Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • livestrong

    —

    Dana

    Lance Armstrong is on the cover of the latest issue of CURE magazine. Winner of seven consecutive Tour de France cycling events, Armstrong has been an able spokesman for survivors since completing aggressive treatment for testicular cancer in December of 1996. His book, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE, has encouraged thousands to never give up when facing adversity. 55 million LIIVESTRONG plastic bracelets have been sold with proceeds going to fight cancer. “Wherever I go”, he said recently, “I talk about cancer – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.” I am thankful for Lance Armstrong’s efforts and for his desire to wipe out cancer, but as I prepare for another bout with this disease, I often think of the obvious dilemma that even a cure won’t solve.

    I’ve always been one of the youngest members of the Atlanta support group for multiple myeloma. As different treatments are discussed and exciting advancements are proclaimed, I can’t help but look at the some of the elderly members of the group and think, “But even if the cure is found, you’re going to die pretty soon.” And then I look at myself and think, “And you’re not going to escape death, either.” Of course we’d all like a cure for cancer, but even such an accomplishment will only be short-lived. We don’t hear too many people going around saying, “Wherever I go, I talk about death – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.”

    I love the Lance Armstrong comeback story, but Lance will face God one day…. so will you… so will I. What will be most important then? The vast majority of the people that have lived on earth have been dead longer than they were alive. So what’s important now? Jim Elliot’s famous quote is timeless: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim wrote these words as a college student in 1949. He died while taking the Gospel to Ecuador in 1956.

    I want to live strong, but what does that mean for the child of God? He’s given me this day. What do I do with it? I am facing a trial. Do I face it with courage or do I shrink in fear? Through God’s grace, I’ve been saved. Do I thank Him and spread the good news or do I take it for granted and keep Jesus to myself? The devil is trying to steal and destroy. Do I resist him and fight in faith or do I wither and doubt? Jesus beckons me to pick up my cross daily and follow Him. Do I listen and obey or do I ignore His voice?

    If anyone should live strong, the Christian should. But do we? As we face struggles, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. While things are going well, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. Whether we die or whether Jesus returns, our days are numbered. He has Kingdom purposes for us; so live strong.

    “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:10-13

  • 9/11

    —

    Dana

    I had a meeting with the oncologist last week and we decided to start chemo on September 11. I was thankful for full energy and good health this past summer, but recently my counts have been increasing rather quickly. So I hope the same approach we took last year will be effective again. As always, we cherish your prayers.

    I saw the movie, “World Trade Center”, this past weekend. What a powerful reminder of an unforgettable day in our country’s history. It is a story of courage, faith, and sacrifice focusing on two Port Authority policemen who answered the call to go to the towers. Having just been in the Port Authority, the sights and sounds seemed all too familiar.

    September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday. I was in New York City on Saturday, September 29 and witnessed some things I’ll never forget. I didn’t make it to Ground Zero, but I must have walked fifty blocks that afternoon. Every fire station had memorials erected. The pictures of the fallen from each station were placed on location and mourners continued to place flowers on the ground. Each memorial was hallowed ground. On more than one occasion that afternoon, a fire engine answered a call. As it pulled out of the garage onto the city street, everyone stood and cheered… and many cried.

    In the movie, the sergeant asked for five volunteers to go with him to the top of the tower. Chills ran up and down my spine as these men re-enacted what actually took place five years ago. “I’ll go.” “I’m with you, Sarge.” “I’m coming”. “Here I am, send me!” Did they know what they were doing? Did hundreds of firemen and policemen know it would be their last rescue effort? “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

    People argue today about the wars that rage. Some wonder whether there really is an enemy that wants to destroy our nation. While honest people may hold different opinions on the best options to take, it seems important to determine whether there is danger. Of greater curiosity are the questions of spiritual battles. Is there really an enemy who seeks to devour? Are we living in dangerous spiritual times? If there is a war, am I really in the fight?

    Many have no doubt about such questions. Hearing the Lord of Hosts say, “Who will go?” some have answered courageously: “Here am I, send me!” The friends we visit in Jerusalem recently sent a picture of the four-wheel-drive Toyota we rode in last fall. It was burned inside and out – totally destroyed. They are not fighting Hezbolah; they are teaching Muslims about Jesus. Losing a brand new vehicle is an inconvenience; losing a soul is eternal. The devil does use violence for his benefit, but he uses more subtle tactics in our land – apathy, the pleasures of life, spiritual blindness. Maybe his greatest success is keeping us from realizing there is a war… and from remembering that time is short.

    I couldn’t help but think of Jesus when I saw those brave men volunteer to enter the danger zone. That’s exactly what He did!

    Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

    “They are bound by sin! They have no chance, Father, yet You desire none perish, but all to have eternal life. Whatever the cost… here I am, send Me!” He’s still searching for His lost sheep. He asks others to follow Him into the battle. He knows the danger and the cost, yet He continues to beckon: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37)

  • Jesus

    —

    Dana

    I finished the book, “Jesus”, at a friend’s house in New Jersey a few days ago. In a remarkable way, Walter Wangarin Jr. tells the story of Jesus through the voice of His mother and best friend, John. The book closes with John writing these words:

    I’ve walked with him. I was his beloved and bore no other name but that. I span his earth time by thrice as many years as his. And I know he knew the Beginning as closely as did the Creator – and knew the Creator closely too, more intimately than any parent and child by blood connected, know each other. Well, then: I cannot lay my pen aside until I’ve given expression to the mystery inexpressible, the timelessness and the placelessness of the Lord.

    In the beginning
    Was the Word,
    The Word was with God,
    The Word was God.
    He was in the beginning with God;
    All things were made through him;
    Without him was not anything made that was made.
    In him was life.
    This life was our light.
    And this light still shines in the darkness.
    Darkness has not devoured it!
    The true light approached the world,
    Then came into the world,
    But the world refused to know him.
    Nevertheless:
    To all who did receive him,
    To all who believed in his name,
    He gave the power to become the children of God:
    These have been born anothen:
    They have been born
    Not of a woman’s blood
    Nor of the will of the flesh
    Nor of the whim of a hotblooded man,
    But of God.
    The Word. The Word. The Word.
    Became flesh and dwelt among us,
    Full of grace and truth.
    I have myself beheld his glory:
    Glory as of the only Son of the Father.
    And from his fullness have we all received
    Grace
    Heaped on a greater
    Grace.
    For the law was given through Moses.
    Grace and truth?
    These came to us through Jesus Christ.
    No one has ever seen God.
    The only Son,
    Residing in the bosom of the Father –
    He has made him known.

    Some think the first verses of the Gospel of John were the words of a hymn sung by early Christians. How many songs about the Savior have been written since? As I was finishing this book, my friend Steve, a computer genius, came into the room, picked up his guitar and started singing a song I had never heard before. The song expressed exactly what my heart was feeling at the time. Isn’t it funny how God works? The title of the song is “You Gave” by Jay Stocker:

    Lord, I want to be pleasing to you
    In everything I do.
    And I want to love you more,
    More than yesterday,
    More than words can say,

    ‘Cause you gave your life;
    You lived and died for me, for me.
    You paid the price;
    You sacrificed for me, for me.
    And now the least that I can do
    Is live my life for you.

    So what’s the point of all the song-writing about Jesus from the first century until now? On our short trip, Susan and I went across the Hudson River to see a former student who lives in New York. She’s in her first year of work after college in a profession that has its ups and downs. The reason these songs about Jesus are so important is that they keep us centered on the things that matter – grace and truth. This world shows little grace and the devil hates truth. He is the master of confusion, deception, and discouragement. But Light pierces the darkness; Grace lifts our spirits; and Truth puts our feet on solid ground. Jesus would say the same thing to me that He would say to a young person in New York City or a computer whiz in New Jersey: “Keep your hope in Me! Your worth is not in your profession. If you are Mine, you are a child of God! That is who you are! This world may call you great one day and call you worthless the next. Your Father in Heaven does not treat His children that way. He sees you in Me and He calls you His own.”

    “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” I John 3:1-3

  • blessings

    —

    Dana

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

    Read the first two chapters of Ephesians and see what all God has done for us. I’ve been getting bad reports again from the doctor, but I just don’t think I’m going to worry about it. Susan is making me get an MRI because of some back pain, but I’m going to try to keep my mind on other things. We’re winding up school this week and our family’s busiest time of the year has arrived as summer camp begins, but I’m hoping to enjoy my work and trust God to help me do a good job.

    I have every reason to praise God for this past school year. It started with bad news of cancer’s return, but God rescued me time and again. There were moments of pain, but there were many more moments of great joy. I’m grateful for another year to be a husband, a father, and a teacher. I’ve been able to be with friends here in Atlanta and I’ve been able to visit friends in far places. I’ve met new brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and I’ve seen God’s tenderness to the poor and hurting.

    When I read these chapters in Ephesians, I marvel that God chose to love me before the creation of the world! I am reminded, once again, that Jesus is everything. Without Him we have absolutely no hope. But in Christ, we have life, purpose, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, and the Holy Spirit. God lavishes His grace on us. I like the word, “lavish”. He does not withhold from His children. His salvation is an amazing gift. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” This gift makes me want to serve the Father all my days. I was once dead… now I’m alive. I once followed the ways of the world… now I see His Kingdom. I was once separate from Christ… now I am close to Him. He is the Good Shepherd who walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and whispers that we need not fear.

    I want everyone to know this good King, the Prince of Peace, the Chosen One. He understands everything we will ever face on this earth and He delivers us from sin. We can’t even fathom what He did at the Cross to make the way for us to be part of His family. He gave everything out of love for us. And now He says, “You do the same.” I say, “But Lord, how can I love like You? How can I give myself away like You did?” “Have you given yourself to Me? Have you laid down your life at My feet? If you sincerely say, ‘Take my heart; take all of me,’ I will. I live in you! I will love through you. You will bear fruit through Me. And I will complete what I have started. Just keep trusting in Me.”

    I usually don’t write these ‘journeys’ during the summer months, but if I receive news I need to pass along, I will. Thanks for your love and prayer. Keep your eyes on Jesus!

    “… Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

  • provision

    —

    Dana

    Many of you have prayed for Terri and John these past two years. It is so neat to see God’s answers to prayer and His provision for His children. We love Terri so much, but God’s love goes beyond description. Terri now has a great job with a Christian employer and Christian co-workers. Some of you know that our work environment is one of the most important aspects of a job. This job came about when a good friend heard businessmen discussing the great need of helping men and women who have had some difficulties in life but really want to follow God. Our friend asked, “Are you ready to put your money where your mouth is?” Within a week or two, Terri had a job and her employer happily says she often does the work of two people in the office. Susan and I know Terri is a good worker. She is honest and smart. How grateful we are that someone gave her a chance.

    For the past few months we have been praying for a place for Terri and John to live. It seems like this is the next step to take, but do you know how expensive it is to rent a house or apartment? We all searched to no avail. Friends kept their eyes open, but it really looked impossible. At one point, Terri had someone offer to help financially, but there were several complications which caused it not to work out. After this fell through, I heard Terri say, “Well, I’m going to quit worrying about it and just let God take care of things.” My faithless heart thought, “Well, I guess Terri and John will live with us a few more years…” But perhaps God was teaching His daughter to come to the important position of really trusting Him for everything. “If He has been with me this far, will He not stay with me? If He gave me a job, will He not give me a place to live? If He helps me conquer addiction, will He not help me live victoriously in every area of life?”

    Within a week or two of Terri’s bold statement of faith, a brother brought a church bulletin advertising a house owned by the church that had just come available for rent. We immediately called and set up a visit. It was perfect! We all knew it was God’s answer. I don’t think we could have drawn better plans for a house, and the rent is exactly what Terri can afford. And to show He thinks of everything, there is a clause in the contract that says the church will take care of all yard work!

    The final thing I’ll say about Terri is that in this journey she knows it is about more than her. She knows her responsibility to her family. She also knows there are many who struggle with addiction who need to experience God’s love and power. Just a week ago she helped a high school student come clean with his parents about what was going on in his life. A few weeks ago, I noticed a new face in our home watching a movie. When I met this young lady, I saw a beautiful child of God fighting the devil’s drug temptations. Terri had told her friend to call if she ever needed company in the fight. When her friend called, Terri was there… true to her word. Our family has an incredible friend.

    “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God… May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:5-7 & 13)

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