I went into the hospital last Tuesday hoping for a one night stay. Instead, I didn’t get out until Sunday afternoon, proving that even though I’m in need of healing, the Lord still wants me to learn to persevere. We did have a good report on the cancerous protein that had begun to rise in February. The March test showed that there is once again no traceable level. Since I have taken no chemo, the doctors don’t really have a firm explanation, but we praise God and remember we are in his Hands. Eventually, two million, one hundred ninety thousand stem cells were extracted from my bone marrow, enough for a future transplant if needed. (I hope those cells enjoy a long time of storage 
)
Christine was the kind nurse that spent about twenty-one hours with me in the process of collection. Her job is to watch the patient and a machine for three or four hour harvesting sessions. I’ve never met a more diligent nurse. She is a young lady with a daughter the age of our youngest child, Karlyn. She was kind, personable, and professional. She knew all about this incredible machine that took my blood and separated the different cells. I was so impressed with the way Christine did her job. She never fell asleep. Her job was to watch.
Besides enjoying a ‘little’ basketball while cooped up, I also saw a war movie that made me remember my trials are quite trivial compared to the trials of many. In this movie there was a little boy who was also given the job of watching. When he saw the enemy come over the horizon, he made the call that prepared an army to fight. So often this past week I was reminded of Jesus’ assignment to each of us: “Watch.”
Much could be written about each statement below. If it were just me saying it, I don’t know that I’d pay that much attention. But Jesus is the spokesman and His words in the Gospels and in Revelation must be heeded in our day and time. I’ll paraphrase a bit then give some Scriptures to read.
- Watch for false prophets and those who will deceive many. Remember you can tell the false prophet by his fruit.
- Watch for things to happen on earth that will cause much turmoil. But you do not need to be afraid.
- Watch to make sure you are doing what God has given you to do. Don’t be caught sleeping.
- Watch to make sure you are using the talents you have been given. Don’t bury yours.
- Watch that your love does not grow cold. The wickedness in the world will make this common.
- Watch a world become hostile to the Gospel. But trust the Holy Spirit to enable you to be a witness.
- Watch Jerusalem… a city that has often been a part of God’s plan.
- Watch that your hearts are not weighed down with worry and selfishness. Such people are not prepared.
- Watch for Me in need. When you serve the least of my brothers and sisters, you serve your Savior.
- Watch that you are not lukewarm. I would rather you be hot or cold.
Matthew 24 and 25
Mark 13
Luke 21
John 15
Revelation 2, 3, and 4
“What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” Mark13:37
Lord willing, I’ll fly out with a group to Namibia this coming Wednesday… so I won’t write for a while. Thanks for love and prayer.
Dana