sons

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Dana

sonsThe volleyball team that Taylor coaches lost in the championship game Saturday to close out an incredible season. John would often serve as a ball boy during warm-ups, wearing a team t-shirt Taylor gave him.

Taylor’s team played the semi-final match of the state tournament last Wednesday in their home gym. They won the fifth set of an exciting match before a large crowd to secure a spot in the finals for the first time in school history. As fans stormed the court I walked down and congratulated our son the coach. I then walked back up the bleachers and observed the celebration. Volleyball players were crying for joy; parents were slapping each other on the back; John and a bunch of little kids were playing ball on the court; and a host of people surrounded Taylor with handshakes and embraces.

Thirty minutes later, I would estimate that eighty percent of the fans remained in the gym. No one wanted to go home as an entire school community celebrated the accomplishment. Taylor looked up and noticed me sitting alone in the stands. I watched him slip through the crowd and make his way up the bleachers to join his dad. We had a few minutes alone to laugh and share some of the highlights of the night before several people spotted ‘Coach Davis’ and headed our way. It was quite a night.

I wonder if Jesus and his Father had such moments at the end of a day. As the once sick celebrated their healing and the blind marveled at their sight and the lame jumped for joy, I wonder if Jesus slipped away to enjoy a moment with his Father. Can’t you imagine the Father saying, “Great job!” to his Son after a day’s teaching about the Kingdom? We know Jesus found perfect security in the love of his Father. And this is the love God has for us! Let’s walk as Jesus did!

“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

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” I John 2:6

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platelets

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Dana

Not long ago I shared the plan to enter another multiple myeloma drug trial as my latest chemotherapy lost effectiveness. We’ve learned quite a bit about blood chemistry the past several years and we remain in continual awe of God’s handiwork in the human body.

In order to be accepted in this new trial my blood counts needed to be at a certain level, so I requested specific prayers in this regard. My platelet count has been the weakest since my stem cell transplant of 2009 and several friends told me they were going to pray for a turnaround. Thursday’s blood test revealed my platelet count to be higher (by quite a bit) than it has been in years. A few nurses chuckled as I told them people were praying, but one nurse looked at me seriously and said, “God answered those prayers.” There is really no other good explanation. My cancer counts have been rising and that usually results in depressed ‘good’ cells, so thank you for praying.

I survived the first round of this new treatment last week, arriving at the hospital at 7:00 am and departing at 9:00 pm. I hope this week’s session will not take as long.

Thirty minutes after I was seated Thursday, an attractive young lady of Indian descent sat in the chair across from me. I said ‘hello’ and she smiled and returned the greeting. I kept thinking there was something familiar about the girl, but I refrained from asking questions as my family often accuses me of being too nosy.

Susan arrived to sit with me a little while later and soon the young lady spoke. “Are you the Davises?” she asked. “Katie!” Susan exclaimed and we renewed an old friendship. Katie was adopted as a baby with her new family being fully aware that she had a rare blood condition that could not easily be treated in India. We met her through church fellowship when she was about six years old, but we had not seen these friends in many years. Katie is now twenty-four years old and must receive red blood cells every three weeks. She is otherwise healthy and beautiful inside and out. She shared news about all her family and reflected the Spirit of Christ as we spent the morning together.

We have a Father in Heaven who cannot only adjust blood cells in our bodies, but can place members of his Son’s body in the same room for mutual encouragement. And perhaps He wants us to realize that just as each member of the human body is of vital importance, so each member of the body of Christ is precious and valuable. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” I Corinthians 12:27

“For we are his workmanship…” Ephesians 2:10

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leap

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Dana

leapWe received another picture of our youngest child jumping into ‘devil’s pool’ atop Victoria Falls in Zambia. I am confident Karlyn did this only because she knew there was a natural rock at the end of the ledge that acted as a barrier preventing her from tumbling over the waterfall.

When she was three years old, Karlyn used to perch on the fifth step of the stairs in our house waiting for me to walk around the corner. Then she would dive out like a flying squirrel knowing that her Dad would catch her. (Perhaps if I had stepped aside one time she would not now be jumping into dangerous waters??)

Little Karlyn only made daring leaps from our staircase because she knew and trusted her father. Some say trusting God is like a ‘blind leap of faith,’ but I think we can keep our eyes open. When God says, “You can trust Me,” we must know there is a reality far stronger than any rock or earthly father.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego probably underwent all types of emotions as they approached the fiery furnace, but their statement to the king expressed what they knew about God and their willingness to die for the One they loved. They did not know exactly what would happen, but the three young men experienced the blessing of fellowship in the fire. “The righteous will live by faith.”

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” Daniel 3:16-18

“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.’” Daniel 3:26-28

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disdain

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Dana

There was another brother in the story of the son who left home and squandered his inheritance. This older brother was also ‘lost’ but did not know it. His rebellion surfaced when his father extended outlandish mercy on his rebellious little brother. Jesus was familiar with the disdain so many have toward God because He experienced similar reactions.

“He’s talking to a Samaritan woman.” “He’s healing on the Sabbath.” “He’s eating with sinners.” “He’s calling tax collectors to follow him.” “He’s praising the faith of Gentiles.” He’s telling parables about us!”

These observations led to brutal judgments: “He’s a false teacher.” “He’s out of his mind.” “He’s possessed by the devil.”

Though we marvel at how wrong such critics were, it is very easy to fall into similar traps. It is tempting to show disdain for the ‘self righteous’ brother in Jesus’ parable, but the father did not quit loving his older son. Instead, he left the party to reason with him and to ask him to join the celebration.

If we ever belittle mercy and compassion, we probably don’t grasp the love of the Father. The Father is always searching for the lost… whether they are far away or close at hand. He wants fellowship with every person. He wants none to perish, but all to have eternal life.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a chair receiving the chemotherapy I’ve been going through the past several months. A thin curtain separated me from an older man being treated for the same disease. I was not eavesdropping, but the man was very loud and I could not help but overhear his complaint to the nurse. “I went to my doctor back home and do you know what he wanted to talk to me about? He wanted to tell me about Jesus! I told him I didn’t want to hear about Jesus; I just wanted him to get rid of my cancer!”

This man was not pleased with his doctor back home, but I was not pleased with him. I wanted to yell a sarcastic comment from behind my curtain, but then thought better of it. Oh, to love like God loves…

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Romans 2:1-4

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rejoice

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Dana

How does God rejoice? Read Luke 15 and notice the joy described. Anyone who has ever lost something precious can relate to these parables. When the lost sheep is found, the owner does not keep it to himself: “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep!” When the valuable coin is found, the woman calls her friends together. “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost coin!” Jesus said these stories described Heaven. “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The Father cannot contain his joy… He celebrates!

Have you ever noticed a father beam when he talks about his child? The father of a junior high student shared something with me about his daughter, and I smiled as his love and joy could not be contained. But have you also noticed the anguish of a parent when a child rebels? There is nothing more heart-breaking than to witness the devastation that takes place when a son or a daughter rejects the love of the good parent.

The third parable in Luke 15 tells a story of the separation that came when the youngest of two sons chose to go his own way rather than stay in fellowship with his father. But his father continued to love and hope. And when the young man crushed by wrong choices walked a lonely road back home, his father could not contain his joy. He ran to his son and hugged him and kissed him. He gave him a robe and put a ring on his finger. He then planned a party. “Prepare the finest meal! Invite all friends and family! Let’s play music! Let’s dance! Let’s enjoy a feast! My son was dead but now he’s alive! My son was lost but now he’s found! Rejoice with me!”

Jesus was describing his Father… and no one knew his Father better than the Son. God loves to rejoice.

Some ask every now and then about my health, so I’ll give a little update. The chemo I’ve been taking for the last seven months has lost effectiveness. So I now am going through the normal tests to qualify for another trial. Probably in the next two weeks I will begin a different path of treatment. Susan and I appreciate your prayers for wisdom and good results. If you would like to be specific, you can pray for an increase in white blood cells, red blood cells, and especially platelets. We are both at peace regarding everything, but the unknowns tend to be a little annoying. Thanks for all your past and continued prayers for our whole family. God is faithful.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

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