holding on

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Dana

When a brother in Christ recently introduced a new song in worship, it didn’t surprise me that Matt Redman wrote it. God has used this worship leader from England to bless the Body of Christ all over the world. Yesterday, a surprise gift came in the mail from a sister in Christ. It was the latest PASSION cd which contains this song entitled YOU NEVER LET GO:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won’t turn back; I know You are near.

CHORUS
And I will fear no evil, for my God is with me.
And if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go through the calm and through the storm.
Oh no, You never let go, in every high and every low.
Oh no, You never let go, Lord, you never let go of me.

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that hangs on,
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes,
We’ll live to know You here on the earth.

CHORUS

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on.
And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes,
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You.

CHORUS

What an anthem for the believer! I always have a hard time focusing while going through chemo. My mind gets fuzzy and I become slower in my thinking. Scientists have concluded that cancer chemotherapy affects the part of the brain that enables a person to do mathematics. This is bad news for a math teacher! We’ve all been taught to do our best and to not make excuses, but what if your best is not too good? At least I can say I have a better understanding of those with learning disabilities… and “Lord, forgive me for ever looking down on someone else’s weakness.”

But this song shifts the emphasis away from self to a better place – He is our hope! If He is with me, what then shall I fear? There is a light coming to the one that hangs on. Can I hang on? “But child, I am hanging on to you.”

A couple of weeks ago, an elder in the church where I grew up in Chattanooga told me how much he prayed for me. I thanked him and told him how humbling it was that so many people cared enough to pray. Then, with tears in his eyes, he shared his experience of going through heart surgery and being totally unable to make any decisions. “But, Dana, when my wife told me of all who were praying for me, I realized I didn’t have to be in control. I actually felt like God was holding me in His hands.”

This is the great truth we all must grasp: God holds on to us! I may be facing unbearable persecution; He is holding on. I may have lost a precious friend; He is holding on. I may be facing a terminal disease; He is holding on. Satan may be coming after me with full force; He is holding on. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

“Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me.”

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, 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 8:31-39

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grace and mercy

Posted on September 7, 2006 by Dana

I have a good friend in jail right now. He needs grace and mercy. He would tell you he does not deserve grace or mercy, but this is what he needs.

I needed to write two “thank you” notes this week and the addresses were Gramercy Park Circle and Gracewood Park Drive. I started crying. To tell you the truth I’ve not cried too much lately, but these tears came because I realized something: I need grace and mercy.

One afternoon six years ago, God gave me a Scripture. I know it was God, because I remember it so clearly and because of what has taken place. “My grace is sufficient for you…” That evening I learned I had cancer. The rest of the verse says: “…for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Who can understand God’s ways? Paul continued, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

When we realize we’ve been given grace and mercy there can be no boasting. I hope my friend gets out of jail this weekend. If he does, he’ll say it was by God’s grace and mercy. He won’t boast. He wants to be free from addictions that have nearly destroyed him. If he is weak in his own ability to overcome, he may find God is able to set him free.

I was addicted to tobacco once. I finally concluded there was no hope. Then a Chinese brother explained that when Jesus died, He took sin and my old self with Him. “For we know our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (see Rom 6:1-14) This revelation set me free. What mercy God has shown us through the sacrifice of His Son! What grace He offers! It almost sounds too good to be true… but that is what God asks of us – to believe it is true.

I want to thank so many who pray for me as I approach these next weeks. I don’t mind asking friends to pray that I have grace and mercy. Somehow God invites us to participate in His work through prayer. May we all trust His goodness and strength.

“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” Hebrews 11:32-34

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

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livestrong

Posted on August 31, 2006 by Dana

Lance Armstrong is on the cover of the latest issue of CURE magazine. Winner of seven consecutive Tour de France cycling events, Armstrong has been an able spokesman for survivors since completing aggressive treatment for testicular cancer in December of 1996. His book, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE, has encouraged thousands to never give up when facing adversity. 55 million LIIVESTRONG plastic bracelets have been sold with proceeds going to fight cancer. “Wherever I go”, he said recently, “I talk about cancer – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.” I am thankful for Lance Armstrong’s efforts and for his desire to wipe out cancer, but as I prepare for another bout with this disease, I often think of the obvious dilemma that even a cure won’t solve.

I’ve always been one of the youngest members of the Atlanta support group for multiple myeloma. As different treatments are discussed and exciting advancements are proclaimed, I can’t help but look at the some of the elderly members of the group and think, “But even if the cure is found, you’re going to die pretty soon.” And then I look at myself and think, “And you’re not going to escape death, either.” Of course we’d all like a cure for cancer, but even such an accomplishment will only be short-lived. We don’t hear too many people going around saying, “Wherever I go, I talk about death – the one thing that is going to affect all of us.”

I love the Lance Armstrong comeback story, but Lance will face God one day…. so will you… so will I. What will be most important then? The vast majority of the people that have lived on earth have been dead longer than they were alive. So what’s important now? Jim Elliot’s famous quote is timeless: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Jim wrote these words as a college student in 1949. He died while taking the Gospel to Ecuador in 1956.

I want to live strong, but what does that mean for the child of God? He’s given me this day. What do I do with it? I am facing a trial. Do I face it with courage or do I shrink in fear? Through God’s grace, I’ve been saved. Do I thank Him and spread the good news or do I take it for granted and keep Jesus to myself? The devil is trying to steal and destroy. Do I resist him and fight in faith or do I wither and doubt? Jesus beckons me to pick up my cross daily and follow Him. Do I listen and obey or do I ignore His voice?

If anyone should live strong, the Christian should. But do we? As we face struggles, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. While things are going well, we shouldn’t live like the unsaved on earth. Whether we die or whether Jesus returns, our days are numbered. He has Kingdom purposes for us; so live strong.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:10-13

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9/11

Posted on August 23, 2006 by Dana

I had a meeting with the oncologist last week and we decided to start chemo on September 11. I was thankful for full energy and good health this past summer, but recently my counts have been increasing rather quickly. So I hope the same approach we took last year will be effective again. As always, we cherish your prayers.

I saw the movie, “World Trade Center”, this past weekend. What a powerful reminder of an unforgettable day in our country’s history. It is a story of courage, faith, and sacrifice focusing on two Port Authority policemen who answered the call to go to the towers. Having just been in the Port Authority, the sights and sounds seemed all too familiar.

September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday. I was in New York City on Saturday, September 29 and witnessed some things I’ll never forget. I didn’t make it to Ground Zero, but I must have walked fifty blocks that afternoon. Every fire station had memorials erected. The pictures of the fallen from each station were placed on location and mourners continued to place flowers on the ground. Each memorial was hallowed ground. On more than one occasion that afternoon, a fire engine answered a call. As it pulled out of the garage onto the city street, everyone stood and cheered… and many cried.

In the movie, the sergeant asked for five volunteers to go with him to the top of the tower. Chills ran up and down my spine as these men re-enacted what actually took place five years ago. “I’ll go.” “I’m with you, Sarge.” “I’m coming”. “Here I am, send me!” Did they know what they were doing? Did hundreds of firemen and policemen know it would be their last rescue effort? “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

People argue today about the wars that rage. Some wonder whether there really is an enemy that wants to destroy our nation. While honest people may hold different opinions on the best options to take, it seems important to determine whether there is danger. Of greater curiosity are the questions of spiritual battles. Is there really an enemy who seeks to devour? Are we living in dangerous spiritual times? If there is a war, am I really in the fight?

Many have no doubt about such questions. Hearing the Lord of Hosts say, “Who will go?” some have answered courageously: “Here am I, send me!” The friends we visit in Jerusalem recently sent a picture of the four-wheel-drive Toyota we rode in last fall. It was burned inside and out – totally destroyed. They are not fighting Hezbolah; they are teaching Muslims about Jesus. Losing a brand new vehicle is an inconvenience; losing a soul is eternal. The devil does use violence for his benefit, but he uses more subtle tactics in our land – apathy, the pleasures of life, spiritual blindness. Maybe his greatest success is keeping us from realizing there is a war… and from remembering that time is short.

I couldn’t help but think of Jesus when I saw those brave men volunteer to enter the danger zone. That’s exactly what He did!

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’” (Hebrews 10:5-7)

“They are bound by sin! They have no chance, Father, yet You desire none perish, but all to have eternal life. Whatever the cost… here I am, send Me!” He’s still searching for His lost sheep. He asks others to follow Him into the battle. He knows the danger and the cost, yet He continues to beckon: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37)

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Jesus

Posted on August 16, 2006 by Dana

I finished the book, “Jesus”, at a friend’s house in New Jersey a few days ago. In a remarkable way, Walter Wangarin Jr. tells the story of Jesus through the voice of His mother and best friend, John. The book closes with John writing these words:

I’ve walked with him. I was his beloved and bore no other name but that. I span his earth time by thrice as many years as his. And I know he knew the Beginning as closely as did the Creator – and knew the Creator closely too, more intimately than any parent and child by blood connected, know each other. Well, then: I cannot lay my pen aside until I’ve given expression to the mystery inexpressible, the timelessness and the placelessness of the Lord.

In the beginning
Was the Word,
The Word was with God,
The Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God;
All things were made through him;
Without him was not anything made that was made.
In him was life.
This life was our light.
And this light still shines in the darkness.
Darkness has not devoured it!
The true light approached the world,
Then came into the world,
But the world refused to know him.
Nevertheless:
To all who did receive him,
To all who believed in his name,
He gave the power to become the children of God:
These have been born anothen:
They have been born
Not of a woman’s blood
Nor of the will of the flesh
Nor of the whim of a hotblooded man,
But of God.
The Word. The Word. The Word.
Became flesh and dwelt among us,
Full of grace and truth.
I have myself beheld his glory:
Glory as of the only Son of the Father.
And from his fullness have we all received
Grace
Heaped on a greater
Grace.
For the law was given through Moses.
Grace and truth?
These came to us through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son,
Residing in the bosom of the Father -
He has made him known.

Some think the first verses of the Gospel of John were the words of a hymn sung by early Christians. How many songs about the Savior have been written since? As I was finishing this book, my friend Steve, a computer genius, came into the room, picked up his guitar and started singing a song I had never heard before. The song expressed exactly what my heart was feeling at the time. Isn’t it funny how God works? The title of the song is “You Gave” by Jay Stocker:

Lord, I want to be pleasing to you
In everything I do.
And I want to love you more,
More than yesterday,
More than words can say,

‘Cause you gave your life;
You lived and died for me, for me.
You paid the price;
You sacrificed for me, for me.
And now the least that I can do
Is live my life for you.

So what’s the point of all the song-writing about Jesus from the first century until now? On our short trip, Susan and I went across the Hudson River to see a former student who lives in New York. She’s in her first year of work after college in a profession that has its ups and downs. The reason these songs about Jesus are so important is that they keep us centered on the things that matter – grace and truth. This world shows little grace and the devil hates truth. He is the master of confusion, deception, and discouragement. But Light pierces the darkness; Grace lifts our spirits; and Truth puts our feet on solid ground. Jesus would say the same thing to me that He would say to a young person in New York City or a computer whiz in New Jersey: “Keep your hope in Me! Your worth is not in your profession. If you are Mine, you are a child of God! That is who you are! This world may call you great one day and call you worthless the next. Your Father in Heaven does not treat His children that way. He sees you in Me and He calls you His own.”

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” I John 3:1-3

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