Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • security

    —

    Dana

    A top priority of any good parent is to establish security in a child. “You are loved; you are safe; you will always have what you need; you do not need to be afraid.” Parents don’t want their children to be anxious or worried but to know they are in good hands.

    As children of the perfect Father, we can simply read His Word and see similar feelings. God reveals such truths to us to erase all insecurity and to give us every reason to be totally confident in Him. He wants us to believe Him when He says:

    1. “I love you.”
      “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
    2. “I am with you.”
      “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
      “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
    3. “There is nothing impossible for Me.”
      “For nothing is impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37)
      “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be honor and glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
    4. “You do not need to be afraid.”
      “Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
      “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
      “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you or forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

    There is no better place of security than in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

    “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

  • hero

    —

    Dana

    In my early days of coaching, David Copeland was one of our young basketball players. As he grew up and has become a husband and father, David has encouraged our son Taylor in many ways. They both love to fish, so most of the mentoring has taken place in a boat. This past week, David’s dad died of cancer after having been diagnosed this past summer.

    Jim Copeland accomplished incredible things in his lifetime. He was a standout athlete in high school and college. He became an accountant and was eventually named CEO of Deloitte, one of the top accounting firms in the world. With an uncanny ability to analyze information and make wise decisions, he was asked to serve on many boards, including Coca-Cola, Equifax, United Way International, and the 9/11 Memorial Fund which raised over 400 million dollars for the families of those who died in the attack. A few years after retiring at the age of fifty-eight, Jim and two partners bought B.A.S.S., the world authority on bass fishing, from ESPN and turned the organization around. He rubbed shoulders with presidents of nations and secretaries of state and famous people around the globe, but the things highlighted at his funeral were what mattered most to him… faith, family, and friends.

    David shared memories of his dad from his childhood and the special times they enjoyed in his fourteen years of retirement. Helping the poor was a priority for his father. Jim loved God’s Word and taught Sunday school and led Bible studies for over forty years. David spoke of his dad’s passion after cancer diagnosis to make sure all relationships with people were in good order, to love everyone, and to share Jesus with all.

    Instead of promoting Jim’s many achievements, a writing by David’s thirteen-year-old daughter was printed on the inside cover of the funeral program. It was entitled Hero; here are a few lines:

    • “An example of a hero in my life is my grandfather; he is a true fighter and believer.”
    • “I have never met anyone so passionate and caring towards people.”
    • “Even with cancer his heart is ablaze for people and his heart for Jesus is a burning wild fire.”
    • “My grandfather is a true hero and I aspire to be just like him.”

    When those that know you best see Jesus at work in your life, there is wonderful fruit. I told David how proud I was of the way he honored his father. He reminded me that his dad often prayed for me, then added, “Now he is in that ‘great cloud of witnesses.’” May we be encouraged by those who use their talents for God’s glory and may we all run our race well.

    “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

  • cousins

    —

    Dana

    Kinsey, Jordan, and Owen came to our house from Birmingham a couple of days before Christmas. Karlyn, Taylor, Emma, Wilkes, and Macy planned to join us Christmas Eve for a nice meal and gift exchange. On their way to church Sunday morning, Emma turned to Wilkes in the backseat and said, “We are going to Opa’s and Susu’s house this afternoon! And guess who else will be there?” With excitement, Wilkes asked, “Who?” Emma replied, “Your cousin Owen!”

    img_7023Wilkes will be three years old in March; Owen is a little over a year younger. Staring out the window from his car seat, Taylor and Emma heard Wilkes say to himself, “Owen… I wuv that wittle man.”

    My prayer is that my children’s children experience the same healthy relationships growing up with their cousins and extended family as our kids had. The Saturday after Christmas, we went to my parents’ house in Chattanooga. Everyone could not make it, but many of the family gathered around my parents’ table and enjoyed food and one another’s company. My brother’s son Jeremy, his wife Whitney, and their two girls were home on furlough… they are missionaries in Peru.

    Jeremy is thirty-two years old and Taylor is thirty-one. They grew up spending holidays together and playing at their grandparents’ house. At the close of the day as people were leaving, I witnessed a beautiful sight as I looked out the window. Jeremy and Taylor were giving each other a big hug, knowing they probably wouldn’t meet again for a long time. I wonder if in thirty years a similar embrace might take place between Wilkes and Owen.

    Many think Jesus and John the Baptist were second cousins because Gabriel connected Mary as being related to John’s mother. “Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age…” (Luke 1:36) Just six months apart, John and Jesus loved each other deeply.

    John set the perfect example for all when he said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) When Jesus spoke of John who had been imprisoned by Herod, He said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Luke 11:11)

    May all cousins love one another! And may all God’s children love one another! Love is the proof that Jesus rules our lives… and it is what the world needs.

    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

  • King

    —

    Dana

    The Return of the King, directed by Peter Jackson, won eleven Academy Awards including Picture of the Year for 2003. Besides being the powerful conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy filmed in beautiful New Zealand, I can’t help but think that part of the movie’s popularity involves something that resonates deep in the hearts of human beings regarding the true King.

    Tolkien fans know Aragorn is the lonely Ranger called Strider who befriended four hobbits early in their journey. No one would have suspected that he was the one destined to be king of Middle-earth. Always content to be in the background, when danger appeared Aragorn was quick to respond with courage and an uncanny ability to defeat any foe.

    So it is with the true King who has saved us and called us for His glory. Born in a stable, raised in the poor village of Nazareth, content to live in obscurity as the son of a carpenter, Jesus was identified as the Christ by His Father after being baptized in the Jordan River. In meekness and power, the King “went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38)

    With His Father’s authority, Jesus lived and proclaimed a Kingdom that is vastly different from the kingdoms men build. Most of the religious did not recognize the King… who was also their God. They opposed Him because His words and ways did not match their own. They hated the One who came to save them. Notice Jesus’ anger and sorrow in Mark’s story:

    “Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralyzed hand. In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath. He told the man with the paralyzed hand, ‘Stand before us,’ then He said to them, ‘Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts, He told the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” (Mark 3:1-6 HCSB)

    What sets Jesus apart is the love with which He operates. He loved the man with a disability, but He also loved the ones who plotted to kill Him. He proved this love by dying for us all. The King of kings abdicated His rights and chose not “to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

    The King now calls us to walk this noble path. We might say, “But I don’t have the faith or the love to live like Jesus!” This is true… without God; but “with God all things are possible.” We all have a measure of faith, and the Lord asks us to use the faith we have… to give, to pray, to heal, and to be His witnesses. We all know the love of God, and so Jesus asks us to share this love He has given us with everyone we encounter. Remember that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rom 5:5) Let’s love fearlessly!

    As we remind one another of our King’s return and as we proclaim the Gospel to the world, may we walk with His kindness, His purpose, and His joy. Happy New Year!

    “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” I Peter 2:21

  • miracles

    —

    Dana

    An angel appears to Mary and communicates an upcoming birth… An angel appears to Joseph in a dream to confirm Mary’s story… Unborn John the Baptist leaps in his mother’s womb when Mary visits Elizabeth… Angels visit shepherds in a field… A star leads wise men to Bethlehem… A Baby is born to a young Jewish virgin.

    These are some of the miracles we remember at this time of the year. Of course the greatest Miracle is Jesus Himself… God made flesh… Immanuel – ‘God with us.’ As the Christmas parties and shopping and gift-giving take place all around the world, the Holy Spirit wants everyone to know the Miracle.

    Jesus is the Message to the world. When we see Jesus, we see God. When we listen to Jesus, we listen to the Father. God reveals Himself through the Miracle of His Son. For those confused about God or hesitant about trusting a father or leery about religion, the Holy Spirit says: “Come to Jesus.”

    “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed Heir of all things and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)

    We know Jesus worked many miracles while on earth, and today He continues to work miracles… in us! We are not only cleansed because of Jesus… we are changed because of Jesus. God is not content to just forgive us, He aims to transform us into the image of His Son. “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…” (Romans 8:29)

    When an angry, selfish, arrogant person comes to Christ and becomes peaceful, generous, and humble… the miracle of Jesus is at work. The ongoing work of God is to reveal His Son through us. May we present ourselves to Him as willing instruments, and may Christ be known in our world.

    “This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ in you.” Colossians 1:26-27 (The Message)

    Merry Christmas!!

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