Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • hope

    —

    Dana

    We sometimes get so caught up in this world we forget that this earth is not our home. Believers of old knew they were aliens in a land that was not their own. This is why a message of “hope” fills the pages of Scripture. Susan and I often attend a support group for people with multiple myeloma. It goes without saying that we all want there to be a cure for this deadly disease. I’m usually one of the youngest patients, but I have realized that, even if a cure is found tomorrow, all of us are eventually going to die. If a healthy person accuses me of being a pessimist, I should remind him that he won’t live on this earth forever either. Even for those diagnosed with a fatal disease, it is easy to be in denial about death.

    If I can admit that one day I will die, or better yet, one day Jesus will return, my hope can be put in a much more secure place. This challenge is not just for me, but for anyone who believes in eternal life. If God’s Word is true, this life is just “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Our main existence is elsewhere. So where is your hope? If your mind is only on the things of this world, the Holy Spirit says, “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

    It is interesting what Paul says leads to hope. I cannot explain all the reasons for suffering, but I can say that in the midst of a trial it is often easier to lift the eyes beyond this world. “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” (Rom 5:2-5) I will eventually be disappointed with temporal hope. But if “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” I will not be disappointed, for my heart is set on what is eternal.

    Next week, as we thank God for the incredible blessings He has showered upon us, may we look beyond the things we see with human eyes. May we see an incredible Father who has an amazing love for His children. May we see a loving Savior, seated next to the throne of God, waiting for the word to return for His Bride. May we see the Comforter who continually leads us in truth. And may we see a place prepared for all who have put their faith in Jesus. Even now we can give thanks for such a Kingdom and anticipate an indescribable Feast. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

    “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19

  • trust

    —

    Dana

    A friend sent me an encouraging note about the center of the Bible this week. Of course we know that the authors of the Old and New Testaments did not write chapters and verses, but it was interesting to discover that Psalm 118 has 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it. (I did not check the addition 🙂 ) Psalm 118 fits between the shortest chapter in the Bible (Ps 117) and the longest chapter in the Bible (Ps 119). In the New King James Version, Psalm 118:8 says: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

    In II Kings 1 we find a king of Israel putting his confidence in someone worse than man. After sustaining an injury in a fall, King Ahaziah gave messengers this assignment: “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.” God gave his prophet, Elijah, an interesting question to send the king: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?”

    Some people never pray because they don’t believe there is a God. This was not Ahaziah’s problem. Other people fail to pray because they are living in opposition to God. “Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria… He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he walked in the way of his father and mother… He served and worshiped Baal and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done.” The reason Ahaziah inquired of another god was that he didn’t want to face the True and Living One.

    Parents know there is usually something wrong if their child will not look them in the eye. Children with something to hide try to avoid being around their parents. I have the greatest joy going home to little John in the afternoons. He starts running and squealing with delight when he sees me. (Susan feels this way too… she has just learned to conceal it 🙂 ) But I have already noticed something about this little boy who is not quite two years old. When he has done something he knows he shouldn’t have, he hangs his head and avoids my look. No one wants to get things right quicker than I do, but it takes a willing boy. Could God have forgiven a wayward king? Of course He could have! No one wanted things put right in Israel more than God, but there needed to be a willing king.

    When I am walking with the Lord, I’ll want to ask Him first about everything. Why put my confidence in man if God is on my side? For those that trust Him, perhaps this is the most loved chapter in the Bible:

    “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)

  • obsessed

    —

    Dana

    I had a good report last week after completing one round of chemotherapy. The unwanted protein has already dropped from 3.3 to 2.5. Since good responses with this type of chemo are usually seen early, this is a good sign… making the negative aspects of the treatment much more bearable. I am enjoying an ‘off week’ before starting the second round Monday. Again I thank you for continued prayers.

    On the way home from the doctor Thursday, I thought I would call Taylor who has been gone a little more than a month. When he did not answer and I got his voice mail a strange thing happened: I started crying. Now I guess I could blame such emotions on drugs, but I don’t think they had quite kicked in. Somewhere deep in the heart, I think a father misses his son. I was warned by friends who have watched sons and daughters leave home. When these grown men told me of tears they had shed, I would think to myself, “I don’t think I’ll do that.” But there I drove Thursday afternoon with tears streaming down my face thinking of the son I’ve not seen in a while.

    I know of one father who lived out in the country. He missed his son so much he made it a daily habit to walk out on his porch to look down the long driveway in search of his son. If he stood long enough, tears would come to his eyes too. One day he saw a little dot on the horizon and wondered who it might be. As a young man got closer and closer to the house, the father thought he looked familiar. Could it be? As the father climbed off the porch and saw that, indeed, it was his son, he started running toward him. Without shame, he hugged his son and welcomed him home.

    You probably recognize the story Jesus told about His Father. My friend Harry in Jerusalem tells me that in that culture today, as in the time of Christ, an older man would never run. In fact, it would be shameful for a father to hike up his robe and run up the road to welcome a child… prodigal or not. But is that not the point of the story? A Father loved us so much, He endured shame to welcome us home.

    Christian author, Ted Dekker, has written a novel entitled OBSESSED in which a man goes to incredible lengths to gain a buried treasure. At the end of the book, he writes the familiar parable that Jesus told about such a guy. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) With the obvious lesson that we should be obsessed with true treasure, Ted Dekker also shares that God is obsessed with us. Such obsession causes a father to constantly look for a lost child. Such obsession causes a Shepherd to leave ninety-nine sheep to go search for one. Such obsession even causes One to lay down His life for those He loves.

    I heard about a group of Jewish rabbis who put their faith in Christ and quickly reached some unusual conclusions about the Jewish writings we call the New Testament. The parable of the hidden treasure had a very obvious meaning to them. We are the treasure. God found us and with great joy gave everything He possessed to purchase us. (Technically, they understood that the Jews were represented by the hidden treasure and the Gentiles were represented by the pearl of great price – the next parable Jesus told.) Can it be we are worth that much to God?

    So if the perfect Father is obsessed to the point that He would give His most precious Son for His children, I guess it’s OK for a dad (or a mom) to shed an occasional tear for one of his own 🙂

    “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

  • body

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    Dana

    “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” So much of the wisdom of God is found in the Body of Christ. We get glimpses, but I wish we could understand it all. As a part of a local church, you have probably experienced aspects of the body. We know different ones have different gifts and each person is needed. One time I hired a whole staff of camp workers that were pretty much just like me. We had a great time, but no one could ever find their keys! God knows we need people around us with strengths we don’t have. When we humbly do what we’re good at and encourage others in their strengths, the body works. When the foot tries to do the job of the hand, we struggle.

    We’ve also experienced the love members of a congregation have for one another. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I think it is more fun to be on the giving end than on the receiving end, but we usually don’t get to choose our circumstances. Love builds up the wounded. Acts of kindness help a hurting member make it through a day. Often the giver may not even know he made a difference, but God knows how important the little things are. I received a beautiful card from a family in Chattanooga yesterday. I have never met this family, but they are friends of my brother and learned of my sickness. Since they are connected to my brother, they are connected to me, so they blessed someone they didn’t even know.

    For some reason God has allowed me to experience another aspect of His Body that is hard to explain. The Body of Christ is all over this world and though we’ve never met most members, we are connected. This morning, a beautiful young lady who teaches school in her African country, Namibia, e-mailed me to say that she and all her friends were praying for me. She then relayed the Scripture from Joshua that says to ‘be strong and courageous’. How did she know that is what I needed this morning? Last week, a native of India we met through The Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that serves the persecuted church, called from his Indian home to check on me. He asked if he could pray for me over the phone. Somehow I knew God was also connected with that phone conversation. I have heard from members of the Body who live in Jerusalem, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Canada, Brazil… and I realize I am no more special than anyone else. Every member is precious to God! We are parts of His Body… He cannot forget us. Yes it pleases Him when we reach out and bless the hurting, feed the hungry, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. But these acts of love within the Body reflect the awesome love of the Father. And if, for one reason or another, I find myself in a place of suffering where no one even knows I’m hurting, His love is no less.

    We know Jesus suffered once on the Cross to redeem the world. Somehow, though, Paul knew that the sufferings of Christ were not finished. “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Col. 1:24) When a member of the Body hurts, Jesus hurts. When we serve one another, we serve Him. When the world sees love, the world sees Jesus… and God receives glory.

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:3-9

  • 15-08-05

    —

    Dana

    We had a successful surgery last Thursday as a port was put into my chest. Monday I received chemotherapy and after an easy day, I remembered Monday night and Tuesday why I hate chemo so much. But I am feeling better now and hopefully will sleep tonight and be able to work the rest of this week. I thank you again for so many prayers and kind words.

    Susan told me I left out a word in a recent ‘journey’ and I told her to get used to it. The mind gets a little cloudy with all the poisons chasing the cancer out of my body. The numbers ’15-08-05′ represent a date and it is not a mistake. Israel, as many countries, puts the day first, then the month, then the year. On the 15th of August, at the order of the government of Israel, settlers in Gaza were removed from their homes. I will not write a political opinion of this decision. As a younger man, Ariel Sharon fought to establish settlements in the Gaza Strip. As an older man, Prime Minister Sharon, decided there might be a better chance for peace in Israel if the settlers were removed. He may be voted out of office for his decision as opinions on both sides of the issue are furiously debated. I doubt anyone has the exact truth on what will take place in Israel before Jesus returns, but I’ll offer a thought that gives me joy. I’ve only studied the formation of two nations that presently exist on earth: our nation and the nation of Israel. It is hard to read of what took place in 1776 (and the surrounding years) without believing that God had a powerful hand in our country coming into being. It is, I believe, impossible to read of what took place in 1948 (and the surrounding years) without recognizing the powerful hand of God in bringing the present nation of Israel into existence. When we earnestly pray for our nation and other nations, I believe we approach something precious to the heart of God.

    On August 30th, we were on the Mount of Olives and I saw something I will never forget. Surrounded by a multitude of Israeli soldiers, many settlers, wearing bright orange t-shirts imprinted with the date ’15-08-05′, were participating in a type of funeral. This was the day the transported dead from Gaza were given new graves. We didn’t intentionally attend this event; it was just the day we had chosen to visit the well-traveled road that Jesus often walked. Instead of watching such a news story on television, I found myself looking into the eyes of those that were grieving. Some of you have looked into the eyes of those that have lost everything in the recent hurricanes. There is something about being close to pain that is jolting.

    This week several have sent me Scriptures that hold the promises of God for those who love Him. Many expend quite a bit of energy trying to figure out why God would allow the suffering we have seen in recent months. Some even reject faith in God because they can’t grasp a satisfactory answer to the question of suffering. I can’t give perfect answers, but I can tell anyone with great confidence that God is love. One day He may explain everything to us in such a way that we will see how suffering on this earth never contradicted His love. One day we might fully understand the wrath of God and the mercy of God. But here is what we know now: “God desires no one to perish, but all to have eternal life… and eternal life is found in His Son.” So instead of worrying about the things you will never understand, put your energy into walking with God through His Son, Jesus. Is it possible that one who walked with God was hit by last year’s tsunami in Southeast Asia? Is it possible that one who walked with God was impacted by a hurricane in our gulf coast? Is it possible brothers and sisters in Christ have been devastated by the earthquake in Pakistan? Is it possible to be a Jew who walks with God in Israel? Is it possible to be an Arab who walks with God in the West Bank? Is it possible to walk with God through unemployment or disease or even death?

    The hope for mankind is not in teaching everyone how to avoid pain and suffering. The hope for mankind is in knowing the One who overcame the world. That same One told us we would have tribulation on this earth. He even predicted the things that would take place before He returned. He does not want us to argue over the meanings of His predictions; He wants us to walk with Him. He’s a Friend that can take us through any valley. He is the Shepherd who whispers instructions and promises to His children. Listen to Him and believe.

    “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

    “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock… My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, will I seek… Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors… I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:5,8,11,13,14

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