plans

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Dana

I would not send this without permission, but I want to share a little about John and his family. You may remember that John lived with us the first months of his life as his mom Terri completed a jail sentence. Terri then came to live with us a while before moving to Monroe, where she has lived with her daughter, Blake, and John, who is now three years old. Her son Nick lives with his father Roger in Cobb County. We have a close relationship with this family. Terri is kind of like a daughter, John is kind of like a son, and Blake, Nick, and Roger are like extended family. God’s grace has been poured out on us all and His faithfulness has been evident day after day.

With God’s power and with encouragement from many brothers and sisters in Christ, Terri has been drug-free for over three years. We are proud of her, but Satan does not rest as he schemes to tempt and destroy. Nine months ago, Terri shared some news that floored us – she was pregnant. Needless to say, such a revelation turns many worlds upside down, but we have learned that God is able to walk with us through any storm – even storms of our own making. This past Friday, August 24, Leesa Elizabeth Turner came into the world weighing seven pounds seven ounces. Terri, Leesa, and John are staying with us a while as Terri recovers and John adjusts to not being the baby in the family.

It is the hope to overcome that keeps us looking to Jesus in our journey on this earth. Terri is learning that walking in the Light is the only way to freedom. She feels she is far from being one that people will point at saying, “You see that lady… God has done incredible things in her life. If you knew what she’s been through and the wrong paths she has taken and now see who she has become, you’d be amazed.” But I know God has done incredible things in Terri’s life and I know that He has plans we can’t even fathom. What do we do when we hear His heart spoken to us? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

There is the part God plays to bring about these plans and there is the part we play… which is basically to trust and obey. If we don’t believe with the type of faith that involves action, we can’t enter these plans. James used the familiar example of Abraham to teach this truth, but he followed with another example that may seem a little surprising. “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As a body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:21-26)

This is how Rahab entered the plans God had for her. When two Israelites came into her house she said, “We have heard of your God and our whole city is melting in fear. The Lord your God is the one true God. I know he has given you this land, so please show kindness to me and my family.” This woman, who worked as a prostitute in a wicked city, believed in God and this faith led her to risk her life to hide the spies and arrange their escape. Read Joshua 2 and notice her boldness. The king sent messengers to her house to search, but Rahab did not flinch. She had embraced a new God – the Lord of heaven and earth.

When Jericho was destroyed Joshua sent the same two spies to rescue Rahab and her family and they began to live among the Israelites. We agree this is a wonderful story of faith and courage as this family was rescued from sure death, but the plans of God were far from over. We’re not sure of all the details, but I’ll propose a scenario that concludes with what we do know. Rahab encountered a huge culture shock as she left an immoral occupation to live among God’s people. But she believed in God and she knew his ways were right so she separated herself from old thinking and old habits and embraced godly living. One day a nobleman from the tribe of Judah named Salmon noticed this non-Jewish lady. He became interested in her and eventually took her to be his wife. This couple was soon blessed with a son. Rahab was a good wife and a loving mother and she and Salmon raised the son they named Boaz to be a man of character who became well respected in his community. Boaz ended up marrying another non-Jewish lady named Ruth (you can read their story in the book called Ruth) and they had a son named Obed. And Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse was the father of David who became a great King of Israel. In this same family, many generations later, a child was born who was often called the Son of David. And this Son of David named Jesus died for our sins and all who call on his name shall be saved and his Father will say to his adopted children, “For I know the plans I have for you…”

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord… Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:8-9 & 15-17

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no fear

Posted on August 24, 2007 by Dana

“Let not your heart be troubled…” “Fear not little flock…” “Do not be anxious…” Jesus told his disciples over and over not to be afraid. The one chosen to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land was given the same instruction: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged…” (Joshua 1:9) Stated positively: “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6) “Be strong and very courageous…” (Joshua 1:7) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:9)

We come to God weak, weary, broken, and in great need. But God saves us, heals us, changes us, places us in his Son and calls us righteous. With gratitude we say, “Lord, where you lead, I will follow,” but then the enemies that paralyze (anxiety, worry, fear) bombard us without mercy. But God has created us to be ‘more than conquerors’ so He says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid.”

My youngest brother Brian lives in Zambia, a country one of his heroes, David Livingstone, explored in the 1800′s. It is funny to me that our dad Rex and Brian’s youngest son Bryson both share David Livingstone’s birthday, March 19. I am sure Livingstone had his faults, but he seemed to heed the word ‘fear not’ better than most as he explored the southern part of Africa, declaring the Gospel of Christ to numerous tribes and tongues. His journal recounts many narrow escapes. He was charged by a water buffalo, he was charged by a rhino, and he was attacked by a lion. The lion maimed his left arm for life, but he survived. On more than one occasion, he found himself surrounded by fierce warriors, but Livingstone always seemed to find a path to peaceful dialogue. He always shared the saving message of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the most dangerous enemy this missionary faced was the deadly “river fever” we now call malaria. After he died at age 60, two loyal African companions buried his heart in Africa then carried his body to the coast – an eight month journey that covered over 1000 miles. Livingstone’s body was shipped to England in 1874 where he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

So how do we heed the call to live courageously in our day? First, be careful not to judge or criticize others in their efforts to defeat fear. If you’ve never been charged by a water buffalo, you probably don’t know how you’ll react. If you’ve never stood at the brink of financial ruin, you probably don’t realize the gut-wrenching feelings that overwhelm. If you’ve never encountered a life-threatening disease, you probably don’t understand the emotions that are sure to surface. Only God’s grace allows us to overcome and his powerful Word encourages us.

Accompanying the command to be courageous, Joshua was told to firmly hold to the written Word of God. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) “Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path,” the Psalmist wrote. When available, David Livingstone took quinine or other concoctions to combat river fever. Often, though, he had no medicine save the one he found in Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” No matter how bad he felt, he tried to keep going with as positive an attitude as possible. Over a period of thirty-two years in Africa, without car or plane, he traveled nearly 40,000 miles.

Also accompanying the command to be courageous was a great promise: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) I’m convinced this is what gave Joshua the courage to be ‘more than a conqueror.’ “I am not alone. He is with me!” Isn’t this the promise Jesus gives us? He does not say, “Don’t be afraid… and by the way, you’re on your own.” He says, “I’m not leaving you alone. You do not need to worry or fear because I am with you! Believe this and live with great courage and strength!”

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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focus

Posted on August 17, 2007 by Dana

Tony Dungy, the head football coach of the Indianapolis Colts who won the last Super Bowl, recently wrote a book entitled QUIET STRENGTH. In this book Coach Dungy not only shares his experiences in football, but he shares his faith in Jesus Christ that has anchored him in times of great struggle, including the loss of his oldest son. As a coach, it was interesting to read of Coach Dungy’s commitment to certain key principles in his work. He felt if he and his staff could be unified in focusing on the most important things, everything else would work out. At the end of a championship season, Coach Dungy gave all glory to God.

Another coach of a different generation had a similar philosophy. Many would say John Wooden is the greatest coach in college basketball history. Wooden is renowned for his ‘pyramid of success’ which simply emphasized that matters of character are most important. “I used to tell my players to be more concerned with their character than their reputation, because character is what you really are while reputation is merely what others think you are.”

At the beginning of a school year, I always find myself determining my focus. What is my goal? What is more important than anything else? Where must I fix my eyes? Of course, such questions always lead to a simple but profound answer: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Tony Dungy wrote that if a coach is not fully committed to his principles, he will be knocked to and fro in professional sports. If you lose more games than you win or if you don’t make it to the playoffs or if you don’t measure up to the standards of others, the pressure to change will come from the press, the fans, and even your friends.

If Jesus had listened to his friend Peter, he wouldn’t have gone to Calvary. But Jesus kept his eyes on his Father. He knew his Father was with him and Jesus’ goal was to please him. “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” With this focus, Jesus knew how to handle the fickle opinions of men. “I do not accept praise from men…”

Is this not the way Jesus calls us to live? Knowing that faith is what pleases the Father, Jesus asked: “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” If we think we can’t live such a focused life, Jesus reminds his disciples that he is with us. Even better – He is in us! “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” “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.”

Thanks for continued prayer. We had a great summer of camp and I got to help with weddings in Hawaii, Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans. Every wedding I attend makes me think of the great future day when the joyous Father will present a beautiful Bride to his beloved Son. I’ve been enduring the same type of chemo for over a year now. Last week, Susan and I met with a specialist at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles that helped us in 2001. He was quite amazed I’ve been able to tolerate this chemo for so long. Most patients develop side effects that prevent continuation. He gave us some suggestions for the future and encouraged us to stay the course. While in LA, we got to see our friend Sherill Baker play a couple of games for the LA Sparks. Sherill was traded from New York to LA this summer. I think she likes the West Coast better than the East. Susan took Kinsey to Harding this week and Taylor started classes in Athens. With two in college, Karlyn will have to suffer as an only child in the house :-) . We thank God for so many blessings.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you…”
Dana

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graduation

Posted on May 25, 2007 by Dana

I guess I’ll take a break from writing for a while as we finish a school year and prepare for another summer of camps. I praise God for so many answered prayers. I thank you for praying for me this year and ask that you continue to pray for us through a busy summer.

In doctor discussions since last August, our daughter, Kinsey, has been a common topic. “No, I can’t do that doctor, you see our daughter is graduating this spring and I need to be there.” “Remember, there are some treatments I can’t do, our daughter, Kinsey, is graduating this year.” “Can I skip this day? I really want to be strong for our daughter’s graduation.” Well, last night, I lost one of my ‘really good’ excuses as Kinsey graduated. (Maybe now I can start talking about Karlyn’s upcoming graduation… in 2012.)

Seriously, I am so thankful I was able to join family and friends and a host of other families as the class of 2007 walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas. As 153 seniors walked down the aisle in graduation attire, I couldn’t help but think of how similar this picture is year after year. Of course it is special when one of your children is in the group, but those wide gowns and funny caps tend to make everyone look the same. Every year there are scholars in the group, athletes in the group, pranksters in the group, and what many would call just ‘ordinary people.’ Of course, few of us want to be known as just ‘ordinary people,’ but as the young, confident, good-looking members of the class of 2007 walked two by two, I thought: “They look like last year’s class… and the class of 2000… and the class of 1990… and the class of 1982 (my first year to teach.)”

So what makes the difference? What sets a graduate apart? What sets you and me apart? Are we all going through life thinking we’re unique when we’re really just the same as the next guy? In a way, we are all the same – we are each created in the image of God and each of us has sinned. But God sees differences. Kinsey was named female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2007, but that is not what sets her apart in our Heavenly Father’s eyes. Kinsey was given the honor of being named Miss GACS, but that is not why she is special in God’s sight. People who know Kinsey know how much she loves adventure. When people look at Kinsey, they see a beautiful girl with sparkling blue eyes, but there is something deeper that makes her far more beautiful than any eye can behold.

If there is anything a graduate (or you or I) can truly boast about, it is not what we’ve accomplished or what we think we’re going to accomplish, but rather what God has done and who He has given us. A long time ago, a young man who was not particularly handsome walked a road by Himself to make a difference in the world. Because of His obedience, God does see a difference in people on this earth. He sees some who are lost and need Him desperately, and He sees some who have put their faith in His Son, Jesus, and know of a purpose that goes beyond the ordinary.

“So, Kinsey, love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Continue to be a scholar; God has given you a good mind. Continue to be an athlete; God has given you a strong body. Continue to be an adventurer; God’s put that in your heart… and He wants you to temper it with wisdom. Guard your beauty as a treasure and save your heart for the man God has chosen for you. Know what is most beautiful, Kinsey – ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ This is what I saw as you walked down the aisle last night. This is what is special about a girl in a common cap and gown. You weren’t created for common purposes! You are a child of the King! And the King lives in the hearts of His children. So make room for Him every day. Become less and allow Jesus to become more. Live in Him as He lives in you. Be devoted to Him and He will give you everything you need. We love you.”

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” II Chronicles 16:9

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because

Posted on May 17, 2007 by Dana

Because she studied, she did well on the test. Because he practiced, he made his free throws in the game. Because she was diligent, she was given the raise. Because he was reliable, he was chosen for the position.

Caleb was one of two spies who came back from an assignment with a positive report. Ten spies (no one remembers their names) said it couldn’t be done. Joshua and Caleb proclaimed, “Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Such confidence produced discussion among their fellow Israelites of a stoning, but God intervened. “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me?” Moses then begged God not to destroy his faithless people. So they wandered in the wilderness forty years and only Joshua and Caleb got to enter the Promised Land.

As an old man, Caleb remembered something Moses had promised him: “The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 14:9) Moses had communicated to Caleb what the Lord had told him about the people’s lack of faith to enter Canaan. “No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendents will inherit it.” (Numbers 14:23-24)

Whether a forty-year-old or an eighty-five-year-old, Caleb was consumed with God. Knowing God made him a warrior. ‘God is love’ and ‘perfect love drives out fear.’ Because he followed wholeheartedly, he gained the prize.

“‘Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still just as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.’ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Japhunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Japhunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:10-14

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