's why I have thought a lot about 'what will happen when I die?'
I can rejoice that I know what will happen...I know where I will be....I know Who will take care of me....JESUS! I am so confident in my heart and mind that angels will escort me to Heaven where I will be in the loving, peaceful, glorious presence of Jesus.
Before the brain biopsy that was surgically performed to confirm my diagnosis of CNS lymphoma in July, 2010, I had an interesting experience. I dreamt that I was in a tunnel, sitting in a wheelchair. I noticed people slowly walking from my left to my right, all hooded so I could not see their faces. Rolling along in my wheelchair, I joined the group. I somehow knew I was going toward Heaven and that gave me peace. Then, suddenly, someone turned my wheelchair around and I awoke and found myself back in my hospital bed. I concluded it was not my time to die and enter Heaven.
And here I am....alive and well! But that near death experience and the presence of Jesus during my battle with brain cancer and the vision of Jesus on May 26, 2010 leaves me without a shred of doubt. He is real! Jesus is alive! He is awaiting us in Heaven. There is nothing to be afraid of. I can trust Almighty God that He is in control and He is more powerful than the evil force that we see in this world.
To keep me focused on the Lord, I have been memorizing Scripture and when my mind is in turmoil those Scripture verses bring comfort and stability. I love the gospel of John, so I memorized the first verses....What depth in meaning...what power communicated.......
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it........And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:1-5, 14
That Scripture message in the midst of this scary world sustains me. Our Almighty God created this world which surrounds us and sings to us reminding us of His Omnipotence. And because of His faithful love for all people, God gave us Jesus, full of grace and truth, who willingly died a horrific death on the cross so I could spend eternity in Heaven. Amen and Amen!
BUT....I sit here at our lake house and I look out on the beautiful blue water, glistening in the sunlight with ripples running from the south bringing warm, comfortable weather. I listen to the slight breeze singing through the pine trees. I am drawn to the cooing of our faithful loon family as mom and dad loon swim about closely guarding their new chick. I admire the billowy cumulous clouds sailing overhead. I lay down my cell phone, close my computer and enjoy the lack of technology so that nothing disturbs the peace of God's creation. Then I am reminded....Yes, Janet, I am in control of this world and everything in it! Do not fear! My God reminds me of who He is and that He is always here. No matter what happens in this life, He is here! Don't be afraid...trust in Me!
Yes, our physical life can be snuffed out at any minute....accident, disease, cancer....we live in a precarious existence. We don't like to think about it, we ignore it, we close our eyes and silently think "thank goodness that wasn't me". Our physical lives could end at any moment and we really don't know when that time will be. The continual rise in terrorist attacks causes deep concern because we don't know 'when' or 'if'.
Now I know it is important to plan ahead....whether it is shopping plans, social plans, important appointments, household jobs, weather considerations, 'what should I wear?', financial plans, etc. That's why I have thought a lot about 'what will happen when I die?'
I can rejoice that I know what will happen...I know where I will be....I know Who will take care of me....JESUS! I am so confident in my heart and mind that angels will escort me to Heaven where I will be in the loving, peaceful, glorious presence of Jesus.
Before the brain biopsy that was surgically performed to confirm my diagnosis of CNS lymphoma in July, 2010, I had an interesting experience. I dreamt that I was in a tunnel, sitting in a wheelchair. I noticed people slowly walking from my left to my right, all hooded so I could not see their faces. Rolling along in my wheelchair, I joined the group. I somehow knew I was going toward Heaven and that gave me peace. Then, suddenly, someone turned my wheelchair around and I awoke and found myself back in my hospital bed. I concluded it was not my time to die and enter Heaven.
And here I am....alive and well! But that near death experience and the presence of Jesus during my battle with brain cancer and the vision of Jesus on May 26, 2010 leaves me without a shred of doubt. He is real! Jesus is alive! He is awaiting us in Heaven. There is nothing to be afraid of. I can trust Almighty God that He is in control and He is more powerful than the evil force that we see in this world.
To keep me focused on the Lord, I have been memorizing Scripture and when my mind is in turmoil those Scripture verses bring comfort and stability. I love the gospel of John, so I memorized the first verses....What depth in meaning...what power communicated.......
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it........And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:1-5, 14
That Scripture message in the midst of this scary world sustains me. Our Almighty God created this world which surrounds us and sings to us reminding us of His Omnipotence. And because of His faithful love for all people, God gave us Jesus, full of grace and truth, who willingly died a horrific death on the cross so I could spend eternity in Heaven. Amen and Amen!
Friday, May 6, 2016
Mother's Day
I am a Mom and it has been an honor to be a Mom these 50 plus years. Dick and I are blessed with four wonderful adult children and twelve grand-children. It is a privilege to be a Mom. As I think back on half a century of motherhood, I realize the beautiful gifts God gave me.
Our children, even though now they are adults with children of their own, are as precious to us today as they were that exhilarating day they were born. To think that those little babies, inside of me, growing for nine months, and then entering this world with all the capacities to become thriving adults themselves, proves the ultimate plan of Almighty God.
To think it all started when one of my cells joined with one of Dick's cells. Imagine! One little tiny, microscopic cell in my body met another tiny microscopic cell from Dick's body, and by design, that union of cells, over nine months incredibly became a son or daughter, was born and placed in the arms of MOM! When you study the fertilization process, the continuous cell divisions, the implantation, the timeline of physical body development...you will be overwhelmed. Just think...the heart starts beating at 4 weeks! Yes, we are powerfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139 reminds us of the fact that our Creator planned us and created us.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 13-16 NIV
I remember, though, when I thought motherhood was an impossibility for me. We have four adult children but I was pregnant seven times. My first pregnancy ended in a six week miscarriage, my second pregnancy ended in a full-term stillborn (you can read the story on my blog post of Saturday December 1, 2012 "Letter to Ellen...a mother's letter of tears and love") and my fourth pregnancy ended with one of my fallopian tubes suddenly erupting with a tubal pregnancy. Glenn was our miracle third pregnancy and #5,6,7 pregnancies were the blessed births of Beth, Carin and Diana....all within five years! Those last three pregnancies occurred with only one ovary and one fallopian tube which emphasizes how wonderfully and adaptable our bodies are created. Yes, I am blessed to be called Mommy four times!
We are created with intricate chromosomes, cells and body chemistry that the scientists are constantly unraveling. It is interesting about my tubal pregnancy. It was late 1962 when one Saturday I experienced sudden excruciating pain in the right side of my abdomen. I curled up on the bed unable to do anything but groan with pain. This lasted about 45 minutes. Dick was ready to take me to the hospital, but suddenly the pain stopped. I remember lying there with great anxiety wondering when the pain would return. There remained a dull ache but not incapacitating. A call to my obstetrician resulted in an office appointment the following week. Within weeks I underwent exploratory abdominal surgery. The result showed one fallopian tube had indeed ruptured but I did not suffer peritonitis because, in the words of the surgeon..."the body built a shield of protection around the area, sealing off any intrusion into the abdominal cavity, thus protecting you from full-blown abdominal infection." I remember thinking..."how did the body do that?"
Just recently I learned about 'laminin', that incredible protein molecule (there are millions) in our body that protects us daily from all sorts of invaders. I quote from one scientist, "Laminin is a protein that is part of the extracellular matrix in humans and animals. It has 'arms' that associate with other laminin molecules to form sheets and bind to cells." And I can't help but wonder if the laminin in my body helped to build that 'shield of protection' around my ruptured fallopian tube. Incidentally, 'laminin' exists in the shape of a cross! What an amazing discovery. The laminin in the shape of a cross....and the cross reminds me of Jesus who died on a cross for my sins....and the laminin is a protein molecule that protects my body from danger. WOW!
Again I am always amazed how our God has created our bodies...so intricate, so inter-related, with the ability to improvise, to compensate, to heal and most important to function. Scientists are discovering more and more the undeniable truths that a Creator, with ultimate precision, fashioned our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual bodies for fellowship with Him.
Motherhood is a privilege, a joy and a God given ability. Let us all rejoice for our mothers who birthed us as God intended.... and for us mothers who birthed our children so that they may live lives for His purposes. Yes indeed, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Our children, even though now they are adults with children of their own, are as precious to us today as they were that exhilarating day they were born. To think that those little babies, inside of me, growing for nine months, and then entering this world with all the capacities to become thriving adults themselves, proves the ultimate plan of Almighty God.
To think it all started when one of my cells joined with one of Dick's cells. Imagine! One little tiny, microscopic cell in my body met another tiny microscopic cell from Dick's body, and by design, that union of cells, over nine months incredibly became a son or daughter, was born and placed in the arms of MOM! When you study the fertilization process, the continuous cell divisions, the implantation, the timeline of physical body development...you will be overwhelmed. Just think...the heart starts beating at 4 weeks! Yes, we are powerfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139 reminds us of the fact that our Creator planned us and created us.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139: 13-16 NIV
I remember, though, when I thought motherhood was an impossibility for me. We have four adult children but I was pregnant seven times. My first pregnancy ended in a six week miscarriage, my second pregnancy ended in a full-term stillborn (you can read the story on my blog post of Saturday December 1, 2012 "Letter to Ellen...a mother's letter of tears and love") and my fourth pregnancy ended with one of my fallopian tubes suddenly erupting with a tubal pregnancy. Glenn was our miracle third pregnancy and #5,6,7 pregnancies were the blessed births of Beth, Carin and Diana....all within five years! Those last three pregnancies occurred with only one ovary and one fallopian tube which emphasizes how wonderfully and adaptable our bodies are created. Yes, I am blessed to be called Mommy four times!
We are created with intricate chromosomes, cells and body chemistry that the scientists are constantly unraveling. It is interesting about my tubal pregnancy. It was late 1962 when one Saturday I experienced sudden excruciating pain in the right side of my abdomen. I curled up on the bed unable to do anything but groan with pain. This lasted about 45 minutes. Dick was ready to take me to the hospital, but suddenly the pain stopped. I remember lying there with great anxiety wondering when the pain would return. There remained a dull ache but not incapacitating. A call to my obstetrician resulted in an office appointment the following week. Within weeks I underwent exploratory abdominal surgery. The result showed one fallopian tube had indeed ruptured but I did not suffer peritonitis because, in the words of the surgeon..."the body built a shield of protection around the area, sealing off any intrusion into the abdominal cavity, thus protecting you from full-blown abdominal infection." I remember thinking..."how did the body do that?"
Just recently I learned about 'laminin', that incredible protein molecule (there are millions) in our body that protects us daily from all sorts of invaders. I quote from one scientist, "Laminin is a protein that is part of the extracellular matrix in humans and animals. It has 'arms' that associate with other laminin molecules to form sheets and bind to cells." And I can't help but wonder if the laminin in my body helped to build that 'shield of protection' around my ruptured fallopian tube. Incidentally, 'laminin' exists in the shape of a cross! What an amazing discovery. The laminin in the shape of a cross....and the cross reminds me of Jesus who died on a cross for my sins....and the laminin is a protein molecule that protects my body from danger. WOW!
Again I am always amazed how our God has created our bodies...so intricate, so inter-related, with the ability to improvise, to compensate, to heal and most important to function. Scientists are discovering more and more the undeniable truths that a Creator, with ultimate precision, fashioned our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual bodies for fellowship with Him.
Motherhood is a privilege, a joy and a God given ability. Let us all rejoice for our mothers who birthed us as God intended.... and for us mothers who birthed our children so that they may live lives for His purposes. Yes indeed, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Forgive and be blessed
Forgive.....a powerful word and as spoken by Jesus, a blessed act.
When I think back on the past six years I am overwhelmed. To think that I am alive after my battle with brain cancer leaves me utterly grateful. God chose to heal me! Beyond all medical statistics I am cancer free. To realize that this 'old lady' has been blessed by God leaves me humbled. To think that this imperfect, sinful woman is touched by God proves how forgiving He is. I am nothing special, nothing unusual, nothing famous but Jesus spoke to me and promised I would be healed...even before I knew I would be diagnosed with a "lethal, aggressive, rare CNS lymphoma".
Yes, He has blessed me and yes, He has forgiven me and continues to forgive me. There are days when I'm insensitive, when I'm inpatient, when I'm grumpy, when I'm negative....with the people I love and are closest to me. But when I confess and ask God to forgive me, I know He forgives.
As I look back over these six years I can honestly say the cancer was a blessing because I've learned so much. It's interesting but when you travel through life with few problems it tends to make a person soft and lazy about God. How spoiled we become with peace and prosperity! But when real struggles hit us, when tragedy strikes, when life becomes dark and scary, then we remember there is a God and Redeemer, a Savior who will help us.
I've learned so much about Jesus...how real He is, how He is ever present with me, how His love holds me and no matter what I've done, He forgives me. I never thought about the spiritual world that much....Oh, I knew the Bible talks about angels and demons, but maybe I never took that seriously. But now I know. The spiritual world is all around us, ever present....the forces of evil constantly tempting us, lying to us, seeking to control us, yet the presence of Jesus and His angels is available to us to protect us.
In John's first letter, chapter 1, verse 9 "But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done." I like the idea of being cleansed or washed from all the stupid, selfish things I've done in my life. Psalm 51:2 "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
Back in 2006, Dick and I attended the ALPHA program. One evening our pastor asked if anyone needed healing to come forward. Dick rose from his seat and walked to the front of the worship center. I immediately jumped up and followed him. That winter he had been struck in the lower left chest by a hockey puck (he played defense on a local 'senior hockey team') and he suffered from long term pain and discomfort. Dick knew he needed healing. I stood behind him, joining in prayer for him. Suddenly, I sensed a beautiful white cloud encompassing me and immediately.. I fell backward, hitting several folding chairs, my glasses popping off my face, my body and my head landing flat on the cement floor. I didn't feel a thing...nothing hurt....no bruises...no bones cracked....no head injuries! It was as if I gently dropped onto a huge soft pillow. All I sensed was total and complete peace and joy. I knew I was in the presence of the Lord! The Holy Spirit had touched me. I lay there weeping, smiling, with tears dripping down my face in absolute worship.
Dick knelt down, "Are you alright?". He was shocked and worried.
"I'm fine...so happy...it's wonderful!" I responded in rapture.
Then I experienced the vision of Jesus.....He was kneeling at my feet....washing my legs and feet with an ordinary kitchen rag! I couldn't move! My spirit soared.... because I realized Jesus was washing my sins away! Imagine....my sins were literally being washed away! I hadn't asked for this moment, I hadn't expected this moment, but here was my Lord.... tenderly washing me clean!
Dick did not experience complete healing that evening but several months later the pain and discomfort were gone. In 2013 during an unrelated medical exam, the doctor discovered one of his ribs in his left chest had been cracked. That hockey puck had indeed broken his rib but it totally healed in 13 months. (He continued to play hockey!)
Yes, I now know that God is forgiving. He gave me the assurance in scripture.....as the writer of Hebrews in 8:12 quoted Jeremiah saying of the Lord, "I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore." What a blessing!
Jesus also reminded us what we must do toward others. "When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins." Mark 11:25
I am a sensitive person and over the years I've been deeply hurt by some people with their thoughtless, cruel, inappropriate comments and actions. I make an effort to forgive them....sometimes directly but many times prayerfully. I don't want bitterness to grow in my heart. I have found that forgiving others for hurting me is a blessing.
Jesus blessed me that evening in 2006, but since I am an imperfect human being I know I will continue to sin. How wonderful to know that as long as I believe and trust in my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, He will continue to forgive me. Truly,.... with forgiveness comes blessings.
When I think back on the past six years I am overwhelmed. To think that I am alive after my battle with brain cancer leaves me utterly grateful. God chose to heal me! Beyond all medical statistics I am cancer free. To realize that this 'old lady' has been blessed by God leaves me humbled. To think that this imperfect, sinful woman is touched by God proves how forgiving He is. I am nothing special, nothing unusual, nothing famous but Jesus spoke to me and promised I would be healed...even before I knew I would be diagnosed with a "lethal, aggressive, rare CNS lymphoma".
Yes, He has blessed me and yes, He has forgiven me and continues to forgive me. There are days when I'm insensitive, when I'm inpatient, when I'm grumpy, when I'm negative....with the people I love and are closest to me. But when I confess and ask God to forgive me, I know He forgives.
As I look back over these six years I can honestly say the cancer was a blessing because I've learned so much. It's interesting but when you travel through life with few problems it tends to make a person soft and lazy about God. How spoiled we become with peace and prosperity! But when real struggles hit us, when tragedy strikes, when life becomes dark and scary, then we remember there is a God and Redeemer, a Savior who will help us.
I've learned so much about Jesus...how real He is, how He is ever present with me, how His love holds me and no matter what I've done, He forgives me. I never thought about the spiritual world that much....Oh, I knew the Bible talks about angels and demons, but maybe I never took that seriously. But now I know. The spiritual world is all around us, ever present....the forces of evil constantly tempting us, lying to us, seeking to control us, yet the presence of Jesus and His angels is available to us to protect us.
In John's first letter, chapter 1, verse 9 "But if we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done." I like the idea of being cleansed or washed from all the stupid, selfish things I've done in my life. Psalm 51:2 "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
Back in 2006, Dick and I attended the ALPHA program. One evening our pastor asked if anyone needed healing to come forward. Dick rose from his seat and walked to the front of the worship center. I immediately jumped up and followed him. That winter he had been struck in the lower left chest by a hockey puck (he played defense on a local 'senior hockey team') and he suffered from long term pain and discomfort. Dick knew he needed healing. I stood behind him, joining in prayer for him. Suddenly, I sensed a beautiful white cloud encompassing me and immediately.. I fell backward, hitting several folding chairs, my glasses popping off my face, my body and my head landing flat on the cement floor. I didn't feel a thing...nothing hurt....no bruises...no bones cracked....no head injuries! It was as if I gently dropped onto a huge soft pillow. All I sensed was total and complete peace and joy. I knew I was in the presence of the Lord! The Holy Spirit had touched me. I lay there weeping, smiling, with tears dripping down my face in absolute worship.
Dick knelt down, "Are you alright?". He was shocked and worried.
"I'm fine...so happy...it's wonderful!" I responded in rapture.
Then I experienced the vision of Jesus.....He was kneeling at my feet....washing my legs and feet with an ordinary kitchen rag! I couldn't move! My spirit soared.... because I realized Jesus was washing my sins away! Imagine....my sins were literally being washed away! I hadn't asked for this moment, I hadn't expected this moment, but here was my Lord.... tenderly washing me clean!
Dick did not experience complete healing that evening but several months later the pain and discomfort were gone. In 2013 during an unrelated medical exam, the doctor discovered one of his ribs in his left chest had been cracked. That hockey puck had indeed broken his rib but it totally healed in 13 months. (He continued to play hockey!)
Yes, I now know that God is forgiving. He gave me the assurance in scripture.....as the writer of Hebrews in 8:12 quoted Jeremiah saying of the Lord, "I will forgive them for the wicked things they did, and I will not remember their sins anymore." What a blessing!
Jesus also reminded us what we must do toward others. "When you are praying, if you are angry with someone, forgive him so your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins." Mark 11:25
I am a sensitive person and over the years I've been deeply hurt by some people with their thoughtless, cruel, inappropriate comments and actions. I make an effort to forgive them....sometimes directly but many times prayerfully. I don't want bitterness to grow in my heart. I have found that forgiving others for hurting me is a blessing.
Jesus blessed me that evening in 2006, but since I am an imperfect human being I know I will continue to sin. How wonderful to know that as long as I believe and trust in my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, He will continue to forgive me. Truly,.... with forgiveness comes blessings.
Friday, February 12, 2016
A Special Plan
God has a plan. Isn't that amazing? To think that in this chaotic, unpredictable, dangerous world God has a plan for my life. In the midst of the turmoil, this fact has emblazoned itself on my heart. Why did it take me so long to be aware of God's plan? Here I am a senior citizen and I realize I should have acknowledged this years ago....certainly at least when I was a teenager! Oh sure, I knew there was God and Jesus but, I'll admit, my mind was on other pressing realities.
I remember focusing on getting good grades...Honor Society, possible scholarships, wanting to be Valedictorian so I could be Queen of the Fourth of July parade (never made it). Always trying ways to rid those pimples on my face. Trying out for any opportunity to sing a solo or act in the class play. And, of course...'boys'...yes, I admit, I was 'boy-crazy'....walking the halls of Ridgefield Park High School between classes and hoping that a certain 'boy' would notice me and say "Hi"!
Then during those filled, busy days of married life, raising children, pursuing a musical career... did I focus on God's plan for my life? I was so involved in doing what I thought was right, what I thought God wanted me to do, that my 'busyness' made me feel I must be in God's plan.
Yes, my former years mainly focused on "me", certainly not on a God who had a plan for my life. But as I have grown wiser and older and I look back on decades, I know God has a plan. He has a plan for everyone. The goal is to admit that and find that plan.
When we think of 'plan', our minds focus on many different things..... It could be ideas for a dream house. Or career opportunities. Or post-graduate studies abroad. Or social activities. But do I seriously consider the possibility that my Creator God Almighty actually has a plan for me? That my life has a purpose in His kingdom? That I was created and born at this time and place because He has a special job for me to do?
When I think of every person that God created to live on this earth was given a special plan by God I am amazed. We look at history and we read stories of these God fearing servants who knew God, obeyed God and accomplished God's plan for their lives.
As I have been studying the gospels of Mark and Matthew in two separate Bible studies this year, I've thought a lot about the actual years of Jesus' ministry, the disciples and Old Testament individuals. When I read the eye witness accounts of the followers of Jesus, it thrills me to realize these ordinary men and women were called and used by God for a particular, powerful moment in history. They recorded God's appearance as His Son in human flesh. What a privilege! And the Old Testament prophets and leaders gave us lessons in faith. They lived thousands of years ago and the way they obeyed God proves to us today that God had given them a plan.
There is a woman in Holland, MI who I've lately heard about. She is 92 and spends her days praying! Yes, praying all day. She keeps a prayer list and daily refers to it. Reminds me of the movie, "War Room" where an older lady has a closet for prayer. Amazing! To think that a woman is accomplishing God's plan for her life in her nineties by submitting prayers to the throne of Almighty God fills me with wonder.
So, what is my purpose? What plan did God ordain for me? Am I following His plan for my life? Am I obediently serving Him? Will I hear from Him one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
When I reach Heaven, then I'll know the answer. In the meantime, now, each day, I will read His word, I will talk with Him in prayer, focus on my Lord in my every day activities and see where He leads me. Surely, He will show me His plan for today, tomorrow and for the remainder of my life.
The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
I remember focusing on getting good grades...Honor Society, possible scholarships, wanting to be Valedictorian so I could be Queen of the Fourth of July parade (never made it). Always trying ways to rid those pimples on my face. Trying out for any opportunity to sing a solo or act in the class play. And, of course...'boys'...yes, I admit, I was 'boy-crazy'....walking the halls of Ridgefield Park High School between classes and hoping that a certain 'boy' would notice me and say "Hi"!
Then during those filled, busy days of married life, raising children, pursuing a musical career... did I focus on God's plan for my life? I was so involved in doing what I thought was right, what I thought God wanted me to do, that my 'busyness' made me feel I must be in God's plan.
Yes, my former years mainly focused on "me", certainly not on a God who had a plan for my life. But as I have grown wiser and older and I look back on decades, I know God has a plan. He has a plan for everyone. The goal is to admit that and find that plan.
When we think of 'plan', our minds focus on many different things..... It could be ideas for a dream house. Or career opportunities. Or post-graduate studies abroad. Or social activities. But do I seriously consider the possibility that my Creator God Almighty actually has a plan for me? That my life has a purpose in His kingdom? That I was created and born at this time and place because He has a special job for me to do?
When I think of every person that God created to live on this earth was given a special plan by God I am amazed. We look at history and we read stories of these God fearing servants who knew God, obeyed God and accomplished God's plan for their lives.
As I have been studying the gospels of Mark and Matthew in two separate Bible studies this year, I've thought a lot about the actual years of Jesus' ministry, the disciples and Old Testament individuals. When I read the eye witness accounts of the followers of Jesus, it thrills me to realize these ordinary men and women were called and used by God for a particular, powerful moment in history. They recorded God's appearance as His Son in human flesh. What a privilege! And the Old Testament prophets and leaders gave us lessons in faith. They lived thousands of years ago and the way they obeyed God proves to us today that God had given them a plan.
There is a woman in Holland, MI who I've lately heard about. She is 92 and spends her days praying! Yes, praying all day. She keeps a prayer list and daily refers to it. Reminds me of the movie, "War Room" where an older lady has a closet for prayer. Amazing! To think that a woman is accomplishing God's plan for her life in her nineties by submitting prayers to the throne of Almighty God fills me with wonder.
So, what is my purpose? What plan did God ordain for me? Am I following His plan for my life? Am I obediently serving Him? Will I hear from Him one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
When I reach Heaven, then I'll know the answer. In the meantime, now, each day, I will read His word, I will talk with Him in prayer, focus on my Lord in my every day activities and see where He leads me. Surely, He will show me His plan for today, tomorrow and for the remainder of my life.
The Lord says, "My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Surrender brings rewards
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-2
I've been thinking a lot lately of John the Baptist. Remember he's the one who baptized Jesus in the river Jordan and ate locusts and wild honey. We all know the story of Jesus' baptism, but do we think about how John the Baptist died? It's pretty gruesome, but King Herod ordered his soldiers to decapitate John in prison. John the Baptist was an extraordinary believer in God whose mother Elizabeth was a close relative of the Virgin Mary, who lived alone in the Judean wilderness, who loved God and prayed unceasingly, who knew Jesus was the Son of God, who was respected by the people in Israel as a prophet, yet was thrown into Herod's prison, had his head slashed off and that bloody head placed on a silver platter and presented to Herodias, Herod's latest female conquest who was his brother's wife. What horror to a beloved man of God!
I ask....did John feel abandoned by God?....did he feel abandoned by Jesus? What turmoil did his mind go through as he suffered in a dark, smelly, cold, stone cell with heavy chains clanking at his feet and little to eat but moldy pieces of bread and sloshes of water? Almighty God had called him to be part of His plan introducing the Messiah to the world, calling each person to repent of their sins and thereby usher in the Savior who would give people eternal life. And here John was....hopelessly and helplessly in prison.
Have you ever felt abandoned? ............ Have you ever felt totally hopeless?........Have you ever felt complete physical, mental, emotional helplessness?......
In our day and time we are trained, taught and encouraged to be self-sufficient, independent, self-reliant, positive individuals. "I can get myself out of tight situations....there is nothing that can prevent me from my goals....I can overcome any physical, emotional, financial hurdle....because...... I am strong!" Isn't that what we say?
Let me share what happened to me!...... If you've been reading my blog you know I was diagnosed with a 'lethal, aggressive, rare' cancer of the brain in July, 2010 and given 7 weeks to live. I was totally helpless.......physically, emotionally and mentally. I knew this cancer problem was the biggest challenge in my lifetime! I could hardly walk, could not use my right hand or arm, had trouble speaking, had nightmares, cried constantly, had difficulty thinking, had trouble sleeping.........and what was worse, I did NOT know what was wrong with me and could NOT fix it myself!
And in that state of complete helplessness and confusion, guess who took over? JESUS! In my total state of complete helplessness I desperately and willingly surrendered my body, heart, soul and mind to the Lord my God....and He took over! I surrendered my will to Him and He reached out to me and lovingly cared for me. Here I was...an independent, successful woman who had reached high levels of accomplishment...professional singer, mother of four super children, published author, strong happy marriage to a loving husband, and then in July, 2010....totally helpless, afraid of being alone in a hospital bed, unable to brush my teeth, mumbling words, struggling to move my right leg....so I surrendered to the One who was there all the time waiting for me. Instead of trying to fix the problem myself... I let Him fix it ...and He did!
I'm sure John the Baptist also knew that God was with him...even when he heard the soldiers approach his cell and saw them pull the long steel sword and force his head on the block. He knew...yes, he knew that Almighty God was there welcoming him to the joy and peace of Eternity....where never again would he feel abandoned, hopeless or helplessly alone. This physical life is only temporary. We have a Savior who gives us eternity in God's home, Heaven.
Yes, I learned so much going through the trauma of brain cancer because I surrendered myself to His plan for me. It's amazing how our helpless moments can result in triumphant rewards!
Psalm 119:33-35 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
I've been thinking a lot lately of John the Baptist. Remember he's the one who baptized Jesus in the river Jordan and ate locusts and wild honey. We all know the story of Jesus' baptism, but do we think about how John the Baptist died? It's pretty gruesome, but King Herod ordered his soldiers to decapitate John in prison. John the Baptist was an extraordinary believer in God whose mother Elizabeth was a close relative of the Virgin Mary, who lived alone in the Judean wilderness, who loved God and prayed unceasingly, who knew Jesus was the Son of God, who was respected by the people in Israel as a prophet, yet was thrown into Herod's prison, had his head slashed off and that bloody head placed on a silver platter and presented to Herodias, Herod's latest female conquest who was his brother's wife. What horror to a beloved man of God!
I ask....did John feel abandoned by God?....did he feel abandoned by Jesus? What turmoil did his mind go through as he suffered in a dark, smelly, cold, stone cell with heavy chains clanking at his feet and little to eat but moldy pieces of bread and sloshes of water? Almighty God had called him to be part of His plan introducing the Messiah to the world, calling each person to repent of their sins and thereby usher in the Savior who would give people eternal life. And here John was....hopelessly and helplessly in prison.
Have you ever felt abandoned? ............ Have you ever felt totally hopeless?........Have you ever felt complete physical, mental, emotional helplessness?......
In our day and time we are trained, taught and encouraged to be self-sufficient, independent, self-reliant, positive individuals. "I can get myself out of tight situations....there is nothing that can prevent me from my goals....I can overcome any physical, emotional, financial hurdle....because...... I am strong!" Isn't that what we say?
Let me share what happened to me!...... If you've been reading my blog you know I was diagnosed with a 'lethal, aggressive, rare' cancer of the brain in July, 2010 and given 7 weeks to live. I was totally helpless.......physically, emotionally and mentally. I knew this cancer problem was the biggest challenge in my lifetime! I could hardly walk, could not use my right hand or arm, had trouble speaking, had nightmares, cried constantly, had difficulty thinking, had trouble sleeping.........and what was worse, I did NOT know what was wrong with me and could NOT fix it myself!
And in that state of complete helplessness and confusion, guess who took over? JESUS! In my total state of complete helplessness I desperately and willingly surrendered my body, heart, soul and mind to the Lord my God....and He took over! I surrendered my will to Him and He reached out to me and lovingly cared for me. Here I was...an independent, successful woman who had reached high levels of accomplishment...professional singer, mother of four super children, published author, strong happy marriage to a loving husband, and then in July, 2010....totally helpless, afraid of being alone in a hospital bed, unable to brush my teeth, mumbling words, struggling to move my right leg....so I surrendered to the One who was there all the time waiting for me. Instead of trying to fix the problem myself... I let Him fix it ...and He did!
I'm sure John the Baptist also knew that God was with him...even when he heard the soldiers approach his cell and saw them pull the long steel sword and force his head on the block. He knew...yes, he knew that Almighty God was there welcoming him to the joy and peace of Eternity....where never again would he feel abandoned, hopeless or helplessly alone. This physical life is only temporary. We have a Savior who gives us eternity in God's home, Heaven.
Yes, I learned so much going through the trauma of brain cancer because I surrendered myself to His plan for me. It's amazing how our helpless moments can result in triumphant rewards!
Psalm 119:33-35 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
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