Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • prayer

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    Dana

    “Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:13-16

    I was in trouble, so I prayed.  There were times I was happy, so I sang.  I was sick, so I asked the older and wiser to come pray for me and anoint me with oil in Jesus’ name.  I have sinned, but I know God has forgiven.  I don’t mind confessing sin, for I know we all have that in common.  When we are honest with one another, we can easily pray for one another and healing takes place.  This past year, I’ve had the opportunity to stand in many places and thank fellow believers for remembering me in prayer.  This past Sunday, I stood in the church where I grew up and thanked several of my older brothers and sisters.  I think some cried as I told them God had answered their many prayers.

    Yesterday, I endured a long day of tests (I won’t get results for a week).  This is the one year anniversary of my stem cell transplant and few at the hospital recognized me with hair on my head.  When I talk to my doctors and nurses, I often tell them how many people are praying for me.  It is God that raises up, but He invites us to participate through prayer.  He can hear the cry of one child and give an instant answer or He can permit many to pray and answer gradually.  If He chooses to answer ‘no’, we can still trust that He is in control and that He loves us.  God is in charge of how and when He answers; He just calls us to pray in faith… and never give up.

    “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…”  Luke 18:1-8

  • motivation

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    Dana

    There was a time when these were my sources of motivation: a win, an award, a paycheck, someone’s approval… but now I see things quite differently. When you are told, ‘Time is short’, a unique focus appears.

    But it should not take a fiery trial to bring such focus. Through His spokesmen, God has given us the message He wants us to accept. While such revelation may produce urgency within our minds, the Lord councils us to be patient, steadfast, and constant in prayer. “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”(James 5:8) “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (I Peter 4:7) “Dear children, this is the last hour…” (I John 2:18)

    After several months of experience, I can tell you that even the revelation that ‘time is short’ is not enough motivation to live the life God calls us to live. A hectic pace, life’s worries, riches, and pleasures can dull any renewed focus. So what does have the power to motivate us? Paul wrote: “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (II Corinthians 5:14-15)

    If we embrace God’s radical love we will end up loving Him with all of our hearts… and that will lead to radical obedience. Jesus knows what His disciples need to live the life God desires. And the Father gives us what we need! Listen to Jesus’ words and take great hope!

    “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… If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him… All this I have spoken while with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you…” (John 14:15-27)

  • fruit

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    Dana

    As Paul sat in his prison cell, I wonder if he had regrets. “Have I done any good? Have I wasted all my talents? Will there be any lasting fruit?” As Peter prepared to hang on a cross, I wonder if he evaluated his life as a success or a failure.

    God does not view things the way we do. We look at a work of art and say, “That man used his talent in a wonderful way! He created something that will last!” But God says lasting fruit can only come one way – through His Son. These are Jesus’ words: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

    The world looked at the well-educated Paul in prison and said, “What wasted talent!” But God saw one who used his talent in the wisest of ways. The world did not call Peter a success. But the Lord was proud of the fisherman who abandoned all to become a disciple of the Master. The secret of bearing lasting fruit will never be found in the world’s wisdom, but only in God’s. And Jesus is the wisdom of God.

    As Jesus sees men strive to achieve and build on earth, He offers an invitation that holds the secret for true success: “Come to Me.” If we humbly come and honestly pray, “Lord, take all I am and all I have and bring forth fruit that will please the Father”… He will do it.

    “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…” Philippians 3:7-9

  • family

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    Dana

    I met a wonderful family in the Czech Republic. After serving as missionaries for ten years, this father, mother, son, and daughter are moving back to the United States. As I sat at their kitchen table, I realized afresh the beauty of a family dedicated to God. Peace and love were in the home. These parents loved each other and knew for certain that God had blessed them with a beautiful son and daughter to raise in the Lord. As we talked about the changes a move would bring, I prayed the pace and distractions of our culture would not change the priorities already established in this home.

    I’ve had a most amazing year. I’ve been able to teach and coach and travel. But do you know the moments most precious to me? Meals around our table… family devotionals… prayers before bedtime… No blessing outshines the blessing of family. I am so thankful for Susan and my three children and I want to spend my time with them in the wisest of ways.

    As parents, we know many things are valuable, but we must determine what is most important. No matter what this world may say, the most important thing for any family is to sit at the feet of Jesus. He is the source of peace and love and wisdom and truth. And He loves our families.

    “She (Martha) had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:39-42

  • shine

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    Dana

    I witnessed an interesting thing in the Czech Republic last week. Each student from our school that went on the trip had been communicating by e-mail with a Czech student for the past couple of months. With great anticipation we visited their school and each student met his pen pal. What a beautiful thing it was to see teenagers from different cultures meet face to face.

    I’m afraid we often take for granted the blessings we have in our land. While our students hear about God on a daily basis, our hosts have not had that privilege. The recent history of their land is full of difficulty. Few have been taught of a loving God who has created each of us for a purpose. Does this mean American kids are better than Czech kids? Of course not! God loves each of us with a love that is beyond our understanding.

    Our students wanted to share this love during the week. Many found it quite challenging to share faith with new friends who had little knowledge of God. But something interesting happened as they spent time together. The best word to describe what I witnessed is “shine”. Through imperfect teenagers, God let Light shine. I doubt anyone would boast of our efforts, for we all felt quite inadequate. But we can trust that Jesus lives within those who put their faith in Him. And if Jesus lives, He will shine.

    The last two nights we were together, we sang several songs of praise to our Father in heaven. As I looked around the room I marveled at what was taking place. Students who weren’t even sure there is a God were singing to Him. Many are praying that God will draw these dear people completely to Himself. But as we pray that God send revival throughout the world, let us remember the call Jesus gives His disciples and the interesting thing that results.

    “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

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