Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • father-son

    —

    Dana

    My little friend, Roy, made it back to Paris after a good visit in the United States. His dad called me last week and thanked me again for being kind to his young son on our flight from Europe to Atlanta. His call reminded me of the incredible power within the relationship of a father and son. Roy’s dad would roll out the red carpet for me and my entire family if we ever visited his Florida home.

    Not long ago, my son, Taylor, brought a friend to my office to ask a favor. I never give away our camp staff shirts to non-workers, but Taylor’s friend was wise. “Dad, Doug wants one of our camp shirts. Don’t you have a leftover from past summers?” I reached in a drawer, pulled out a shirt, and tossed it to him. “Thanks, Dad,” Taylor said. “Thanks, Coach Davis,” Doug remarked as he walked out of my office with his gift. I’ll tell you the truth, Doug would have never received that shirt had Taylor not interceded.

    “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) Do you think the Father hears the requests of His Son? If we imperfect fathers treat kindly those who love our imperfect sons, what about the perfect Father and His perfect Son? The one who loves the Son loves the Father… and the one who loves the Son is loved by the Father. (see John 14:13-31) And if we dare approach God’s heart and learn to think the way He does, we’ll realize His Son is all around us.

    “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matt 25: 34-40

  • mother-son

    —

    Dana

    Many were touched deeply by Mel Gibson’s depiction of the relationship between mother and Son in THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Who loves like a mother? Who experiences the pain of another like a mother hurts for her child? As Mary endured at the cross and watched her suffering Son, I wonder if the words uttered by Simeon thirty-three years earlier rang in her ears. “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

    Mothers love, mothers hurt, mothers endure, and mothers believe in their sons. Mary told Jesus, “They have no more wine.” Despite His protests, this mother seemed to know what her Son could do. “Do whatever He tells you,” she told the servants and Jesus’ first miracle was performed. How many good things have been done simply because a mother asked?

    It was no small thing that Jesus provided a caretaker for His mother before He drew His last breath. Some wonder what influence such a woman had on one of the great authors of the New Testament. I wonder what blessings John received for caring for the mother God chose for His Son.

    My mom turned seventy years old today. She has loved me, hurt for me, endured with me, and believed in me. She still rides a bicycle. She still loves her husband and tries to keep him in line. She still loves her children… and how she loves her grandchildren. I pray I never take her for granted… and I pray she knows she is loved.

    Happy Mother’s Day.

    “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28-29

  • free

    —

    Dana

    I recently read of a brother in Pakistan who was murdered for his faith. Fifty-year-old Mukhtar Barkat was warned to stop sharing Christ in his Muslim community. But Mukhtar believed it was worth the risk to keep sharing the good news with those who were lost. Early in the morning on January 5, 2004, this pastor was shot and killed. He left behind a wife and six children.

    In the article I read, this sentence caught my eye: “Family and friends say he did not fear death.” That’s the way I want to live… “he did not fear death.”

    But how does one live in such a way? Where does one receive such courage? What man or woman can overcome the natural fear of death? Jesus promises abundant life and then calls us to bold living. He knows the way of the cross is full of danger, so He admonishes, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” But how does one not fear what kills the body?

    The man or woman who realizes what happened at the cross has great advantage. Jesus wants us to grasp what He has given us. “The most dangerous warrior is the one who does not fear death. I have called you to be dangerous warriors in the Kingdom of Light. The gates of Hell will not overcome you. Do not be afraid to obey Me. I took the sting from death and I have given the devil a death blow. Understand what happened at the cross and be free.”

    “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15

  • mistaken

    —

    Dana

    We had a great trip to the Czech Republic over spring break. It was exciting to see our team of young Christians share their faith with other young people who have not heard much about our great God and His Son. As usual, I stand amazed at the faithfulness of God.

    On the last leg of our journey home, a nine hour flight from Paris to Atlanta, I received the greatest compliment of my life. It came from a seven year old boy named Roy who was traveling to America from his home in Paris to visit his father. Realizing this little guy sitting next to me was all by himself, I thought I would befriend him. Here’s a bit of our conversation (I wish I could include his accent):

    Roy: Are we almost there?
    Me: No, we have nine more hours… How long are you going to be in America?
    Roy: I’m staying for the Easter holidays.
    Me: Oh… You know Easter is the day Jesus came back to life.
    Roy: Jesus… I’ve heard of Jesus… They put nails in his hands (showing me) and they hung him til he died.
    Me: You’re right, Roy, they sure did.
    Roy: Jesus was an Israeli.
    Me (after a little thought): You’re right, Roy.
    Roy: And the people that follow Jesus are called Christians.
    Me: You’re right again, Roy.
    Roy: Are you a Christian?
    Me: Yes Roy, I’m a Christian.
    Roy (with a big smile): Well, I’m a Jew!

    While we were talking, a flight attendant came by and spoke to my new friend. Intrigued that he was not speaking English or French, Roy clued me in after the attendant left. “That was Hebrew.” It is quite humbling, as a 44 year old man who struggles with his own language, to sit next to a seven year old who is fluent in three!

    Roy told me of his puppy and his school and his best friends. He showed me his loose tooth and we worked a while on a puzzle. After an hour or so, my daughter, Kinsey, came by and I asked if she would take my place and show Roy how to play the video games at each seat. As I rose to exchange places with Kinsey, the great compliment was given. With a loud voice, Roy cried, “Bye Jesus! Come back soon, Jesus! I want to see you again, Jesus!” (I received more than a few concerned looks from other passengers on the plane).

    There’s a song out now called “I Want to be Mistaken for Jesus”. Oh may the world see Jesus in us… young and old, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile… may all find He is good.

    “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

  • little child

    —

    Dana

    And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

    I can picture Jesus taking little John, almost a month old, setting him before grown ups and saying: “Be like him. Be innocent. Be helpless. Be trusting. Be humble.”

    The world scoffs at such advice and gives its own: “Be experienced. Be independent. Be smart. Be skeptical. Be proud.”

    But who gets the blessing from above? “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them unto babes. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Matthew 11:25-26

    So are you a little child or are you all grown up?

    “Let me be a little child, Lord. As Jesus walked in innocence, so may I. As Jesus depended on You, so may I. As Jesus was humble, so may I be. As Jesus rejected the traps of the ‘wise and learned’, so may I. I trust in You – my perfect Father. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth (and in me) as it is in Heaven. Amen.”

    Many students and teachers from our school would appreciate your prayer as spring mission trips go out this week. Our family is to go to the Czech Republic, so I won’t write for a couple of weeks. Have a great Easter! Dana

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