Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • faith

    —

    Dana

    “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

    “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

    The writer of Hebrews seems like the excellent, ‘tough as nails’ coach, who knows what is needed to be victorious and is not afraid to state things as they are. This coach operates out of a wealth of knowledge and experience, but is completely motivated by love for each player.

    Though Jesus clearly depicted God as a loving Father, He also taught that our Father is no joke. What He says, He means; what He promises, He fulfills. He is full of grace and mercy, but His Word is true… ‘He will never change.’

    For the next few weeks, I’d like to share some stories from this past summer. If you know me at all, you’ll know how imperfect I am. Paul wrote: ‘Work out your salvation with fear and trembling,’ which does not mean we earn our salvation. “For it is by grace you have been saved — through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Through His Son, God has accomplished every good thing. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, God aims to mold us into the image of His Son. He wants us to hear the Good Shepherd’s voice and to learn to live by faith. He gives us His Spirit to be our Guide, Comforter, and Helper. Jesus lives in us and says: ‘Now, live in Me.’

    You may recall that my daughter Karlyn and I went to Spain in July 2021 at the invitation of Dave and Cindy Bintz, who have served as camp directors at L’Arcada Sports Camp in the small town of Banyoles, a couple hours from Barcelona. I was asked to share Jesus with the American coaches who had come to serve and the Spanish Christians who used their vacation time to be counselors. These counselors were between 18 and 28 years old, and most of them met Christ as teenagers at that same camp.

    Less than 1% of the citizens of Spain claim any relationship with Jesus. Parents send their kids to L’Arcada because their children love sports and because they are immersed in English for a full week. Regarding Christianity, the parents basically give these instruction to their children: ‘Be polite, but we don’t want you to get involved in religion.’ The misdeeds of those throughout history who wrongly represented God still cause untold damage and leave a whole nation in darkness.

    I was full of energy our entire trip, as we rose early and worked full speed until about midnight most days of the week. The day before we returned home, Karlyn and I traipsed through the lively city of Barcelona. We walked more than ten miles and visited most of the places we wanted to see. Karlyn was amazed at her old Dad.

    Though we both picked up COVID on our trip and Karlyn’s phone was stolen on our hike through Barcelona, we were thankful to establish rich friendships, and I was able to encourage many in Christ. Before we departed, our new friends prayed for us and asked us to return.

    About a month after the school year began, I had to start a new chemotherapy to fight multiple myeloma, the blood cancer I’ve dealt with since the year 2000. Soon my body started weakening and the doctors gave me some time off to recover. The chemo was effective and the cancer numbers dropped. My biggest problem became the impossibility of my bone marrow to produce blood cells. My pattern became visiting Emory twice a week to receive platelets and blood. One afternoon in January, while receiving an infusion, I felt God speak to my heart: ‘Dana, I want you to return to Spain this summer.’ Here began the faith journey of 2022…

    “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what you have been promised. For in just a little while: ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’” (Hebrews 10:35-38)

  • teachers

    —

    Dana

    New beginnings for teachers include learning names, getting the voice back into shape, communicating rules, and reminding ourselves why we do the things we do. Many have found it too difficult these days to continue in the teaching profession, but others, believing they have been given a gift to use, keep trying to fulfill a vital need in our society.

    I don’t think people should criticize those who change professions or retire early or conclude that various obstacles in schools are overwhelming. Many teachers who have changed professions or retired or just stepped away from teaching for a season still use their gifts to influence the young. Those who continue to teach in schools should be praised for not giving up. Many parents gained a new appreciation for the job as the pandemic forced many changes and impacted most homes. We all know that the job must be done or we all suffer.

    With two of our grandchildren now in Kindergarten and one in First Grade, Susan and I just want to know that our precious ones are loved, taught by those who really know how to teach, and have a chance to thrive in a healthy, safe environment. I can’t imagine the tragedies so many have endured these last decades as evil has targeted the young and innocent. Surely we can all pray for the children and parents in our nation.

    Susan and I were involved deeply in John Turner’s life three days after he came into the world. He rode to school with me for ten years. He plans to leave this week to attend Indian Hills Community College to get a two year degree and wrestle in a small town in Iowa. So many people have had a role in John’s life over the years: family, church family, neighbors, coaches, teachers, and friends.

    hensleyLast week, John drove from Alabama to visit a few days. Susan brought him to Greater Atlanta Christian School and he reconnected with several of his old teachers. They were all so happy to see him.

    I said, “John, your music teacher, Dr. Hensley, not only prayed for you while you were her student, but has prayed for you ever since you moved to live with your mom and attend high school in a different state.”

    When we popped into her room, Dr. Hensley was overjoyed. There was no pretense or fakery; John’s former teachers love and adore him. This is the love that changes the world. This is the love that never fails. This is the love that shows who God really is… Children are to be loved. Parents, church family, neighbors, coaches… and teachers are the Father’s instruments to reflect His true heart. May we all be faithful.

    “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud…. Love never fails.” I Corinthians 13:4,8

  • encourage

    —

    Dana

    We’ve come to the end of another school year, so this will be my last writing for a while. Susan and I appreciate your love and prayers. Those who encourage others often don’t realize how important this is in the Body of Christ.

    The younger generation needs encouragement these days. Many, many struggle with a lack of foundation and purpose. This may seem odd since so many accolades and privileges are showered on young people, but despite the well-intended efforts to build self-esteem and confidence, the lies of the enemy are more frequently believed: “You’re not good enough…” “You’ve got to prove your worth…”

    Drowned out are God’s truths: “You are loved with an everlasting love…” “I have created you for a purpose…” Young people need encouragers who not only echo what God says but live authentic lives showing His messages to be true. Words are important, but kids are impacted more by what they see than what they hear.

    When Paul wrote to early believers: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ,” he was pointing to the One who is the true Source of encouragement. If our children don’t find their identity in Christ, they will be constantly ‘tossed to and fro’ by the waves of this world. ‘Building up’ that which lasts is a building up of faith in the One who ‘holds all things together.’

    David once wrote: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” (Psalm 138:8) Faith means I know this to be true. No matter how bad I look or weak I get or lonely I feel, I can say with confidence: “It’s OK, Jesus is with me and He’ll never leave. He has a purpose for my life and He will work it all out. His love endures forever and by His grace I will trust and follow Him.”

    Can young people adopt such a mindset? The answer is ‘Yes’, but only with Christ. In Christ we see the One who gave up everything, was despised and rejected, and yet, overcame. He overcame because He lived in His Father, and He encourages us to do the same.

    Have a great summer!

    “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

    “Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” John 14:19-20

    “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

  • graduate

    —

    Dana

    image001Since the day we brought John Turner home from the hospital in March of 2004, he has always had fans in his corner. Our church, our neighborhood, our school, Terri’s family, her first husband Roger… it has always amazed us. Nearly all our neighbors once went to the ballpark to watch John play little league baseball. We took up a whole section of the stands and cheered loudly.

    image003It was no different this week for his high school graduation. Terri, her husband Daniel and many from his extended family, Roger, John’s brother Nick and sisters Blake and Lisa, his best friend Isaiah, his favorite waitress at the local Waffle House…. and of course, we were there. Susan fought back tears most of the evening. We are all so proud. This fall John has decided to wrestle at the junior college in Iowa we recently visited. So many of you have prayed for John over the years and we ask that you continue… as life tends not to get easier.

    It was a beautiful ceremony at the football stadium in Foley, Alabama as around 350 students reached an important milestone. Two brief speeches were given by the president and vice president of the senior class. The vice president was of Hispanic descent and closed his talk with a beautiful prayer, praising God and asking Jesus to direct all his classmates into the Father’s purposes. The full stadium, made up of black, white, Hispanic, and Asian citizens said ‘Amen’ at the close.

    image002God only knows the faith of each individual, but the entire evening I felt He was being honored. When the graduates tossed their caps into the air and the music played, it seemed as if everyone was proud of everyone. On the field, differences of skin color or social status did not matter, all were hugging, shaking hands, and celebrating the moment. I know there is no perfect high school or perfect town, but it just seemed the prayer of the young vice president set a tone. We need God in our midst.

    Jesus, the hope of the world, lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior. He is the hope of glory… and He is in our midst.

    “God’s plan is to make known His secret to His people, this rich and glorious secret He has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.” Colossians 1:27 (Good News Translation)

  • poetry

    —

    Dana

    image003image002This time each year our family has a flurry of birthdays. Macy turned a big 5 this week; my mom celebrated her 88th birthday on Mother’s Day; and my brother Delane turned 60 on April 30th.

    I guess I should finally admit Delane was the best athlete in the family. He won many honors in the city as a high school football player, but when age 60 arrives, you’ve got to find other passions. For several years Delane has written poetry. He usually just shares his poems with loved ones, but recently he self-published a second collection.

    image001Of course our mother thinks he is another Robert Frost, just like she thinks I am another C. S. Lewis. We both try not to let her praises go to our heads, but it is hard.

    For almost four decades Delane has worked with teenagers and young adults who struggle with mental illness. He knows the huge needs families face and the challenges in our society to provide help. I am proud of his life and the way He points to God as our true Helper.

    Here’s a recent poem entitled: ‘I Used To’:

    I used to get up early,
    And go to my favorite spot,
    With my trusty rod and reel,
    With hopes of catching a lot.

    An old man with gray hair,
    Who fished on the nearby dock,
    Would calmly field my questions,
    And say, ‘Cast over by that rock.’

    ‘Patience is very important,’
    Was his advice most days,
    ‘Not only in fishing but in life,’
    He would wisely say.

    I am the old man now,
    With years of fishing past,
    Passing on that same advice,
    To youngsters as they cast.

    You will catch more fish,
    If you wait on them to bite,
    And better handle problems,
    Being patient throughout your life.

    Pray that God will give you patience,
    And He will graciously supply,
    All that you faithfully ask,
    On that you can rely.

    “My child, if you take My words to heart,
    if you set store by My commandments,
    tuning your ear to wisdom,
    tuning your heart to understanding,
    yes, if your plea is for clear perception,
    if you cry out for understanding,
    if you look for it as though for silver,
    search for it as though for buried treasure,
    then you will understand what the fear of the Lord is,
    and discover the knowledge of God.
    For the Lord Himself is giver of wisdom,
    from His mouth issue knowledge and understanding.”
    Proverbs 2:1-6

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