Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • peace

    —

    Dana

    Jesus knew what would face all who denied self and followed him. He, of all people, knew an enemy would oppose righteousness and friendship with God. “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

    So in this journey full of danger and difficulty, what does Jesus think we need? Some are in storms right now that have no end in sight. You know Jesus has all power to change any situation, but he seems to be sleeping in the boat. You pray, you cry, you look to the heavens for help, but pain, grief, and confusion crash against you. At the end of his life, Jesus knew the disciples were about to experience the worst of times. There was nothing they could do to avoid what was destined to happen. Jesus knew joy would eventually come, but for a while they would be overwhelmed by sorrow. So what did the Savior promise? What does He offer us as we enter periods of darkness? “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

    Jesus was about to go through his darkest hour. Shortly after encouraging his friends, the Son would sweat blood as he asked his Father for another way. But a perfect Father denied the request. Has anyone faced a trial with more courage and poise than our Savior? Has anyone faced the devil and trampled injustice like the One from Nazareth? The peace Jesus possessed as He went through Hell, he offers us. We are not exempt from sorrow or pain, but we have something the world cannot understand. His peace does not remove the danger, but it gives us courage to face it. The Warrior who defeated Satan prays for us: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

    “For he himself is our peace…” This truth sets believers apart. I wish I could avoid the storm altogether, but who can? Jesus says, “Follow Me” and he went through storms. I can, however, let his peace rule my heart. I can talk to him. I can believe him. I can trust.

    “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

  • danger

    —

    Dana

    When the King of Kings comes into your life things aren’t always easy. It wasn’t for Mary. Besides the normal struggles of pregnancy, she had to put up with gossip, accusation, and quite a bit of uncertainty. Joseph, a good man, became her advocate and protector. It is good to have an advocate, but no man could control the timing of the birth that would change history. I don’t think my wife, Susan, ever rode a donkey while pregnant, but she often told me how hard it was to get in and out of a car. We’ve visited the place many think Jesus was born. It is a far cry from Northside Hospital, but we still sing of the joy that came to the world as a baby was born in a stable.

    The angels sang, “Peace on earth,” but when Christ came into the world, a dragon raised his ugly head. Thankfully God is in control and He is far more powerful than any man or devil. “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up’, he said, ‘take the child and his mother to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’”

    I don’t know that things are too much different today. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, but the Lamb is also a Lion. When He is given free reign in a heart, He expels those things that don’t belong. Sometimes He turns our world upside down. “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written’, he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.’” Of course, any temporary discomfort is well worth it as our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. “Have your way, Lord” is the prayer of all who love Him for we are chosen to be holy and blameless in His sight.

    The surprise may come as we let Jesus shine out of our lives to the world around us. Surely Mary must have wondered why her baby was the target of evil plans. Thirty-three years later she witnessed the murder of her son. “Why, God? If He is the hope of the world, why is He hated? If He is the only sinless man ever to live, why do so many want to kill Him? If He can bring peace, why do the nations rage?”

    We know there is a war because there is an enemy. Jesus is the hope for all today, but He is still hated. As the day of His return grows nearer, the enemy works harder and harder to quench all that points to the Savior. Ask my son the fisherman and he’ll tell you the battle is most intense closest to the boat… right at the end of the fight. So don’t be surprised if you sense the activity of the evil one. If you are vocal about the gospel, he’ll want you quiet. If you know your purpose in life, he’ll want to distract or confuse you. If you are sold out for Christ, he’ll tempt you to compromise. Jesus warned of life’s worries, riches, and pleasures that choke those who start to follow Him. Doubt, discouragement, and fear are other weapons in the devil’s arsenal. Who is unaware of Satan’s aggressive quest for the hearts and minds of young people today? He whispers, “There is no truth. There is no right and wrong. Just do as you please.” Paul’s words are for us all: “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

    In other lands, the enemy is not as subtle. Many have lost their freedom and some have lost their lives for sharing Christ with those around them. I just received a newsletter from a friend who serves the persecuted church in the Middle East. He shared the story of Mohan, a Pakistani brick maker, who refused to quit distributing Christian literature to his Muslim neighbors. One day he was attacked by two men and viciously beaten. His life was saved as people heard his cry for help, but his left arm had to be amputated just below the shoulder. He was asked how this attack affected him. Mohan’s answer inspires disciples and infuriates the one who hates Jesus and all who love Him. “I have lost one arm, but even if a situation was created to cut off my other body parts I am ready for that. I will carry on with my work even if I will be killed. To build the Lord’s kingdom is the mission of my life.”

    “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17

  • wonder

    —

    Dana

    I think in some ways God wants us all to have the same wonder that Mary had as she received good news. Why, of all people, would an angel appear to this Jewish girl in Nazareth? “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” The next revelation was even greater: “The Savior will be in you!” No wonder Gabriel declared: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

    Mary was praised for believing what the Lord told her would be accomplished. Do I believe what the Lord tells me is being accomplished? “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Why me? Why you? “How can it be Lord? How can I walk in holiness in this world? How can I be blameless in this generation?” Jesus promised he would not just be with us, but he would be in us. He is our hope. May we respond with faith as Mary did: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be done to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:26-45)

    “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to 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. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:15-20

  • genius

    —

    Dana

    There is a multiple myeloma patient I’ve heard about that can predict his blood counts before any test is done. Coaches are known for picking the brains of other coaches to try to get a little edge. In similar fashion, I’ve always wanted to meet this man to try to discover how he is so accurate in all his predictions. One of the nurses calls this patient a genius. Last week I found that my protein count is not dropping as quickly as it did last year. During the past month, the number only dropped from 1.9 to 1.5. As I looked over this report and prepared to receive chemo, a nurse came to me and said, “He’s here!” I asked, “Who?” She answered, “The genius! I’m going to bring him to you!”

    Tom didn’t really look like a genius. He was wearing a cap that said “World’s Greatest Dad” and he seemed to move rather slowly. He stuck out his hand and introduced himself then sat on a stool next to my chair. “The nurse said you wanted to meet me,” he said. “Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you. Some say you’re a genius. The nurses say you have an uncanny way of predicting your blood counts. How do you do it?” Tom humbly shrugged his shoulders and said he was not a genius. He said he was simply doing his best to stay in the battle. Tom is seventy-seven years old. Within the month he has arrived home from Little Rock, Arkansas where he had just endured a second stem cell transplant. His first was in 2003, so I realized Tom has not had an easy three years. Though he looked remarkably strong just one month out from transplant, he shared that he almost didn’t make it this time. He was in the hospital six weeks and many complications came against him. But as he shared the doctors’ conclusions of the staggering odds against his survival, a twinkle came to Tom’s eye and he made a comment that proved to me he’s a genius: “You know, son, God is not bound by our human statistics.” I think this was another way to say what Jesus often taught: “With God, all things are possible.”

    I pray you have a great Thanksgiving. Love your family, encourage the downtrodden, help the needy. Take time to truly thank God for all He has done for us.

    “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

  • indestructible

    —

    Dana

    I’ve just started my fourth round of chemo this fall. I should get a ‘cancer level’ report by next week, so I’ll try to let you know the results. The bad number started at 3.3 and had dropped to 1.9 last month. It seems to be dropping a little slower than last year, and the cumulative affect of chemo is hitting me this week.

    A few times since I’ve been diagnosed with cancer, someone has said, “You are indestructible until the time God has ordained you to leave this earth.” I understand this statement, but I sure don’t feel too indestructible these days. If I were a soldier in the war zone, I think I would want this belief to give me great courage. They say Confederate general Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a man of faith who exhibited amazing calm in battle because he believed his life was completely in the hands of his Maker. Unfortunately, he was mortally wounded by “friendly fire” at Chancellorsville in 1863. I’m not sure how such a wound impacted Jackson’s faith.

    In the case of cancer, we seem to fight off the enemy, keep it at bay a while, live a full life, then prepare to fight again. God gets the credit for each day I live. I thank him for new weapons to use against this disease and for doctors and nurses who sincerely care for their patients. I am thankful for all the people who pray for me. I know God has the power to speak this cancer into nonexistence, but at this point I’ve just got to deal with it. I don’t mind saying I often feel destructible.

    Now lest you think I’m writing a rather faithless, depressing message, remember that feelings and faith are not the same. People might argue that the way “Stonewall” Jackson died proved his faith was absurd. But who’s to say he was wrong? Some would say the constant recurrence of cancer proves God is not really in control but medicine is. But perhaps this is a part of a mysterious cross I am to bear on this earth. Arguing these matters does little good, because often our faith and feelings are so intertwined we don’t know which is which. If my faith is based on my own thoughts and conclusions, my changing feelings will keep me on an unending roller coaster ride. My faith is in an “Indestructible Life”, but it is not my own. As the writer of Hebrews was explaining the unique priesthood of Jesus, he called him “One who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (Hebrews 7:16) This One’s body was destroyed on a cruel cross, but God proved his life indestructible as He raised him on the third day.

    Too many variables hit my feelings these days, but the One who is faithful and true has all power to give me what I need. Monday, our oldest daughter Kinsey wrote me a note that is helping me through the week: “Well Dad, I know you are not looking forward to this day too much. Last week we sang a song and I thought the lyrics would be encouraging during this week of chemo:
    ‘You are the Everlasting God, the Everlasting God.
    You do not faint; You won’t grow weary
    You’re the defender of the weak; You comfort those in need.
    You lift us up on wings like eagles.’
    Just remember God gives strength to the weary and increases your power. You’ll soar on wings like eagles! I know you probably don’t feel that way, but God will give you strength!”

    The One who is indestructible is with us…

    “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31

Random Post

Categories

Archives