It has occurred to me that I owe my dad an apology. In my youth my siblings and I urged our father to leave our mother after twenty-five years of marriage. Why you ask? Her depression and mental illness appeared to be negatively affecting him. But he rebuffed all of our arguments. One memory that stands out was his statement that "I could no more do that than cut off a part of my body."
Time has given me a different perspective on this. Over the past week the reality of being united as one flesh has gained new meaning. After thirty-two years of marriage we really are one!
Genesis 2:23-24; The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh' she shall be call 'woman' for she was taken out of man." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.Last week this reality came through a message by Stephen Davey about being a living sacrifice. The scripture:
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
This first verse is telling us how we should live for God. Our lives are motivated by gratitude to God for all he has given us.
"The only fitting response to the gifts that God has given to us is to give the gift of ourselves back to God. In fact, not only is this the motivation for Christian living, it is the secret to Christian victory." Stephen Davey, More Than Skin and Bones Part 1
Through this battle with cancer our desire is to be a witness to Christian victory! "Being a living sacrifice is not about getting more from God, but giving our all to God." Stephen Davey
It is total surrender to God and that requires me to forfeit control of my sacrifice -- even if that's part of myself!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Resilient
Resilient as defined by Merriam-Webster:
a : capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture
b : tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
The oft-repeated metaphor of God as our Father paints a portrait of God's love for us as protecting, providing, guiding, teaching. It's a love that is personal and intimate, tender and compassionate.
Your relationship to God as you Father can be the basis for restful living. Consider who your Father is. The fact that God is your Father is not just a lovely idea or a comforting thought. It has day-by-day, minute-by-minute practical effects in your life. He is your provider. He knows what you need and has already made arrangements to provide it. He's going to take care of you.
Jesus portrayed the Father-heart of God in showing us that God is attentive to us and watchful over us. He directed us to consider how the lilies grow. Effortlessly. Without strain or anxiety. They simply receive what they need...
If he created them so carefully, with resilience built in, surely his blueprint for us includes the ability to flourish under any circumstances. With God as our Father, we can live at peace. He will not lead us into disaster. He will not leave us on our own to wander into danger for which he has not planned our rescue. He always takes into account our frailty and puts his strength in its place. He carries us like a father carries his child. We are safe in his arms.
It's so comforting to see common threads through daily readings. Safe in the everlasting arms of our Father, God our protector, provider, who is tender, intimate and compassionate.
My desire for the quality of being resilient is contained in the second definition--adjust easily to misfortune (misfortune as defined by our culture). Being able to endure suffering with grace would be my new description of resilience.
We are equipped by God for everything we need for life and godliness. If we shift our focus from us to what God provides, would our view of life change?
Would it cause us to be more reflective and less judgmental?
It is this second thought that began percolating after an incident last Saturday. Backing out of a parking space a car came up behind and blew their horn. My interpretation was they were in a hurry and so I pulled back into the space only to watch them pull in to the spot across and behind me. I assumed they blew their horn to get me out of the way, but what if it was to warn me they were right there?
How many times do I presuppose an action rather than contemplating an alternative? It's something to ponder...
Quote of the Day: My silence may be misinterpreted but it can not be misquoted!
Scripture for the Day: 2 Peter 1:3-9, The Message
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
a : capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture
b : tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
From Praying the Promises of God, by Cheri Fuller and Jennifer Kennedy Dean
May 2, Resilient by DesignThe oft-repeated metaphor of God as our Father paints a portrait of God's love for us as protecting, providing, guiding, teaching. It's a love that is personal and intimate, tender and compassionate.
Your relationship to God as you Father can be the basis for restful living. Consider who your Father is. The fact that God is your Father is not just a lovely idea or a comforting thought. It has day-by-day, minute-by-minute practical effects in your life. He is your provider. He knows what you need and has already made arrangements to provide it. He's going to take care of you.
Jesus portrayed the Father-heart of God in showing us that God is attentive to us and watchful over us. He directed us to consider how the lilies grow. Effortlessly. Without strain or anxiety. They simply receive what they need...
If he created them so carefully, with resilience built in, surely his blueprint for us includes the ability to flourish under any circumstances. With God as our Father, we can live at peace. He will not lead us into disaster. He will not leave us on our own to wander into danger for which he has not planned our rescue. He always takes into account our frailty and puts his strength in its place. He carries us like a father carries his child. We are safe in his arms.
It's so comforting to see common threads through daily readings. Safe in the everlasting arms of our Father, God our protector, provider, who is tender, intimate and compassionate.
My desire for the quality of being resilient is contained in the second definition--adjust easily to misfortune (misfortune as defined by our culture). Being able to endure suffering with grace would be my new description of resilience.
We are equipped by God for everything we need for life and godliness. If we shift our focus from us to what God provides, would our view of life change?
Would it cause us to be more reflective and less judgmental?
It is this second thought that began percolating after an incident last Saturday. Backing out of a parking space a car came up behind and blew their horn. My interpretation was they were in a hurry and so I pulled back into the space only to watch them pull in to the spot across and behind me. I assumed they blew their horn to get me out of the way, but what if it was to warn me they were right there?
How many times do I presuppose an action rather than contemplating an alternative? It's something to ponder...
Quote of the Day: My silence may be misinterpreted but it can not be misquoted!
Scripture for the Day: 2 Peter 1:3-9, The Message
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9 So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Day!
Growing up in NY, May day was a special event at the private school my sister attended. There was a "carnival" type atmosphere, complete with May poles and other "artsy" stuff. It resonated with my sister's spirit while my own was more the routine, planner type. But as my neon green toenails show -- I'm trying to change that image and be more daring...
Psalm 46:1&2 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
It is easier to be more daring when you rely on the Lord to protect and guide you. The quote from yesterday's devotional is so true...
Love God, and he will dwell with you. Obey God, and he will reveal to you the truth of his deepest teachings. --Frederick William Robertson (English clergyman)
When we first went to the gastroenterologist about Vince's swallowing problem, the Lord had let each of us know that the problem was cancer. There's no explaining how we knew -- it was something the Lord revealed to us in our prayer time with Him. God has done that before -- the first time Vince had bladder cancer we knew before the biopsy had been sent off that it was cancer but that everything would be O.K. and it was.
Knowing and loving God who dwells within is only a part of my relationship with Him. Obedience to the Lord brings a deeper reliance which enables the "sense of knowing" even the hard things. In pondering these thoughts my view of the immensity of God grows even larger -- and yet the truth of his intimacy with just me makes my heart overflow!
Psalm 46:1&2 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
It is easier to be more daring when you rely on the Lord to protect and guide you. The quote from yesterday's devotional is so true...
Love God, and he will dwell with you. Obey God, and he will reveal to you the truth of his deepest teachings. --Frederick William Robertson (English clergyman)
When we first went to the gastroenterologist about Vince's swallowing problem, the Lord had let each of us know that the problem was cancer. There's no explaining how we knew -- it was something the Lord revealed to us in our prayer time with Him. God has done that before -- the first time Vince had bladder cancer we knew before the biopsy had been sent off that it was cancer but that everything would be O.K. and it was.
Knowing and loving God who dwells within is only a part of my relationship with Him. Obedience to the Lord brings a deeper reliance which enables the "sense of knowing" even the hard things. In pondering these thoughts my view of the immensity of God grows even larger -- and yet the truth of his intimacy with just me makes my heart overflow!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Perfect Peace
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
When all around me is too overwhelming, I escape into the everlasting arms. One of Vince's grandmother's (Mammie) favorite hymns was Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. It was a favorite at Alton Bay and one of the first hymns learned by heart.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’
Where do others find refuge?
Seeing Dr. McGaughey today and learning that Vince's cancer is treatable and the prognosis is good was such a relief as well as a blessing. The reality of the next two months has not quite sunk in yet. Through the appts we have over the next week all the information will be repeated and the stage of the cancer identified. Perhaps time will assist with the processing of all this information. That's my prayer.
When all around me is too overwhelming, I escape into the everlasting arms. One of Vince's grandmother's (Mammie) favorite hymns was Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. It was a favorite at Alton Bay and one of the first hymns learned by heart.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’
Where do others find refuge?
Seeing Dr. McGaughey today and learning that Vince's cancer is treatable and the prognosis is good was such a relief as well as a blessing. The reality of the next two months has not quite sunk in yet. Through the appts we have over the next week all the information will be repeated and the stage of the cancer identified. Perhaps time will assist with the processing of all this information. That's my prayer.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Strength
My life verse is Nehemiah 8:10, Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength. The theme of strength has been in several of the items I've read today.
It began with a devotional this morning about Gideon. God says to him "Go with the strength you have..." Some days that can be a moment by moment.
Whatever you have--surrendered for God's use--will do. In the end, Gideon wins a great victory. But the road to a big victory was paved with a whole lot of small.
...A silly riddle--the kind that comes on bubble gum wrappers--says, "What gets bigger the more you take away?" The answer is "a hole." But I think w might answer the question "faith." God wants the resources to be scarce so that no on will be confused about the source of the victory. When we learn how to answer a big call with small resources, we have a recipe for flourishing faith. The old, small Gideon had become the mighty hero. When our resources are diminishing, we must trust that the strength we have is the strength we need.
The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you. To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else. ---Bernadette Devlin
The above is from Praying the Promises of God by Cheri Fuller & Jennifer Kennedy Dean
While we were doing our Sunday school lesson this afternoon, more verses popped out --
Habakkuk 3:19The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
May your strength increase is how I wanted to close this posting so I googled it and found out it is a Jewish congratulation --
It began with a devotional this morning about Gideon. God says to him "Go with the strength you have..." Some days that can be a moment by moment.
Whatever you have--surrendered for God's use--will do. In the end, Gideon wins a great victory. But the road to a big victory was paved with a whole lot of small.
...A silly riddle--the kind that comes on bubble gum wrappers--says, "What gets bigger the more you take away?" The answer is "a hole." But I think w might answer the question "faith." God wants the resources to be scarce so that no on will be confused about the source of the victory. When we learn how to answer a big call with small resources, we have a recipe for flourishing faith. The old, small Gideon had become the mighty hero. When our resources are diminishing, we must trust that the strength we have is the strength we need.
The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you. To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else. ---Bernadette Devlin
The above is from Praying the Promises of God by Cheri Fuller & Jennifer Kennedy Dean
While we were doing our Sunday school lesson this afternoon, more verses popped out --
Habakkuk 3:19The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
May your strength increase is how I wanted to close this posting so I googled it and found out it is a Jewish congratulation --
| Yishar koḥakha or Yasher ko'akh | יִישַׁר כֹּחֲךָ | May your strength increase |
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Destined
I cried out, "I am slipping!"
But your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:18-19
Walking down the road with my BF prayer partner as her husband has cancer gave me skills that have helped set up Vince's caring bridge site and know the blessings of having others pray for you.
It amazes me how God prepares us for what is ahead. So when doubts assail my mind I remember all my blessings and that gives me renewed hope and cheer.
But your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:18-19
Walking down the road with my BF prayer partner as her husband has cancer gave me skills that have helped set up Vince's caring bridge site and know the blessings of having others pray for you.
It amazes me how God prepares us for what is ahead. So when doubts assail my mind I remember all my blessings and that gives me renewed hope and cheer.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Where does my help come from?
Hard to explain my feelings today so I'll use another quote from Limitless,
...If you find yourself struggling more than usual with a challenge, my recommended recovery plan is to lean with gratitude on those who care about you, be patient with your tender feelings, do your best to understand the realities versus the emotions at play, and put your faith into action. As hard as it may seem, move forward one step at a time, day by day, knowing that there will be valuable lessons learned and strength gained in each trial.
...There is a certain peace to be found in knowing that there is a master plan for your life and that your value, purpose, and destiny are not determined by what happens to you but by how you respond to it.
During those times when I feel helpless I lean on Psalm 121 -- which I memorized and pray it back to God...
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
...If you find yourself struggling more than usual with a challenge, my recommended recovery plan is to lean with gratitude on those who care about you, be patient with your tender feelings, do your best to understand the realities versus the emotions at play, and put your faith into action. As hard as it may seem, move forward one step at a time, day by day, knowing that there will be valuable lessons learned and strength gained in each trial.
...There is a certain peace to be found in knowing that there is a master plan for your life and that your value, purpose, and destiny are not determined by what happens to you but by how you respond to it.
During those times when I feel helpless I lean on Psalm 121 -- which I memorized and pray it back to God...
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
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