Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • Moses

    —

    Dana

    Born as a slave in eastern Maryland around 1822, Araminta Ross married John Tubman in 1844 and changed her first name to Harriet. Later she was called ‘Moses’ for leading many of her people out of slavery prior to the American Civil War.

    ‘Harriet’, the movie, recounts her own escape in 1849 and subsequent trips from a place of safety to rescue others, including her own parents and family. What stands out to followers of Jesus is Harriet’s dependence on the Lord for guidance. She trusted the voice of her Savior and resisted the enemy of fear. While larger numbers have been proposed, historians agree she delivered at least 70 slaves from bondage and never lost a single person on at least 13 rescue missions.

    We do not have ‘legal’ slavery in our land today, but many are in bondage. I want to learn to trust Jesus the way Harriet Tubman did. She concluded: “I can’t fully enjoy my own freedom knowing others I love are still in bondage. Jesus wants liberty for all… and He will guide me to help others as I trust Him. ‘Lord, use me to set the captives free!’”

    Will there be misunderstanding? Will there be opposition? Will there be danger? We only need remember Jesus to see the true war. Satan will use every tactic to prevent spiritual freedom. The Nazarene’s own people accused Him of being a false teacher and though they claimed to follow Moses, they missed God.

    “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life… But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5:39-47)

    “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) In Christ there is freedom… and we must stand confidently in Him. As with those who walked the 90 plus miles with Harriet Tubman to reach safe refuge, following the Lord is not for the faint of heart. Two truths hold us steady: A King purchased us with His blood.… and our Good Shepherd promises to lead us to the Promised Land.

    “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the end. As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.’ Who were those who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?” Hebrews 3:13-16

    “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ‘Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,’ bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” Hebrews 3:3-6

    “They were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16

  • demonstrate

    —

    Dana

    Come to the table He’s prepared for you
    The bread of forgiveness, the wine of release
    Come to the table and sit down beside Him
    The Savior wants you to join in the feast

    Come to the table and see in His eyes
    The love that the Father has spoken
    And know you are welcome, whatever your crime
    For every commandment you’ve broken

    For He’s come to love you and not to condemn
    And He offers a pardon of peace
    If you’ll come to the table, you’ll feel in your heart
    The greatest forgiveness, the greatest release
    Michael Card – 1984

    img_5601Both my brothers, my sister, and I joined my parents and many others Wednesday evening in Chattanooga for a meal of Thanksgiving. Sitting at my parents’ table may be the most happy and secure place on earth. There, my Mom and Dad have demonstrated more of the Father’s love than we will probably ever understand.

    img_1537With a kind invitation from Taylor’s wife Emma and a bit of coaxing from me, Jim came off the streets for a day and joined two families for a wonderful meal on Thanksgiving Day. We all want Jim to repent, get clean, and reconcile with the Father… but Thursday we were satisfied to sit together around the same table.

    Driving back to the city Thursday afternoon, Jim shared this: “I have a friend named Eric… a good guy, but he also struggles with addiction. One day I told him about my church… and he just broke down crying.” The reality of God’s people simply loving others without giving up… and without forgetting He first loved us… demonstrates more power than we will probably ever understand.

    “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

  • memories

    —

    Dana

    I won’t write next week as we break for Thanksgiving – my favorite holiday. In 2014, I wrote about developing a list of people who have impacted my life. This exercise helped me be more grateful for family members, friends, teachers, authors, musicians, and other followers of Jesus who have helped me draw closer to Him.

    Almost a year before that, I put together another list of more than fifty trips God had allowed me to take since a cancer diagnosis in 2000. (Since then, He has permitted many more.) Once again, this remembrance caused me to praise God and thank Him for His marvelous faithfulness.

    I’ve formed another list and would encourage you to do something similar. Thanksgiving should always be on the lips of God’s children. How kind He is to us! “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us – that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1)

    Write down important dates or seasons in your life, and the reasons for their significance. Perhaps you remember the day you were baptized, or the day you met your spouse. We all remember anniversaries and birthdays of loved ones.

    I remember the day I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (my 41st birthday) and the times I had to enter the hospital for lengthy treatments. I remember taking our entire family to visit my brother in Cape Town, South Africa, shortly after recovering from a stem cell transplant. As we were deciding whether to purchase airline tickets, I confessed I was too weak and didn’t think I could make the trip. The kids disagreed: “Of course you can! God will give you strength!” And He did.

    While sadness accompanies dates of loss, memories of loved ones live within us and bless us. God is present in every moment… and we can give Him thanks.

    As I travel on life’s pathway,
    Know not what the years may hold.
    As I ponder, hope grows fonder,
    Precious memories flood my soul.

    Precious memories, how they linger,
    How they ever flood my soul.
    In the stillness of the midnight,
    Precious sacred scenes unfold.
    (J.B.F Wright, 1925)

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You. On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:1-8

  • master teacher

    —

    Dana

    At least four times over the years I’ve had the chance to lead a session at the Georgia Independent School Association annual conference. This past week my topic was Jesus the Master Teacher.

    Having just witnessed twenty-five teachers being honored as ‘master teachers’ in the opening main assembly, I asked the group to name some characteristics of a ‘master teacher.’ After writing suggestions on the white board, I asked if Jesus demonstrated these qualities while He was on earth.

    We had a great discussion. Every time I’ve led such a group, I am encouraged by how many teachers look to Jesus for wisdom and example. I asked participants to write on a card why they signed up for my session. One said she wanted “to better incorporate the love and knowledge of Christ within my classroom.”

    Another wrote, “As a Christian teacher in a secular setting, I want to find more ways for Him to shine through me.” A coach replied, “Anytime I can discuss Jesus with someone, it is a great day!”

    Here are the results of our discussion during the session. Of course this list is not exhaustive, but it is a good reminder.

    JESUS – MASTER TEACHER

    • Jesus was knowledgeable – He must have studied from youth as He often quoted Scripture; He taught about the Kingdom of God; He knew His Father and wanted others to know Him
    • Jesus was a good communicator – whether large crowds or His 12 apostles or one-on-one, He communicated His message with authority
    • Jesus was empathetic – He met people where they were; He was full of compassion
    • Jesus was willing to learn – He often asked questions, sometimes already knowing the answer, sometimes seeking to understand; He was humble
    • Jesus was flexible – Jesus interacted with individuals in ways that were needed; He answered His critics with wisdom; He was discerning
    • Jesus was relational – He came to restore relationship between man and God; He gladly visited homes of ‘sinners’ and ‘religious’, He called His disciples ‘friends’
    • Jesus was protective – He loved purely; He welcomed children and warned those who harmed ‘little ones’; He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep
    • Jesus was engaging – He challenged people to believe; He praised faith; He used stories and other methods to cause people to think; He spoke truth in love even though He knew it would lead to His death

    “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One who had authority, and not as the teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29

  • celebrations

    —

    Dana

    img_1482Taylor’s team won the state championship in volleyball this past week. His team had an incredible season and played their best in the state tournament. It is very satisfying as a coach to see hard work and team effort pay off.

    The grander celebration of the week took place a few days before when little Keightly experienced her very first birthday. Family and friends enjoyed pizza and cupcakes at Kinsey’s and Jordan’s house. Our grandchildren are now ages 1, 2, 3, and 4 and we are so thankful.

    img_1459Susu has given a car to each child on the first birthday. She told me this was her plan so there would be no expectation of cars on sixteenth birthdays. Susu loves to give.

    I’m glad Jesus came as a celebrating Savior. John the Baptist was called to a more austere and rugged path, living in the wilderness while calling people to repentance. Jesus, however, rubbed shoulders with all kinds of people from village to village.

    His first miracle was turning water to wine at a wedding celebration. He seemed to enjoy going to the homes of ‘sinners,’ but He also accepted invitations from religious Pharisees. With the rich or the poor, Jesus was at ease. He came to bring life to all.

    Of course, Jesus received criticism at every turn, but the man or woman of God must not be deterred by critics. “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” (see Ecclesiastes 3) I like the time to celebrate!

    “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:33-35

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