Ridiculous Joy!

CAT scan done, awaiting results.

Reading Limitless, a devotional book by Nick Vijacic. I'm a book blogger for Tyndale House so I get to read books and review them. Heard this Aussie on my ride home one evening on Dr. Dobson's Family Talk who was born without arms or legs... Somewhere in the middle of the night I realized the picture on the front of one of my possible reads was Nick!

So I requested a copy for my Kindle and have been reading it since last Wednesday. It's quite a pithy little book. There are 50 devotionals -- I'm reading them like popping M&M's and highlighting like crazy. That's the one thing I LOVE about my Kindle -- when reading a book for review I can highlight the quotes that are keepers and then they are listed on the table of contents page.

Friday morning we went to get my car inspected at Speedy Auto on 21st Street and had breakfast across the street at IHOP. I brought my Kindle and shared the highlighted portions with Vince after we had eaten. It was a time of real encouragement for both of us as I read through those statements that had resonated with my spirit. That's where the title for today's entry comes from -- one of the funniest stories I read--and will share here:

We were in Africa. When we arrived at the airport, I grew bored waiting for our luggage, so I told my caregiver, Kyle, that I wanted to ride the carousel.
He looked at me like he was thinking, Dude, have you gone made as a cut snake?
But Kyle came through. He hoisted me up and plopped me next to a big Samsonite suitcase. Off I went with the rest of the bags and cases. I rode the carousel through the terminal, making like a statue wearing sunglasses and drawing shocked stares, pointed fingers, and nervous laughter from the other travelers. They weren't sure if I was (a) a real person or (b) the world's most handsome duffle bag.
Finally I rode the carousel up to the little door leading to the backroom loading area. There, I was greeted by some African baggage handlers, laughing and smiling at the crazy Aussie on a joy ride.
"God bless you!" they said, cheering me on.
The baggage workers understood that sometimes even grownups have to hitch a ride on a carousel. Youth isn't wasted on children. They enjoy every minute of it. You and I should do whatever we can to keep our youthful joy alive. If your life is too predictable, don't go postal. Take a ridiculous ride back to whatever it was that gave you joy as a child....
It's important to occasionally have a dose of ridiculous fun. It's about enjoying the ride, embracing the blessings, and always pushing not just to live but to enjoy your life to the fullest...       #15 Enjoy the Ride from Limitless by Nick Vijacic

Now for my take on this challenge -- Stephanie and I went for pedicures on Friday afternoon. Having just read this to Vince earlier in the day, when Lucy commented my pastel green was "typical" for me, I asked her what she would do -- she said neon green! I accepted her advice and went for some ridiculous fun for a change. Since the blog won't cooperate and add my pedicure picture you need to engage your imagination. I think Nick would approve. ;D


Today's scripture is Psalm 20
¹ May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!

God is our defender, protector, champion, trusted listener and faithful friend.   

April Thoughts

Life changes so quickly...
In March after a good physical report from his primary doctor about his diabetes and A1C, Vince had trouble swallowing. The gastroenterologist ordered an endoscopy which he had last Thursday. The doctor came in following the procedure and explained he had found a large mass at the bottom of the esophagus which in his opinion was cancerous. He had taken several biopsies which would be back on Monday. He ordered a CAT scan which will be done Tuesday morning at 7:30.

In so many ways this seems like "deja vu." In 1993, Vince had bladder cancer with a recurrence in 1996. We've been down the cancer road before. As before, the Lord gave us both peace before the doctor's appointment that it was cancer -- the test was just a confirmation.

Vince now has his own Caring Bridge site for posting the journey. If you would like to follow along with us, the link is here:
Caring Bridge Site

Blogging will definitely be a more common and necessary activity now. The Lord is showing Himself so magnificently in this new journey. I will post here scripture, lyrics to songs, whatever the Lord is using in our lives through all of this.

How could we travel this road without our intimate, personal, loving and caring God? It would not be possible.

Today's scripture: Psalm 18:1-6
I love you, Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

³ I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and I have been saved from my enemies.
⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
    the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

⁶ In my distress I called to the Lord;
    I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
    my cry came before him, into his ears.

What a way to start the day...

 

Before the Throne of God Above by Charles L Bancroft

This hymn was on the same CD as Still and the words were a balm to my soul. When I went and looked up the lyrics the hymn was written in 1863 and the second line of the first stanza said "perfect plea" not perfect peace. But before I saw the words I had been singing perfect peace... It fits our current situation so much as perfect peace so I hope the author won't mind the change.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect peace.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

 Listen to Hymn by Selah

Hymn: Still by Hillsong United

Hide me now
Under Your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father You are king over the flood
I will be still, know You are God

What a comfort to know in a time of waiting, the truth of Psalm 46:10,  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Wednesday, February 6th

The women at Norfolk Garden are doing a bible study by Beth Moore on the book of James - Mercy Triumphs. We are taking it slow -- as we meet on Weds evenings from 7-8. The first week is the video presentation, then the next week we do Days 1-3 and the following week we finish Days 4-5 and any other extra material that we have time to cover. Last night was our culmination of the first lesson. In the three weeks it took to digest all of the preliminary work of getting to know James, the brother of Jesus, his role in the Jerusalem church, his Jewishness as a believer, it makes the words on the page come to life.
On my ride from Newport News to Norfolk last night Chuck Swindoll was discussing the debate in the early church about Gentiles and circumcision from Galatians. The last day of our study concerned a similar passage from Acts with the leaders of the Jerusalem church and Paul. As Judy spoke about the difficulty of the Gentiles and Jewish Christians uniting and the cultural chasm that needed to be crossed, the line from Dr. Swindoll, "Peter you have ham on your breath!" came to mind and was shared with the ladies. It is so easy to become a legalist and deny the work of grace. The Bible has many gray areas which can be interpreted in different ways based upon our conscience and the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we make our sanctification a matter of denial of self rather than the liberty of Christ we cheapen the Cross of Christ.

Soulprint by Mark Batterson

WOW! I have read two of Mark Batterson's previous books, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase but my favorite has to be his new book, Soulprint. The book is broken into seven sections: the opening, five scenes and the closing. In order to make an easy transition from what is communicated to application to our own life, Mark uses the life of David from shepherd boy to warrior king with examples from his life as comparison. There are moments in our life that will define our destiny, but they must be contemplated and mulled over.

We are God's individual masterpiece that he has placed in a particular place and time to accomplish a dual purpose. First, to be conformed to the image of Christ and second, to fulfill the exquisite course God has planned for each of us. In each of the sections there were numerous statements and questions worth highlighting because they were thoughts to ponder and consider at further length. This book presents truths in ways that hit you between the eyes with their simplicity as well as their depth. Examples:
You are unlike anyone who has ever lived. But that uniqueness isn't a virtue. It's a responsibility.
It's hard to truly get to know others if you don't even know yourself.
Our strengths are hidden within our weaknesses. Our advantages are hidden within our disadvantages.
You never know what skill God will use for His purposes so don't underestimate the strangest of skills.
There are questions to be asked to discover our true identity and destiny. At the end of the book there are questions for discussion and reflection based upon each of the sections of the book as well as group activities.

Since a new year brings with it introspection and the desire to move ahead, this book would be an excellent springboard to examine what has gone before and the path ahead. It is a quest to discover who you really are and what God has destined you to become.

Sunny Saturday with Stephanie

It has turned out to be an incredible day -- Stephanie got her hair cut, a waxing, picked up an application for Office Depot, found two protective cases for her ipod, a purple yoga mat, LOVE artwork (1 Corinthians 13) for her bedroom, one-day passes for the bus and birthday dinner at Logan's.
Stephanie's bday dinner was a grilled lobster tail with a half rack of ribs. Everything was fine until she got to the ribs and they were dried out and burnt. When we told the waitress this was part of her bday dinner -- she took them back and came back with a full rack which was tender and meaty.
The waitress wanted to know what birthday it was and when Steph said 31 she didn't believe her -- said she would have thought 21! Then she asked how old I was and when I said 60 she asked to see my ID! Which I produced and let her see after telling her my bday -- 10/15/52. She said we had some great genes...

Logan's Crew giving a birthday Yee-Haw and Steph's new hairdo.