"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55: 8-9
How Janet loved those verses. And how she pondered those verses. How many times she wondered why God was doing certain things, why her life was going in certain directions, why were there wars, and also what would happen to her and what would happen to her family in the days and years to come. Those verses helped her to realize that God is beyond her limited knowledge and beyond her ability to control most of what is in this world. God is all powerful, in control, omnipotent, omniscient and too amazing for her to begin to understand!
For one thing she thought about their four children and how much she and Dick loved them. She thought back over the years and fondly recalled those precious memories of infancy, toddler years, then school age, then college, then weddings and grandchildren. How fast those busy years flew by but she was so thankful she and Dick had spent time and energy loving and caring for their precious off-spring.
Now she thought fondly about their four adult children and how much they loved and cared for their own children (our twelve grandchildren). How beautiful to see! And the realization hit her. We love our children more than we love our parents! It is a downward progression! Sure she loved her parents, respected them, spent time with them as they grew older, cared for them and now remember them with absolute endearment. But...there was this deep passionate love for her own children that surpassed even the love she had for her parents. And now she saw that reality passed down into her children's love for their children.
In fact, she knew that her adult children preferred to spend time with their children rather than with her. And that is OK because the love is constantly transmitting downward to the next generation. And she realized that is the way God designed it. Love never stops...it just continues passing on.
God is the same. It made her realize that God the Father, the Creator of us all loves us with a deep passionate love because we are His children. Look what He did for us? He loved us so deeply, He sent Himself, through His Son, to shed His blood and die for us so we could be given the gift of eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Janet knew, if necessary, she would literally die for her own children so she began to understand the great love God has for all of His children. Yes, the whole world...everyone whoever lived, because we are all created by our loving Father, are given the gift of spending eternity with our Father IF we believe that indeed Jesus died for us. Very simple...and very awesome!
She had never totally understood the depths of God's love, but when taken in the context of a mother's or father's love for our own children, she began to understand.
That parental love never ceases, even when the children are older and graying! Never a day goes by that she does not pray for each of them....that the Lord will protect them, keep them in His care, send His angels to surround them and continue to lead them in His path of love and wisdom.
She praised God that He has given her the gift of living in these senior years to see how God's ways are far beyond anything she could imagine!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Teach us to pray
What did she remember about prayer? Did someone teach her? Did someone pray with her? Janet thought back on her childhood. Yes, her mom and dad prayed. They took her to church and Sunday school. Teachers at church told the children, "Close your eyes and fold your hands...like this...and we'll pray to God." She remembered peeking around at her classmates and seeing them seriously and dutifully closing their eyes and folding hands. She heard the Lord's Prayer as a youngster in church and then at school.
Every school day at Roosevelt School in Ridgefield Park, NJ the 'Opening Exercises' promptly began the day. The teacher or one of the better readers in the class would read verses from the Bible. Since this was during the 1940s, the black leather bound Bible that sat on the teacher's desk was the King James version. Usually chosen was Psalm 23 or Psalm 100 or even Psalm 1, but the reading was reverent and respectful. Following the reading everyone in the classroom recited the Lord's Prayer. No giggling, no excuses...everyone joined in praying. Then, of course, the class would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. A normal day in the life of an elementary school child during the 1940s.
Janet thought about praying the Lord's Prayer. As a young child she wasn't sure what some of it meant. "Our Father"...that was simple enough. She understood at an early age that God the Father was a God of love. And of course, since her own father, Daddy, loved her intensely, she could identify with that.
The next phrase always baffled her. The version she learned as a child was, "which art in Heaven". As a child she always wondered why that phrase wasn't more personal with a 'who' instead of the word 'which'. "Hallowed be Thy name" was understandable even though 'hallowed' was a difficult word for a young child to spell. "The kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" was a phrase she always loved because it made her think of Heaven as a glorious, happy place. "Give us this day our daily bread" made her thankful she would never be hungry. "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"...she remembered how confused that phrase meant to a young girl in the Presbyterian church. After all, what were debts and debtors? Then when her parents decided to attend the Methodist church, the wording changed to trespasses and trespass. That was even harder to say! "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" gave her protective comfort. Then, how she loved the closing phrases..."For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen".
As an adult she had sung Albert Hay Malotte's musical arrangement of The Lord's Prayer hundreds of times for weddings, funerals and special events. A vocal joy to sing those words, understand those words and communicate those loving words that Jesus spoke to teach His disciples how to pray. A special privilege to sing!
Oh how her knowledge of prayer had grown over the years. She had recently discovered the intimacy one gains with Jesus when in prayer. By opening her heart, pouring our her struggles, her uncertainties, her fears, her confessions but also her praises and worship to this wonderful magnificent, holy God was a humble experience! Long ago she had realized prayer isn't a formal collection of proper verbiage but a conversation...simple, direct and open.
Yes, and since the cancer, she fully realized how powerful prayer really is! When friends, family, acquaintances found out she had the diagnosis of brain cancer, they prayed! She now knew that God hears every prayer and always answers how He knows best. We sometimes get upset and even angry at God because he doesn't answer our prayer the way we think is best. But Janet knew with certainty that God is in control of all things, so prayer is answered in accordance with His plan. She was reminded again and again that God had chosen to save her from cancer and prolong her life because she still had work to do. How humble she felt! How glorious she felt knowing that God was using her for His purposes!
Now she prayed with vigor for friends and family to come closer to God, to surrender to Jesus and be assured of graduation into His heavenly paradise! Prayer is special, prayer enables us to talk with God and prayer gives us opportunity to listen to Him. What a blessed conversation!
As Rev. W. M. Clow wrote, "One of the gravest obstacles in the way of believing that God answers prayer is that to do so would be alter His own natural and moral laws, and hence to 'change His mind'. The answer must be along such lines as to ask, 'What is God's mind?' According to Jesus, it is fellowship with man and that forever. All else subserves that great plan, and prayer, the medium whereby man enters into communion with his God, is surely provided for in the scheme of creation. Christians do, in fact, experience answer to prayer, whether it be direct or indirect, immediate or deferred; and the final answer to prayer is summed up for us in Jesus' words: 'How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit.' Whatever we want, all that we really need is God; and prayer brings us God."
Every school day at Roosevelt School in Ridgefield Park, NJ the 'Opening Exercises' promptly began the day. The teacher or one of the better readers in the class would read verses from the Bible. Since this was during the 1940s, the black leather bound Bible that sat on the teacher's desk was the King James version. Usually chosen was Psalm 23 or Psalm 100 or even Psalm 1, but the reading was reverent and respectful. Following the reading everyone in the classroom recited the Lord's Prayer. No giggling, no excuses...everyone joined in praying. Then, of course, the class would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. A normal day in the life of an elementary school child during the 1940s.
Janet thought about praying the Lord's Prayer. As a young child she wasn't sure what some of it meant. "Our Father"...that was simple enough. She understood at an early age that God the Father was a God of love. And of course, since her own father, Daddy, loved her intensely, she could identify with that.
The next phrase always baffled her. The version she learned as a child was, "which art in Heaven". As a child she always wondered why that phrase wasn't more personal with a 'who' instead of the word 'which'. "Hallowed be Thy name" was understandable even though 'hallowed' was a difficult word for a young child to spell. "The kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" was a phrase she always loved because it made her think of Heaven as a glorious, happy place. "Give us this day our daily bread" made her thankful she would never be hungry. "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"...she remembered how confused that phrase meant to a young girl in the Presbyterian church. After all, what were debts and debtors? Then when her parents decided to attend the Methodist church, the wording changed to trespasses and trespass. That was even harder to say! "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" gave her protective comfort. Then, how she loved the closing phrases..."For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen".
As an adult she had sung Albert Hay Malotte's musical arrangement of The Lord's Prayer hundreds of times for weddings, funerals and special events. A vocal joy to sing those words, understand those words and communicate those loving words that Jesus spoke to teach His disciples how to pray. A special privilege to sing!
Oh how her knowledge of prayer had grown over the years. She had recently discovered the intimacy one gains with Jesus when in prayer. By opening her heart, pouring our her struggles, her uncertainties, her fears, her confessions but also her praises and worship to this wonderful magnificent, holy God was a humble experience! Long ago she had realized prayer isn't a formal collection of proper verbiage but a conversation...simple, direct and open.
Yes, and since the cancer, she fully realized how powerful prayer really is! When friends, family, acquaintances found out she had the diagnosis of brain cancer, they prayed! She now knew that God hears every prayer and always answers how He knows best. We sometimes get upset and even angry at God because he doesn't answer our prayer the way we think is best. But Janet knew with certainty that God is in control of all things, so prayer is answered in accordance with His plan. She was reminded again and again that God had chosen to save her from cancer and prolong her life because she still had work to do. How humble she felt! How glorious she felt knowing that God was using her for His purposes!
Now she prayed with vigor for friends and family to come closer to God, to surrender to Jesus and be assured of graduation into His heavenly paradise! Prayer is special, prayer enables us to talk with God and prayer gives us opportunity to listen to Him. What a blessed conversation!
As Rev. W. M. Clow wrote, "One of the gravest obstacles in the way of believing that God answers prayer is that to do so would be alter His own natural and moral laws, and hence to 'change His mind'. The answer must be along such lines as to ask, 'What is God's mind?' According to Jesus, it is fellowship with man and that forever. All else subserves that great plan, and prayer, the medium whereby man enters into communion with his God, is surely provided for in the scheme of creation. Christians do, in fact, experience answer to prayer, whether it be direct or indirect, immediate or deferred; and the final answer to prayer is summed up for us in Jesus' words: 'How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit.' Whatever we want, all that we really need is God; and prayer brings us God."
Friday, May 16, 2014
Blessings and Jobs
They were driving home from the oncologist's office. Crossing on to Highway 31, Janet started sobbing. Dick questioned in alarm, "What's wrong?"
"These are tears of joy!" she cried. "I am so overwhelmed, so awed, so humbled! Why me? Friends around me are dying of cancer. One friend last week, one friend last month and one friend last year...all from brain cancer. Why has God chosen to spare me? Why has God showered me with grace and mercy? Why, at my age, when so many die, am I still healing from the cancer damage. Why can I do more physically than I could do last year..last month..last week? I'm still healing from the nerve damage! How incredibly awesome. But why? Why has the Lord blessed me when there are so many others more worthy than me? I am undeserving of such blessing!"
"Prayer, Janet, prayer!", Dick stated calmly. "So many people prayed and the Lord answered those prayers because He has a job for you to do."
They had just heard the report. "Janet, your latest MRI shows no sign of cancer. You have survived an aggressive, rare cancer. Only 15% survive. Your healing is unexplainable! Because you are doing so well, you will only need a yearly MRI, instead of twice yearly, to check and make sure no cancer returns."
"Four years....it's been quite a journey! But I've learned so much," Janet smiled at the nurse practitioner. "It is a miracle!"
Yes, she thought back on the remarkable journey. The vision (see blog posting March 2, 2013)...before she had symptoms...before the diagnosis...and then that moment when she heard the announcement..."You have seven weeks to live!" The 16 months of chemo, the confusion, the fears, the unknowns...and yet the undeniable sense of security, peace and love. The presence of family...especially Dick...every day at her bedside through four months in the hospital plus the year of chemo. Carin and Diana making several plane trips to visit and care for her in the hospital...even Carin 'adopting' their beloved chocolate lab, Bonnie! Beth also making trips to the hospital and Glenn and Stephanie opening up their home to the family and visiting often. The meals brought in by friends and strangers. The months and months of therapy...PT and OT, to remind those nerves in her arm and leg and the brain to work again.
And it was working. Every week she took on more physical challenges, more household duties. Dick was having to do less and less. But she still wondered. What is this 'job' that God wants me to do? An opportunity to speak to a church group recently proved exciting. She spoke for 45 minutes and was amazed how well that went. She told them her story, her journey and the group was deeply moved. She was also relieved that she kept her emotions under control because she certainly didn't want to 'blubber' through her presentation.
The time must be right, she concluded. God's timing is always right. "So look for places to speak, let people know you're available to speak, and if it's to be, it will happen," she told herself. She made a careful outline just so she wouldn't forget all the important ingredients of her incredible journey through cancer with the Lord. The outline would just be a reminder because she knew she would not read it.
Yes, God has blessed both of them. Dick was diagnosed in 1990 with prostate cancer. Successful early surgery has given him 24 years of cancer free life. Even the scare last year (2013) when some medical professionals thought Dick's cancer had reappeared. Instead, when the facts emerged, it was confirmed that the cancer had not returned but the symptoms were caused by a bad side effect from a medication! What blessings! What miracles! Janet and Dick still had work to do for a loving God.
"It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."
2 Corinthians 4: 13-15
"These are tears of joy!" she cried. "I am so overwhelmed, so awed, so humbled! Why me? Friends around me are dying of cancer. One friend last week, one friend last month and one friend last year...all from brain cancer. Why has God chosen to spare me? Why has God showered me with grace and mercy? Why, at my age, when so many die, am I still healing from the cancer damage. Why can I do more physically than I could do last year..last month..last week? I'm still healing from the nerve damage! How incredibly awesome. But why? Why has the Lord blessed me when there are so many others more worthy than me? I am undeserving of such blessing!"
"Prayer, Janet, prayer!", Dick stated calmly. "So many people prayed and the Lord answered those prayers because He has a job for you to do."
They had just heard the report. "Janet, your latest MRI shows no sign of cancer. You have survived an aggressive, rare cancer. Only 15% survive. Your healing is unexplainable! Because you are doing so well, you will only need a yearly MRI, instead of twice yearly, to check and make sure no cancer returns."
"Four years....it's been quite a journey! But I've learned so much," Janet smiled at the nurse practitioner. "It is a miracle!"
Yes, she thought back on the remarkable journey. The vision (see blog posting March 2, 2013)...before she had symptoms...before the diagnosis...and then that moment when she heard the announcement..."You have seven weeks to live!" The 16 months of chemo, the confusion, the fears, the unknowns...and yet the undeniable sense of security, peace and love. The presence of family...especially Dick...every day at her bedside through four months in the hospital plus the year of chemo. Carin and Diana making several plane trips to visit and care for her in the hospital...even Carin 'adopting' their beloved chocolate lab, Bonnie! Beth also making trips to the hospital and Glenn and Stephanie opening up their home to the family and visiting often. The meals brought in by friends and strangers. The months and months of therapy...PT and OT, to remind those nerves in her arm and leg and the brain to work again.
And it was working. Every week she took on more physical challenges, more household duties. Dick was having to do less and less. But she still wondered. What is this 'job' that God wants me to do? An opportunity to speak to a church group recently proved exciting. She spoke for 45 minutes and was amazed how well that went. She told them her story, her journey and the group was deeply moved. She was also relieved that she kept her emotions under control because she certainly didn't want to 'blubber' through her presentation.
The time must be right, she concluded. God's timing is always right. "So look for places to speak, let people know you're available to speak, and if it's to be, it will happen," she told herself. She made a careful outline just so she wouldn't forget all the important ingredients of her incredible journey through cancer with the Lord. The outline would just be a reminder because she knew she would not read it.
Yes, God has blessed both of them. Dick was diagnosed in 1990 with prostate cancer. Successful early surgery has given him 24 years of cancer free life. Even the scare last year (2013) when some medical professionals thought Dick's cancer had reappeared. Instead, when the facts emerged, it was confirmed that the cancer had not returned but the symptoms were caused by a bad side effect from a medication! What blessings! What miracles! Janet and Dick still had work to do for a loving God.
"It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."
2 Corinthians 4: 13-15
Friday, May 2, 2014
Smiling Faces
Flowers...Oh, how Janet loves flowers! All kinds. In fact, her favorite flower is the one that blooms that moment in front of her! The colors, shades, textures, shapes, perfumes...all delights in the garden. Even this bleak winter she had a 'garden' right in the condo, in front of the west window...an assortment of red cacti, lavender orchid, red lily, pink/yellow/orange kalanchoe, and red poinsettia. Friends were amazed and commented on her brightly blooming winter garden.
And now that the milder spring temperatures had arrived, she was excited when Diana gave her a birthday present of pansies. What delighted her even more is that she was able to plant them herself in several containers on the condo deck and porch. True, with one hand, but she did it! Even the surprise spring 2 inch snowfall did them no harm. Hardy plants, they seem to poke their smiling faces up toward the sun in spite of below freezing temps.
She had always loved those sweet smiling pansies. Her mother told her that as a young child, Janet would walk around the neighborhood in Ridgefield Park, NJ and insist on greeting each friendly pansy plant. Yellow, blue, maroon and white...pansies never cease smiling.
How wonderful that God gives us these gifts in nature to remind us to keep a happy expression on our faces. Janet realized that her smile usually caused a smile in return. And that always made her feel better!
A few nights ago she thought about a lady she had seen at church in a wheelchair. She did not know the lady, did not know anything about her physical circumstances, but when Janet first saw her she immediately felt drawn to her. Janet knew the pain and the stigma of physical handicap, had experienced the stares, the questioning looks, the awkward turning away, the troubled expressions....but, rarely, the welcoming, accepting smile. Janet's history of a wheelchair lasted from July, 2010 to Palm Sunday, April, 1011 when she insisted in storing it away. Even though her walking was not the best, she was determined to 'work at walking' and force her body to improve. Fortunately, her healing continued and she is thankful to God for that miracle. But, having had the experience in a wheelchair she now was very conscious how that feels.
She knew she had to make a difference in the lives of the handicapped. The following Sunday, she was exiting the church, when Janet found herself next to the lady in the wheelchair. Amazed, Janet thought, "Here I am, closer to her than I've ever been....no one around to bother me. Now's my chance." She slowly walked with her cane over to the wheelchair, greeted the woman with a smile and said, "Good morning, I just want you to know I think you are beautiful!"
The lady was overwhelmed, her face lit up, and she gave a broad happy smile in return. She appeared radiant and utterly thankful.
Janet continued. "I suffered with brain cancer, but the Lord has blessed me." Squeezing her arm, Janet added, "May the Lord bless you." Another exchange of smiles, then the moment ended.
"Oh, did that make me feel good!" Janet told herself. A confirmation of smiling and reaching out to those who probably feel 'passed over'. She wanted to shout to everyone how important it is not to focus on one's handicaps but accept them, reach out to others and give others a smile of encouragement.
Now that she walked with a cane, Janet knew people probably said when they saw her, "What's the matter with her?" But Janet also discovered that by engaging people with a smile and conversation, people ignored the cane. She had also discovered that everyone has some kind of problem...physical, emotional, mental, interpersonal, financial, medical...and yet people hide these personal problems and continue living their lives. Yes, she knew, we are all imperfect! And she wanted people to love and respect her, in spite of her cane. So the least she could do is love others with all their imperfections.
Smiling costs nothing. But smiling is a gift of love to someone else.
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?'
'The most important one.' answered Jesus, 'is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'" Mark 12:28-31
And now that the milder spring temperatures had arrived, she was excited when Diana gave her a birthday present of pansies. What delighted her even more is that she was able to plant them herself in several containers on the condo deck and porch. True, with one hand, but she did it! Even the surprise spring 2 inch snowfall did them no harm. Hardy plants, they seem to poke their smiling faces up toward the sun in spite of below freezing temps.
She had always loved those sweet smiling pansies. Her mother told her that as a young child, Janet would walk around the neighborhood in Ridgefield Park, NJ and insist on greeting each friendly pansy plant. Yellow, blue, maroon and white...pansies never cease smiling.
How wonderful that God gives us these gifts in nature to remind us to keep a happy expression on our faces. Janet realized that her smile usually caused a smile in return. And that always made her feel better!
A few nights ago she thought about a lady she had seen at church in a wheelchair. She did not know the lady, did not know anything about her physical circumstances, but when Janet first saw her she immediately felt drawn to her. Janet knew the pain and the stigma of physical handicap, had experienced the stares, the questioning looks, the awkward turning away, the troubled expressions....but, rarely, the welcoming, accepting smile. Janet's history of a wheelchair lasted from July, 2010 to Palm Sunday, April, 1011 when she insisted in storing it away. Even though her walking was not the best, she was determined to 'work at walking' and force her body to improve. Fortunately, her healing continued and she is thankful to God for that miracle. But, having had the experience in a wheelchair she now was very conscious how that feels.
She knew she had to make a difference in the lives of the handicapped. The following Sunday, she was exiting the church, when Janet found herself next to the lady in the wheelchair. Amazed, Janet thought, "Here I am, closer to her than I've ever been....no one around to bother me. Now's my chance." She slowly walked with her cane over to the wheelchair, greeted the woman with a smile and said, "Good morning, I just want you to know I think you are beautiful!"
The lady was overwhelmed, her face lit up, and she gave a broad happy smile in return. She appeared radiant and utterly thankful.
Janet continued. "I suffered with brain cancer, but the Lord has blessed me." Squeezing her arm, Janet added, "May the Lord bless you." Another exchange of smiles, then the moment ended.
"Oh, did that make me feel good!" Janet told herself. A confirmation of smiling and reaching out to those who probably feel 'passed over'. She wanted to shout to everyone how important it is not to focus on one's handicaps but accept them, reach out to others and give others a smile of encouragement.
Now that she walked with a cane, Janet knew people probably said when they saw her, "What's the matter with her?" But Janet also discovered that by engaging people with a smile and conversation, people ignored the cane. She had also discovered that everyone has some kind of problem...physical, emotional, mental, interpersonal, financial, medical...and yet people hide these personal problems and continue living their lives. Yes, she knew, we are all imperfect! And she wanted people to love and respect her, in spite of her cane. So the least she could do is love others with all their imperfections.
Smiling costs nothing. But smiling is a gift of love to someone else.
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked Him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?'
'The most important one.' answered Jesus, 'is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'" Mark 12:28-31
Friday, April 18, 2014
The Promise of the Resurrection
Promises....promises....promises. She thought how that word had received a lot of attention in the national news this past year. Of course, politicians never keep their promises! A promise was always something that people respected and held dear. "Promise?" A question one made to guarantee the pledge made by another. And now, promises began to be questioned as meaningless or absurd. Hadn't they taught their children to 'promise' to tell the truth, no matter the consequences? And they had obeyed. But now...would the word 'promise' ever have the same meaning?
What about God's promises, she wondered. Does God ever break His promise? Have all God's promises come true? Should we believe in the promises of God?
Now as she thought about Easter and the incredible promise of the resurrection and eternal life, she knew she wanted God's promise to be true! She looked at the scriptures and began to investigate God's promises. Amazing! For one thing, the coming of the Messiah is promised and predicted countless times in the Old Testament. And did God's promise of a Messiah hold true? Fulfilled in the New Testament!
What about promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David? Wow! She found that all of God's promises came true. By reading the scriptures she discovered God's promises are "good, holy, exceeding great and precious, obtained through faith, given to those who believe and performed in due season". Yes, God keeps His promises!
How then did she know the promise of the resurrection was true? She searched more. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 18: 31-33, "all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
And then she read those wonderful words in Luke 24: 4-7 when the women went to the tomb, found the stone rolled away and no Jesus. "And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"
There it was. Jesus predicted and promised He would 'rise again' and He did! The resurrection was true.
All the wonderful Easters of the past swept through her memories....white lilies decorating the sanctuaries - their perfume filling the church, choirs singing the Hallelujah chorus, ladies decked out in new spring hats and gloves and purses, churches filled to standing room only, the excitement of wearing a new Easter dress, coloring Easter eggs and then hiding them for the annual Easter egg hunt, chocolate Easter bunnies (yum- especially Russell Stover!).
Yes, but is that all Easter is about? True, Easter is a celebration and she remembered all those family gatherings. She knew Easter is the most precious day in the Christian calendar because she knew with the promise of the resurrection we have eternal life. This earthly life is so temporary. When she was younger, she never thought about life being temporary. She was so absorbed in living, enjoying, tasting, experiencing, testing, moving, listening, absorbing and all the other myriad particles of life, she thought her happy, creative, fulfilled life would just continue on this earth forever. But now as friends around her were dying, as she had come close to dying herself, the realization of death was right in front of her face. Did she fear death? Why is it that the word 'death' causes people to shudder?
She now honestly could say she did not fear death. After what she had experienced in the past four years...the presence of Jesus... the love and care caressing her, assured her there was no fear in leaving this earthly life. She knew that Jesus is real...and He is alive! Hadn't God promised a heavenly home more beautiful than this earthly home? Hadn't God promised there would be nothing to worry about, that she would be cared for?
She remembered when her dad died suddenly at 67 years of age. She had gone to stay with her mom. That night she woke from a deep sleep and saw her dad standing by the bedroom door. "Daddy!" she had exclaimed, so overjoyed to see him. As she reached out to hug him, he said, "Don't touch me. I just want you to know everything is beautiful." And then he was gone. She never forgot that special moment, that assurance, that comfort.
Yes, she thought excitedly. Death should not be something we fear, but something we anticipate because Jesus promised us eternal life. We die to this earthly life, but the resurrected eternal life promises to be better. Knowing Him, worshipping Him, believing Him, surrendering to Him gives us unspeakable promises of joy.
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21: 3-4.
Easter Sunday, the day of celebrating resurrection, she wanted to raise her hands and shout with laughing eyes and sparkling smile, HE IS RISEN! YES, RISEN INDEED! Yes, God's promise kept.
What about God's promises, she wondered. Does God ever break His promise? Have all God's promises come true? Should we believe in the promises of God?
Now as she thought about Easter and the incredible promise of the resurrection and eternal life, she knew she wanted God's promise to be true! She looked at the scriptures and began to investigate God's promises. Amazing! For one thing, the coming of the Messiah is promised and predicted countless times in the Old Testament. And did God's promise of a Messiah hold true? Fulfilled in the New Testament!
What about promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David? Wow! She found that all of God's promises came true. By reading the scriptures she discovered God's promises are "good, holy, exceeding great and precious, obtained through faith, given to those who believe and performed in due season". Yes, God keeps His promises!
How then did she know the promise of the resurrection was true? She searched more. Jesus told His disciples in Luke 18: 31-33, "all things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
And then she read those wonderful words in Luke 24: 4-7 when the women went to the tomb, found the stone rolled away and no Jesus. "And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"
There it was. Jesus predicted and promised He would 'rise again' and He did! The resurrection was true.
All the wonderful Easters of the past swept through her memories....white lilies decorating the sanctuaries - their perfume filling the church, choirs singing the Hallelujah chorus, ladies decked out in new spring hats and gloves and purses, churches filled to standing room only, the excitement of wearing a new Easter dress, coloring Easter eggs and then hiding them for the annual Easter egg hunt, chocolate Easter bunnies (yum- especially Russell Stover!).
Yes, but is that all Easter is about? True, Easter is a celebration and she remembered all those family gatherings. She knew Easter is the most precious day in the Christian calendar because she knew with the promise of the resurrection we have eternal life. This earthly life is so temporary. When she was younger, she never thought about life being temporary. She was so absorbed in living, enjoying, tasting, experiencing, testing, moving, listening, absorbing and all the other myriad particles of life, she thought her happy, creative, fulfilled life would just continue on this earth forever. But now as friends around her were dying, as she had come close to dying herself, the realization of death was right in front of her face. Did she fear death? Why is it that the word 'death' causes people to shudder?
She now honestly could say she did not fear death. After what she had experienced in the past four years...the presence of Jesus... the love and care caressing her, assured her there was no fear in leaving this earthly life. She knew that Jesus is real...and He is alive! Hadn't God promised a heavenly home more beautiful than this earthly home? Hadn't God promised there would be nothing to worry about, that she would be cared for?
She remembered when her dad died suddenly at 67 years of age. She had gone to stay with her mom. That night she woke from a deep sleep and saw her dad standing by the bedroom door. "Daddy!" she had exclaimed, so overjoyed to see him. As she reached out to hug him, he said, "Don't touch me. I just want you to know everything is beautiful." And then he was gone. She never forgot that special moment, that assurance, that comfort.
Yes, she thought excitedly. Death should not be something we fear, but something we anticipate because Jesus promised us eternal life. We die to this earthly life, but the resurrected eternal life promises to be better. Knowing Him, worshipping Him, believing Him, surrendering to Him gives us unspeakable promises of joy.
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21: 3-4.
Easter Sunday, the day of celebrating resurrection, she wanted to raise her hands and shout with laughing eyes and sparkling smile, HE IS RISEN! YES, RISEN INDEED! Yes, God's promise kept.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Shout praises to the Lord!
In just a few days she would turn 78! She could hardly believe it. Seventy-eight years is a long time....so many memories....so many events....so many friends...so many people. Fortunately, the brain cancer had not damaged her mind. Her mind was vital and sharp. And the ability to recall details of past memories gave her cause for celebration. She continued to be amazed at how her brain was healing.
Yes, as she thought over the past four years, the journey was remarkable. In April of 2010 she had enjoyed a physically active life as a member of Striders, the Holland, MI walking club. The numerous two and three mile walks throughout the city of Holland were easy and enjoyable jaunts. Certainly no indication that she was headed for a deadly cancer!
Then following the return to their lake house in Ontario the end of that April, the excitement of catching up with friends kept her busy. The middle of May she even hosted a dinner party decorating the table with fresh cut tulips from the garden. Shortly after that, physical problems began to surface. She was feeling extra tired, had bouts of depression and wondered what was wrong. Then one day the beginning of June, while planting marigolds in the garden, she fell over and could not manage to stand. Dick ran to her assistance, but she refused to stop gardening until the marigolds were planted! A few days later she could not get out of the tub after her nightly bath. She knew something was wrong....but what???
And of course, that absolutely wonderful vision of Jesus the night of May 26, 2010 when He told her "You will be healed BUT in My time frame", caused more bafflement and questioning. What was going on?
Questions began to be answered on July 8, 2010 when the oncologist gave her shattering news. "You have a lethal, aggressive cancer in your brain (left thalamus) and you have seven weeks to live." Yes, that was four years ago, and here she is alive and well and healing! Wow! She now wanted to shout praises to God every day!
As she truly assessed her physical condition, she realized there has been a slow, steady progress to regain her pre-cancer physical status. Back in July, 2010, especially following the brain biopsy (which was required to ascertain correct diagnosis), she could barely speak, could not move her right arm or leg, could not blink her right eye, could not even move her tongue to the right side of her mouth and suffered hearing distortions in her right ear. Yes, total right side complications!
The healing started within days. The first miracle was the ability to blink her eye. She laughed as she remembered the surprised joy of the ophthalmologist when he came into her room prepared to schedule surgery for eye repair and saw firsthand, that she could blink! He had literally danced and exclaimed, "This is a miracle!" That announcement gave her encouragement and further assurance that the message from Jesus was coming true. The next miracle was the announcement by the oncologist in August, 2010 that the MRI was "Glorious"! There was no more sign of cancer...and to date, April of 2014, the MRIs continue to be clear.
Her body keeps healing, keeps improving and now in April of 2014, she is overjoyed at the latest development. The physiatrist and her physical therapist gave her good news. She was now taught new exercises to "improve her gait"! She had now moved to a level of refining her walking ability. By utilizing a simple technique known as 'rolling', the muscles in her leg were relaxing and strengthening. Dick now used a simple, kitchen tool, a rolling pin (!), to rub up and down the muscles of her right leg (except the hamstrings, where only an upward motion is used due to ankle edema). At first her muscles were so tender the rolling pin could barely touch the skin. But as the weeks have gone by, she has been able to endure increasing pressure and.. voila! the leg has been able to function better. She can even use a 'massage roller ball' on her arm which has given astounding results.
Her speech has improved greatly. She discovered she could even sing a little (but not publicly). The speaking voice is stronger with less and less impediment. Amazing!
She is sleeping better, she can roll over in bed with little difficulty, she is using her arm more and more in daily functions. She is healing! What was that Jesus had told her on May 26, 2010???
"You will be healed BUT in My own time frame." For months and months she had struggled with that message...questioning what did it mean? Was the healing limited to the cancer? Or did the Lord also promise healing in her arm and leg?
At this point she could not predict how complete that physical healing would be eventually. All she knew was that healing had never stopped and she had never regressed. What blessings! What miracles! She praised Him daily and wherever she went she would open up conversations to tell others of what God had done. What a story of grace! What a story of God's love! What a story of God's power! Yes, God is good!
The Psalms are filled with praise songs and here is one that fills her heart......
"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord." Psalm 150
Yes, as she thought over the past four years, the journey was remarkable. In April of 2010 she had enjoyed a physically active life as a member of Striders, the Holland, MI walking club. The numerous two and three mile walks throughout the city of Holland were easy and enjoyable jaunts. Certainly no indication that she was headed for a deadly cancer!
Then following the return to their lake house in Ontario the end of that April, the excitement of catching up with friends kept her busy. The middle of May she even hosted a dinner party decorating the table with fresh cut tulips from the garden. Shortly after that, physical problems began to surface. She was feeling extra tired, had bouts of depression and wondered what was wrong. Then one day the beginning of June, while planting marigolds in the garden, she fell over and could not manage to stand. Dick ran to her assistance, but she refused to stop gardening until the marigolds were planted! A few days later she could not get out of the tub after her nightly bath. She knew something was wrong....but what???
And of course, that absolutely wonderful vision of Jesus the night of May 26, 2010 when He told her "You will be healed BUT in My time frame", caused more bafflement and questioning. What was going on?
Questions began to be answered on July 8, 2010 when the oncologist gave her shattering news. "You have a lethal, aggressive cancer in your brain (left thalamus) and you have seven weeks to live." Yes, that was four years ago, and here she is alive and well and healing! Wow! She now wanted to shout praises to God every day!
As she truly assessed her physical condition, she realized there has been a slow, steady progress to regain her pre-cancer physical status. Back in July, 2010, especially following the brain biopsy (which was required to ascertain correct diagnosis), she could barely speak, could not move her right arm or leg, could not blink her right eye, could not even move her tongue to the right side of her mouth and suffered hearing distortions in her right ear. Yes, total right side complications!
The healing started within days. The first miracle was the ability to blink her eye. She laughed as she remembered the surprised joy of the ophthalmologist when he came into her room prepared to schedule surgery for eye repair and saw firsthand, that she could blink! He had literally danced and exclaimed, "This is a miracle!" That announcement gave her encouragement and further assurance that the message from Jesus was coming true. The next miracle was the announcement by the oncologist in August, 2010 that the MRI was "Glorious"! There was no more sign of cancer...and to date, April of 2014, the MRIs continue to be clear.
Her body keeps healing, keeps improving and now in April of 2014, she is overjoyed at the latest development. The physiatrist and her physical therapist gave her good news. She was now taught new exercises to "improve her gait"! She had now moved to a level of refining her walking ability. By utilizing a simple technique known as 'rolling', the muscles in her leg were relaxing and strengthening. Dick now used a simple, kitchen tool, a rolling pin (!), to rub up and down the muscles of her right leg (except the hamstrings, where only an upward motion is used due to ankle edema). At first her muscles were so tender the rolling pin could barely touch the skin. But as the weeks have gone by, she has been able to endure increasing pressure and.. voila! the leg has been able to function better. She can even use a 'massage roller ball' on her arm which has given astounding results.
Her speech has improved greatly. She discovered she could even sing a little (but not publicly). The speaking voice is stronger with less and less impediment. Amazing!
She is sleeping better, she can roll over in bed with little difficulty, she is using her arm more and more in daily functions. She is healing! What was that Jesus had told her on May 26, 2010???
"You will be healed BUT in My own time frame." For months and months she had struggled with that message...questioning what did it mean? Was the healing limited to the cancer? Or did the Lord also promise healing in her arm and leg?
At this point she could not predict how complete that physical healing would be eventually. All she knew was that healing had never stopped and she had never regressed. What blessings! What miracles! She praised Him daily and wherever she went she would open up conversations to tell others of what God had done. What a story of grace! What a story of God's love! What a story of God's power! Yes, God is good!
The Psalms are filled with praise songs and here is one that fills her heart......
"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord." Psalm 150
Friday, March 7, 2014
Winter of our Discontent
Janet had never experienced such a long, harsh winter. She had always loved snow...the purity, the quiet, the thrill of identifying animal tracks, the snow-laden trees, the magic of falling snowflakes, the nippy cold that reddened her cheeks, the unblemished fields and frozen lakes. BUT, this year she had to admit the winter was brutal! Many weeks of never ending blowing snow, dull darkened days, bitter frigid temperatures, driving hazards, poor visibility especially at intersections with mountains of snow. Oh, yes, she had enough of gloomy days!
The weather bothered her deeply, even causing her right leg to radiate with uncomfortable aches. She realized her progress in therapy was not advancing as quickly as she would like. It seemed like the barometer regularly fell every few days as each storm moved through west Michigan. And the falling barometer effected her physically and emotionally. So many storms! She now heard the snowfall for the winter measured over 12 feet! How many days she and Dick sat in the condo just reading books, napping and trying to avoid looking at the ceaseless snowfalls. A time of discontent.
But it was now March and surely spring sunshine was coming. The weather forecast, however, unfortunately, promised more cold and possible snow flurries. Yes, a trying time and more discontent. So what does one do when life is bleak, when circumstances do not shower happiness and rose petals?
Fortunately, she consistently sought the presence of the Lord. She knew that Jesus was always there to give her comfort and contentment. Both she and Dick participated in several Bible studies. That helped her to focus on spiritual things but some days, she had to admit, it was a challenge!
She found a book this month that helped her. "When Your World Falls Apart" by David Jeremiah tells the story of the author's experience with cancer, and includes many other painful human scenarios. Reading the book made her realize everyone has an experience that turns their life upside down. And flowing through the book are the wonderful lessons we can learn from the Psalms when going through those dark times...those winters of discontent.
She found Psalm 63 especially meaningful.
"O God, You are my God, early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice." Psalm 63:1-7
It made her realize that in the darkest moment of any tragedy, she could find peace by focusing on the Lord and all He has done. Verses 6 and 7 have been especially helpful...."When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches". How many times over the past 3 1/2 years had she lain awake in the middle of the night worrying about her physical condition of weakened right arm and leg. And at night the 'enemy' played with her mind with discouraging, fearful thoughts. But each time she consciously focused on the Lord... she felt the presence of Jesus, His arms wrapped around her and sweet sleep would enfold her. And verse 7, "Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice". Such security, such protection, such caring.....she pictured nestling into His love and the worries would fade.
Yes, cancer evokes terror, fear and heartache so that one's world does fall apart. The incidence of cancer is spreading in increasing numbers so that almost every family today has some member afflicted. Moments of intense discontent. But how wonderful that, Psalm 63 says in verse one, "You are my God, early will I seek You."
Janet remembered the oncology floor at Upstate Hospital in Syracuse where she remained a patient for four months battling cancer from middle of June through October of 2010. In a neighboring room was a female cancer patient. As Janet struggled to move her legs and walk with the physical therapist, she briefly passed that room and saw the patient. Janet never forgot the terror that radiated from that woman's eyes. That woman was obviously near death because the following day her room was vacant. All Janet could think of was that the woman was terrified by the thought of death. The oncology nurses told Janet that the dying patients who had a strong Christian faith died with peace on their faces but those that did not believe in Christ died in absolute agony and fear.
What a lesson! Janet rejoiced that she knew a Savior who, upon her death, will welcome her into His presence with loving arms. That will be contentment! She knew everyone makes a choice and she hoped and prayed for those she knew and loved that each one would choose Jesus and not die with terror in their eyes.
Looking at the calendar announcing spring in two weeks, she now concluded that with Jesus in her heart, a winter of discontent will disappear, and she will be filled with the Son-shine of contentment and peace!
The weather bothered her deeply, even causing her right leg to radiate with uncomfortable aches. She realized her progress in therapy was not advancing as quickly as she would like. It seemed like the barometer regularly fell every few days as each storm moved through west Michigan. And the falling barometer effected her physically and emotionally. So many storms! She now heard the snowfall for the winter measured over 12 feet! How many days she and Dick sat in the condo just reading books, napping and trying to avoid looking at the ceaseless snowfalls. A time of discontent.
But it was now March and surely spring sunshine was coming. The weather forecast, however, unfortunately, promised more cold and possible snow flurries. Yes, a trying time and more discontent. So what does one do when life is bleak, when circumstances do not shower happiness and rose petals?
Fortunately, she consistently sought the presence of the Lord. She knew that Jesus was always there to give her comfort and contentment. Both she and Dick participated in several Bible studies. That helped her to focus on spiritual things but some days, she had to admit, it was a challenge!
She found a book this month that helped her. "When Your World Falls Apart" by David Jeremiah tells the story of the author's experience with cancer, and includes many other painful human scenarios. Reading the book made her realize everyone has an experience that turns their life upside down. And flowing through the book are the wonderful lessons we can learn from the Psalms when going through those dark times...those winters of discontent.
She found Psalm 63 especially meaningful.
"O God, You are my God, early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice." Psalm 63:1-7
It made her realize that in the darkest moment of any tragedy, she could find peace by focusing on the Lord and all He has done. Verses 6 and 7 have been especially helpful...."When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches". How many times over the past 3 1/2 years had she lain awake in the middle of the night worrying about her physical condition of weakened right arm and leg. And at night the 'enemy' played with her mind with discouraging, fearful thoughts. But each time she consciously focused on the Lord... she felt the presence of Jesus, His arms wrapped around her and sweet sleep would enfold her. And verse 7, "Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice". Such security, such protection, such caring.....she pictured nestling into His love and the worries would fade.
Yes, cancer evokes terror, fear and heartache so that one's world does fall apart. The incidence of cancer is spreading in increasing numbers so that almost every family today has some member afflicted. Moments of intense discontent. But how wonderful that, Psalm 63 says in verse one, "You are my God, early will I seek You."
Janet remembered the oncology floor at Upstate Hospital in Syracuse where she remained a patient for four months battling cancer from middle of June through October of 2010. In a neighboring room was a female cancer patient. As Janet struggled to move her legs and walk with the physical therapist, she briefly passed that room and saw the patient. Janet never forgot the terror that radiated from that woman's eyes. That woman was obviously near death because the following day her room was vacant. All Janet could think of was that the woman was terrified by the thought of death. The oncology nurses told Janet that the dying patients who had a strong Christian faith died with peace on their faces but those that did not believe in Christ died in absolute agony and fear.
What a lesson! Janet rejoiced that she knew a Savior who, upon her death, will welcome her into His presence with loving arms. That will be contentment! She knew everyone makes a choice and she hoped and prayed for those she knew and loved that each one would choose Jesus and not die with terror in their eyes.
Looking at the calendar announcing spring in two weeks, she now concluded that with Jesus in her heart, a winter of discontent will disappear, and she will be filled with the Son-shine of contentment and peace!
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