miracles

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Steve

Dana’s wife Susan has been sorting through his computer, and found a writing from his first days in the hospital. It appears to have been intended as another Journey post, so she forwarded it to be added to Dana’s blog.

The writing ends as if in mid-thought, before he had a chance to finish and attach Bible verses to it.  But as usual, it’s filled with Dana’s heart and wisdom.  I pray that it will lift us up.

Here’s Dana’s final Journey, written November 2 or 3.

I heard and watched a song on YouTube my first day in the hospital called ‘Miracles.’   It begins:

The One who made the blind to see
Is moving here in front of me
The One who made the deaf to hear
Is silencing my every fear
I believe in You
You’re the God of miracles
The One who put death in its place
His life is flowing through my veins

At the live worship service in the video, a  pastor stood and shared that the husband-and-wife authors of the song went to their church, and had written the lyrics the day after their baby died. The leader, who has witnessed many miracles,  told his church that the parents wrote the song to honor the One who is constantly loving, but who chose not to heal their baby. The song is all about the goodness of God.

Tuesday, the night before I went to the hospital, my old friend Mark and a woman named Miranda, who had recently been healed of cancer, came to our house. We joined hands, and the three of them prayed for my immediate healing.

I loved it. Everything reminded me of God… my wife, an old friend, and a new friend were praying for a fellow brother in the Body of Christ, just as so many of you have prayed earnestly through the last days… and weeks… and years.

Our nurse friend Maria called Wednesday morning and told us my room was ready. I asked her, “Maria, can you do a Complete Blood Count first? Many, many are praying for us, and some friends prayed in our home last night for instant healing.

She replied, “Of course, Dana. That’s what we always do first.”

When I arrived, Maria told me she had told others my message. She claimed that I had ‘The Best Friend Ever,’ (Jesus) and that no one should be surprised if there is a miracle.

Soon though,  I texted Mark and told him my platelet counts were still very low, and that they were preparing me for surgery to start the whole transplant process. After surgery, I read his reply that they were still lifting me up in prayer, but I am sure he was disappointed.

Mark has witnessed many healings, including Miranda’s, who confused the doctors when she reported for a surgery she did not need. She told them Jesus had healed her. After much pushing and prodding and several CT Scans they sent her home.

Mark and the others were simply being obedient. A missionary friend from Africa had called him Tuesday to see if he would pray for me before I went to the hospital Wednesday. Mark called Miranda and they came to our house as servants of God, and prayed with faith, hope, and love.

I have learned to be content with the Lord’s answers. The truth is: He is more than enough. But how does a parent write a praise song to our miracle-working God when their baby dies? Their church leader recognized the faith of these parents, who honored ‘Our Best Friend Ever’  by writing a beautiful song in their grief.

This is the God we serve, and so we give Him our best. Give Him the best honor you can, the richest praise you can, the deepest trust you can. This attitude should consume our thinking and our lives.

At work, work as unto the Lord, and not just for man. In community, be the best neighbor you can. Do not annoy others with your faith, but let your light shine that they may see your good works and glorify the One they might not even know.

Our stories of God’s goodness should be known somehow… for they show that God is love. So if I dance, I dance with all my energy… for Him. If I play, I play with enthusiasm and joy… for Him. If I live, I will live to honor Christ. If I die, I pray He will be honored too.

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complete

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Steve

Early this morning, Dana’s earthly body finished its journey.  Dana’s head is now resting on his Master’s breast.  We, whom he has left behind for the moment, will miss him.

Dana’s life lived out the Prayer of Saint Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Feel free to return to the Journey blog now and then to browse through Dana’s two decades of writing.  His words continue to inspire us.

Rest in peace, Dana Davis.

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Conqueror

Posted on November 3, 2022 by Dana

‘Even if everything around you is falling apart; even if you’ve been given the worst prognosis; even if there seems to be no hope… do not fear; do not be anxious; lift up your eyes to Me.’ How can God expect us to follow such instructions?

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Jesus is with us! He lives in us! “Christ in you – the hope of glory,” Paul wrote. Jesus urges: ‘Live in this truth! Be bold; do not be afraid! I am the Conqueror! If I am with you, why should you fear? Don’t you know I am above all? Even in death, do not fear… because I am with you.’

I cannot overcome without His presence; fear is a constant enemy. But Jesus says, ‘Don’t give in to it.’ He has given us what we need. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (II Timothy 1:7)

God works in unpredictable and mysterious ways as He helps us overcome. The disciples were fearful as Jesus told them He was going away. He gave this promise: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

I want to thank Steve Wolf for all his help with The Journey over the years. I sent this writing to him on Tuesday, checked into the hospital on Wednesday, and should have already started chemo by the time you receive this email. I hope to write again in a few weeks. The doctors say I’ll be in the hospital at least a month. Thanks for all your prayers and love. Paul wrote the words below to help us run the races we’ve been given. I pray He blesses you and your families richly in every way!

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For Your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:26-39

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preparation

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Dana

The apostles wrote to the early Christians about the return of Jesus, passing on ‘preparation’ teachings their Teacher had given them. Knowing His time on earth was short, Jesus predicted two huge future events during His passion week. First, the Temple would be destroyed. Around forty years later, in 70 A.D., the Romans surrounded Jerusalem and destroyed the Holy Place on Mt. Moriah. The other prophesy, that of His return, has not yet taken place. Though there is much controversy over various details, all must admit we are now closer to the Second Coming than ever before..

Three parables found in Matthew 25 reveal ‘preparation’ mindsets Jesus wants us to possess. He does not want His children to simply take a survivalist mentality or go sit and wait on a mountain top. Nor does He want us to be oblivious to what is happening in the world and miss the signs He described as ‘birth pains.’ I asked our daughter, Kinsey (the midwife), about ‘birth pains.’ “Birth pains come at the end of pregnancy. As time passes, the contractions become more frequent and more intense,” she answered. “Then, when the mother thinks she just can’t make it any longer, the baby comes.”

The parable of the 10 virgins contrasts the difference between being wise and being foolish in the last days. The five foolish virgins were unprepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. They took an emergency outing to buy some oil for their lamps, but didn’t make it back in time. All five were shut out and could not enter the Wedding Banquet. The five wise virgins had already brought extra oil for their lamps; when the Bridegroom came, they were prepared and welcomed in with open arms.

In the Bible, oil usually represents the Spirit, so the message seems clear: Be filled with the Spirit. Have your eyes on Jesus. Be spiritually prepared. God has given us His Holy Spirit, but am I listening to Him? Is God my passion, or do lesser matters consume my mind and energy? How do I spend my time? The Spirit points us to Jesus and helps us know Him better. The Spirit reminds us of the necessity of obeying our Lord. If we don’t understand, we can ask Him for help. The Spirit is our Helper. God is for us! So Jesus warns: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)

The second parable is about using our talents. The question is not as much: how many talents do I have? But rather: what am I doing with what I’ve been given? While Jesus stressed being spiritually prepared as we watch and pray, He did not teach idleness. While we watch, we are about His work. We pray to know God’s will. How do I bless my spouse, my kids, and my friends? How do I serve my neighbor? What type of employee am I? Do I use my abilities and gifts to bring glory to God? Burying my talent brings disaster! Using my gifts and blessings with boldness and wisdom pleases the Lord. “Blessed is that servant whom the Master finds doing his job when He comes.” (Matthew 24:46)

Finally, our Good Shepherd tells a story of Judgment. When you hear people saying: ‘all are going to heaven’ or ‘there is no hell’ or ‘a God of love would never punish’… tell them you prefer to listen to Jesus. He talked a lot about heaven and hell and judgment. This last story in Matthew 25 says there will be a separation. The sheep enter the Kingdom; the goats do not. “How did you treat Me?” was the measuring stick of the Judge. The prepared soul sees one in pain and responds… the hungry, the poor, the heartbroken, the sick, the imprisoned… When we serve the hurting, we serve our Savior. He is everywhere.

Watch. Pray. Obey. Be wise. Be full of the Spirit. Be fruitful. Serve. Love. These are some of Jesus’ instructions on preparation.

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17

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bon voyage

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Dana

(This writing fits chronologically between persevere and chosen)

I had to accomplish three things before Susan and I could get on the plane for Barcelona on Tuesday, July 5. First, Susan had to give me a shot to raise my white blood cells. As always, she gave it in the stomach. I then had to get a COVID test which Spain required. Thankfully, I passed. Finally, we drove to Emory where Susan dropped me off to receive two units of platelets. Our dear friend Mark planned to pick Susan and our bags up at the house about four hours later, and then they would pick me up on the way to the airport.

Before my infusion, I noticed the tiny entry point of the needle in my stomach was bleeding. I knew my platelets were low as was confirmed at the hospital; then a chief nurse confirmed what I thought, “You’ll stop bleeding as soon as you get platelets in your body.” But even after we arrived at the airport, my stomach was still bleeding. I had never had this happen with a little shot.

It is true: over the last 21 years, God has been so kind to me whenever I leave the country. I was really not too worried. I figured everything would clear up as we left the ground, or as we left US territory, or at least when we landed in Spain. I was wrong; I bled the entire ten hour flight. As we met Dave and Cindy in the Barcelona Airport, I said to our missionary friends, “Guys, I think we’ll just need to meet you at the camp. I’ve got to solve a bleeding problem.” A helpful airport worker told us the nearest hospital; we gave our one suitcase to Cindy, and we caught a taxi to the ER.

We both had peace, though we had no clue what we were doing. Susan found a way to check me in at the ER, which felt a lot like Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Young doctors-in-training examined me and asked what happened. I told them that my wife had given me a shot and one exclaimed, “Your wife shot you?!” With a bit of charades to overcome the language barrier, we finally got on the same page. They took blood to measure my counts, then the lead person sprinkled some silver nitrate on the wound. Within seconds the bleeding stopped and we celebrated. It took a couple of more hours to find out my blood counts were good and finally another doctor examined me and said I was released.

Now the challenge was finding the camp. Susan and I had done it back in 2018, but I do not trust myself… I am terrible with directions. We took a taxi to the train station and bought tickets to Girona, which was the closest large town to the camp. We followed the kind worker’s directions to the correct platform to catch the train. We were standing with about 200 travelers on one side of the platform when an announcement was made. All of a sudden the crowd started rushing to the other side of the platform. I tried asking several people what was going on, but “No hablo Inglés…” was all I understood. We joined the crowd, got on the arriving train, and found a seat.

“Ay yai yai!” I’ve been lost on a train in Europe before. I always thought the camp was two hours south of Barcelona. After ten minutes, I was convinced we were going north. “Susan, I think we’re going north! We’re going to end up traveling over the Pyrenees Mountains into France!” She said, “Girona is on the way to France. We are supposed to go north.” “What?” I thought, then got up and found someone with a kind face. “Habla Inglés?” “Sí,” she answered. I asked if our train was going to stop in Girona and she said it was. Relief beyond relief! I had been wrong about directions again! I would much rather be bleeding in an emergency room than be traveling the wrong way on a train headed for another country!

In Girona, we met up with Dave, Cindy, and a dozen other Americans they had picked up at the airport. We rode their bus thirty minutes to the camp. Hallelujah! We were in Spain; my bleeding had stopped; we reunited with friends from the past and met others. After a 9:30 dinner, we were ready for bed. As we settled into our cabin for the night, my nose started bleeding. “Ay, yai, yai!”

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

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