Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • unity

    —

    Dana

    There have been many calls for unity lately, but Jesus seeks a specific type… one that will change the atmosphere and last forever.

    “My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me that they may be one as We are one — I in them and you in Me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23)

    Jesus shows the path in His prayer: ‘Let all the saved be in the Father and Son… just as the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father. Then the world will know I am who I say I am — the Beloved Son of God and Savior of the world. I have given you the glory My Father gave Me so you may be one and so the Father’s love may be known.’

    The rebellious, the violent, the rash, the evil-doers, lovers of themselves, haters of God, the proud… (see II Timothy 3:1-5) can never bring about true unity. Without the Father, Son, and Spirit, even well-meaning, upstanding citizens will not find success. Jesus is the only Way… and as we find our place in Him, light will shine and bring glory to the Father.

    The Holy Spirit is faithful to remind us of Jesus’ words. Over and over this summer, we heard a familiar teaching: “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Abide in Me.” What a beautiful picture of unity — a fruitful Vine, tended by a perfect Gardener, thriving in an existence of trust. And there is an obvious truth — without the Vine, the branches can do nothing. (read John 15:1-8)

    God will judge all things. We are simply to live confidently in Christ and receive all the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord gives wisdom, compassion, understanding, and love… and these are what our world desperately needs.

    “Therefore, judge nothing before its appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring light to what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” I Corinthians 4:5

    “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

    “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2-5

  • summer

    —

    Dana

    Wow… what a summer! Teachers came back to work this week as we prepare for students to return Monday. Our leaders have worked diligently these last three months to provide the safest environment and best educational opportunities in a different world. We would all appreciate your prayers as school begins.

    There was no travel to distant lands this summer, but we did stay connected with brothers and sisters across the world. Through Zoom, we were able to visit and be encouraged by friends in Israel, Ecuador, Brazil, Greece, Thailand, Namibia and several states in our country.

    Many nations have experienced the COVID pandemic without some of our modern health benefits. Pastor Manuel’s family suffered terribly in Ecuador as both Paula’s parents and a brother died of the virus. Mayra, Marco’s wife, is mostly recovered after being hit by a truck while riding her bike to work. We’ve cried and prayed and longed to be with our friends.

    Such trials can create feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. And though we know that God is with us, the pain of loss can be overwhelming. So where can we go but to the Lord? He is faithful to encourage us with words such as these: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) God sees and understands every circumstance.

    Jesus did not treat death or suffering in a flippant manner. He entered the pain of His friends and saw death as the enemy only God could defeat. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha after the death of their brother, but He challenged them to believe in Him — the Chosen. “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

    I’ve been healthy this summer, though I did spend a lot of time at Emory. The attempts to trick my bone marrow into producing essential blood cells have not worked, so I continue to get periodic transfusions. The good news came from a clear bone marrow biopsy and PET Scan. My blood still shows no cancer and we praise God for His care. Two years ago, I entered a cutting edge CAR-T cell trial. Out of twenty-four initial patients, I am the only one still cancer-free.

    “Why me?” is a question I cannot answer, but I tell God I want to live boldly and not take His gifts for granted. I can say things from experience that people need to hear, but I want to share with the heart of Jesus. He is perfect. Let’s pray that each of us will be filled with His compassion, understanding, and love. Our world needs such blessings.

    “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14

    “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

    “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” I John 3:18

  • pomp and circumstance

    —

    Dana

    This is our final week of school so this will be the last writing for a while. As you know, graduations have taken a new path this year because of our social distancing constraints. One way or another, I hope you can celebrate with graduates you know in the completion of a section of education. Congratulations to all!

    img_1621Wilkes’ birthday is two days after my dad’s March birthday, and Macy’s big day is two days after my mom’s birthday in May. We recently visited my parents for an early celebration of my mom turning 86. The next weekend we enjoyed a Minnie Mouse Tea Party on Macy’s third birthday. What a blessing!

    img_1641We are so thankful for our family and friends. We also thank God for the health He has given me this past school year. The steroid regimen I received to boost platelet and red blood cell production in my bone marrow was ineffective in March, so it looks like we may now try a different drug which will be administered once-weekly four times at Emory. We know God is in control… and we cherish your prayers.

    Our team of sixteen had to cancel a May trip to Ecuador, a nation hit particularly hard with the virus. Please pray for brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world who have suffered in many different ways because of the pandemic. Susan and I were also planning to visit friends in a couple of other countries this summer, but it looks like we’ll have to wait a while.

    I love Jesus’ words: “Fear not, little flock.” What an honor to be in the ‘little flock,’ knowing our Good Shepherd is the perfect Leader. He is with us! This is why we need not fear. Let’s constantly depend on God’s grace and the Spirit’s reminders to keep our eyes, hearts, and minds fixed on the One who holds all things together.

    “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17

    “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2

    “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

  • resistance, suffering, and perseverance

    —

    Dana

    Lewis is my name and I recently turned my life over to Christ. My wife Sarah saw the huge change in me and decided to put her faith in Jesus also. Our two young children now have parents who are trying their best to be the mom and dad, and the wife and husband, God wants us to be. We are far from perfect, but we both feel so blessed to be on the same journey of faith, hope, and love.

    But this journey is being met with resistance. Sarah’s family has basically disowned her and we have faced a host of other challenges. Reading the Bible helps us understand that there is a battle being fought in the spiritual world that is very real. All children of God have a ruthless enemy who hates to see a person or a family dedicate itself to the Lord and His ways.

    Individually, I’ve sensed Satan’s desire to simply get me to retreat from faith and return to a life of ‘calling my own shots.’ So my prayer is to recognize his crafty ways, and for God, who has all power, to make me good soil. I do not want to be the hard path, or the rocky soil, or the thorny ground where ‘life’ is choked out. I want to bear fruit for the One who saved me. (see Mark 4:1-20)

    Remembering the power of prayer and the Person of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, I must ‘resist the devil’ and know he will eventually flee. The life of the child of God (or the family of God) is no joke. Satan constantly schemes… but “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”

    I need my focus to be on our Good Shepherd who has rescued His sheep and will not be defeated. No one can snatch us out of His hand! He gives peace in the midst of the storm. He whispers: ‘Joy comes in the morning’ and encourages us to persevere. He says perseverance must be learned for us to become mature.

    I long to be a mature husband, a mature father, a mature disciple of Christ… who lives by faith. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” If difficulty comes, I must choose to trust, obey… and persevere.

    Though He has given us salvation and every spiritual blessing, God seems to choose to let suffering take place in the lives of His children. Though we are young in the faith, Sarah and I confess that our trials have actually led to more dependence on God. If Jesus “learned obedience from what He suffered,” should we be any different?

    What did Jesus mean when He said anyone who follows Him must “take up his cross daily”? Peter wrote: “If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” I don’t have all the answers, but such Scriptures help us understand that our blessed life in Christ will not always be easy. I am asking God for grace to be faithful… no matter what.

    “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-3

  • Spirit, power, and prayer

    —

    Dana

    Hello, my name is Lewis. Recently, during perilous times, I was rescued. Jesus would say I was born again… born of water and the Spirit. Because of Him: God has forgiven my sins; I’ve been set free from the plague of addiction; and I have experienced peace beyond understanding. God’s love has invaded my heart… the Holy Spirit lives in me.

    Before Jesus completed His time on earth, He told His disciples it was better for Him to leave so that the Spirit could come. He promised His followers this Gift from His Father… the Helper, the Counselor, the One who would remind, teach, and empower.

    The Bible says: “When you believed, you were marked in Christ with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” We’ve been marked with the Holy Spirit!

    Paul prayed that God would give His children the ”Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we might know Him better.” He gives power to those who believe. “That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.”

    Jesus teaches us to pray for things that require God’s power. For example: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” So I am praying for those in darkness to see the Light. I am praying for the sick to regain their health. I am praying for the hungry to have food and the orphans to have homes. I am praying for the widows and the homeless and the addicts and the imprisoned.

    But God also wants me to be involved in His work. Am I willing to tell others what Jesus has done for me? Am I willing to serve the sick, the orphans, the widows, and the poor? Will I visit or write letters to those in prison? Will I give my money to help those in need?

    I used to always criticize the rich for not being generous enough or the government for not being helpful enough or my neighbor for not being thoughtful enough… but now Jesus tells me to quit judging others and start being a part of the solution. I am to pray without ceasing… and love others without limit. I am to rely on the Holy Spirit… knowing He now lives in me. I am to talk the talk of a child of God… and walk the walk of Jesus. He gives us power to live this way! “Lord, help us… and may the world be drawn to Your beauty and love.”

    “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7

    “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13

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