Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hallelujah!
Great News!!!!!! Dan had another PET/CT scan done today in Southern California to see if the tumors have been responding to the chemotherapy. I brought a CD of the exam up to Lodi in order to send it along to the Stanford doctors. Bob and I viewed the PET/CT scan tonight and, we are happy to say, the improvement in Dan's liver size and the size of the tumors is VERY obvious! The chemo and our prayers are having a profound effect verifying the doctor's exam 2 weeks ago! We rejoice in what we saw. We did still see some tumor presence in the liver and pancreas but the metabolic activity is much much lower than it was before. It woud be inappropriate to get too specific about the intrepretation of the exam at this time. We need to have the Oncologists and Radiologists at Stanford take a look at this exam and compare it to the old ones to make a final determination next week. Be assured that the clinical picture matches the radiological picture which matches our belief that the LORD is mighty and working on behalf of our Dan. So prayer warriors THANK YOU SO MUCH - WE ARE WINNING THE BATTLE! Keep up the fight!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
8 month anniversary*
Thanks to all for your continual prayers for Dan. Tomorrow he gets his second PET/CT scan to check on the metabolic activity, presence and size of the tumors in his liver and pancreas. We are hoping and praying for a substantial decrease in size. I will post the results when available. Dan has now gone through 2 half-dose chemo treatments without spiking a neutropenic fever. That is a great blessing to all of us. Thank you Lord.
I have been staying with my mom and sister and they had two doctor’s visits recently and both doctors were absolutely amazed at my sister Leslie (she was run over by a bus eight months ago today*). “Miracle” they both said and I heartily agree and praise and thank my LORD God for His healing miracle, mercy and grace. May He bring full restoration to her and my mother, body and soul. (Isaiah 53)
I recently was made aware of a West Point cadet, Chris, who was in a serious accident and has been is a coma since early July. Please pray for him and his family.
The pastor’s challenge to us last Sunday was in the realm of idolatry. If you read the prophets of the Bible that subject is a frequent one. Isaiah 44 is such an excellent picture of God’s perspective on the idols of that time.
So what are our idols? Maybe not wood carved statues as in their day, but let us be honest before the Lord and ask Him to reveal those things we hold dearer in our hearts than Him, the One true God, the only One worthy of our worship and praise. ( Exodus 20 )
Have mercy on us Lord and lead us to repentance and true worship.
Isa 44:21-24
“Remember these things, O Jacob,
for you are my servant, O Israel.
I have made you, you are my servant;
O Israel, I will not forget you.
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this;
shout aloud, O earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.
“This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord,
who has made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself,
I have been staying with my mom and sister and they had two doctor’s visits recently and both doctors were absolutely amazed at my sister Leslie (she was run over by a bus eight months ago today*). “Miracle” they both said and I heartily agree and praise and thank my LORD God for His healing miracle, mercy and grace. May He bring full restoration to her and my mother, body and soul. (Isaiah 53)
I recently was made aware of a West Point cadet, Chris, who was in a serious accident and has been is a coma since early July. Please pray for him and his family.
The pastor’s challenge to us last Sunday was in the realm of idolatry. If you read the prophets of the Bible that subject is a frequent one. Isaiah 44 is such an excellent picture of God’s perspective on the idols of that time.
So what are our idols? Maybe not wood carved statues as in their day, but let us be honest before the Lord and ask Him to reveal those things we hold dearer in our hearts than Him, the One true God, the only One worthy of our worship and praise. ( Exodus 20 )
Have mercy on us Lord and lead us to repentance and true worship.
Isa 44:21-24
“Remember these things, O Jacob,
for you are my servant, O Israel.
I have made you, you are my servant;
O Israel, I will not forget you.
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this;
shout aloud, O earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.
“This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord,
who has made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself,
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A "Fall" Day
Today is a beautiful fall day in LA: blue skies, puffy white clouds, and crisp air. I just had lunch with Dan, Ashley and Jessica after attending church with them. Dan is tolerating his last chemotherapy treatment without any untoward effects for which we are very grateful. Football is on TV and a football enthusiast is coming over to watch the Sunday games with him - that’s cool. I am staying with my mom who is doing much better and my sister from up north is visiting also. My sister, who is recovering from being run over by a bus almost 8 months ago, is doing great! As we took a walk together yesterday I thanked God for bringing her from the brink of death to walking on her own. Many praises to the Lord for His mercy and healing.
Why do bad things happen? We live in a fallen world to be sure as the pastor was discussing this morning. But we can get stuck on the “why, me?” I thank my husband (of almost 24 years) for helping me answer that question in a conversation we had while we were dating. We were talking about the death of a friend of his, a gifted, young doctor who was involved in a helicopter transport accident of a sick baby. The entire crew was killed. The pilot was drunk. We discussed “why”. Bob so eloquently helped me see that “why” is not the question to ask, because there is no adequate answer this side of heaven. The question should be “in light of these events, what should our thoughts and actions be?”
From that time on, God has graciously helped me to accept difficult situations and not focus on the “why”. “Why” has not been part of my thoughts these last few months as we struggle with Dan’s illness. We are here and it does not matter how or why we got here, but we need to go forward and not get stuck looking back.
I heard an analogy that there is a good reason a car has a large front windshield and a small rear view mirror. You can envision what would happen on the freeway if we kept our focus on our rear view mirror and forgot to look ahead of us. Not to say you never look back in that little mirror, but only to adjust where you are going ahead. Sometimes it is easy to get stuck in the past events and the “whys” of life. God wants us to praise Him in the midst of our life, whatever our circumstances may be, and know He is using all our circumstances to form the character of our Lord Jesus in us and reveal His glory here on earth.
For those of you who want to hear the amazing perspective of a woman who broke her neck 40 years ago at the age of 16 and is living her life as a quadriplegic, please go to the following link and listen as she spoke last week to the student body at Biola University. Her name is Joni Earacksen Tada. (Bring Kleenex)
http://www.biola.edu/news/centennial%2Dchapels/
Verses to ponder:
Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Why do bad things happen? We live in a fallen world to be sure as the pastor was discussing this morning. But we can get stuck on the “why, me?” I thank my husband (of almost 24 years) for helping me answer that question in a conversation we had while we were dating. We were talking about the death of a friend of his, a gifted, young doctor who was involved in a helicopter transport accident of a sick baby. The entire crew was killed. The pilot was drunk. We discussed “why”. Bob so eloquently helped me see that “why” is not the question to ask, because there is no adequate answer this side of heaven. The question should be “in light of these events, what should our thoughts and actions be?”
From that time on, God has graciously helped me to accept difficult situations and not focus on the “why”. “Why” has not been part of my thoughts these last few months as we struggle with Dan’s illness. We are here and it does not matter how or why we got here, but we need to go forward and not get stuck looking back.
I heard an analogy that there is a good reason a car has a large front windshield and a small rear view mirror. You can envision what would happen on the freeway if we kept our focus on our rear view mirror and forgot to look ahead of us. Not to say you never look back in that little mirror, but only to adjust where you are going ahead. Sometimes it is easy to get stuck in the past events and the “whys” of life. God wants us to praise Him in the midst of our life, whatever our circumstances may be, and know He is using all our circumstances to form the character of our Lord Jesus in us and reveal His glory here on earth.
For those of you who want to hear the amazing perspective of a woman who broke her neck 40 years ago at the age of 16 and is living her life as a quadriplegic, please go to the following link and listen as she spoke last week to the student body at Biola University. Her name is Joni Earacksen Tada. (Bring Kleenex)
http://www.biola.edu/news/centennial%2Dchapels/
Verses to ponder:
Romans 5:1-8
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sept 18
Dan continues to do well at school and with his health, and we are settling in to a new “normal” in our family. It involves thanking God every day for every breath, every moment of life. It involves skipping the small stuff and focusing on what really matters in life – people, eternity, love, relationships and God. It takes but a moment to erase all the small stuff and it happens when you hear your loved one has cancer.
In the past when I have told someone with whom I am sharing the difference Jesus has made in my life, I often used the analogy that if I had a cure for cancer and did not share it, it would be a very cruel thing indeed. Now as a mother of a son who has cancer, I can’t imagine not doing all that is possible to find the best cure and treatment for him. If you told me today “I know and have what will heal Dan” I would be there in an instant.
So it is my earnest desire to share that the Word of God has the “cure” for the problem of sin. Some have found it and it is our great joy and serious responsibility to “give away the cure” to those who will listen, those who recognize themselves as sinners in need of God’s remedy for sin.
Cancer is a terrible disease to be sure as we are finding out firsthand, but it is not as terrible as the consequences of standing before a Holy God, filled with the “disease” of sin and not having received His cure. We all have this “cancer” called sin and we all have access to the only cure, the atoning sacrifice of the Jesus, God’s Messiah and Son. His amazing Love for us is so evident in His mercy, grace and forgiveness which all of us need so greatly.
In the past when I have told someone with whom I am sharing the difference Jesus has made in my life, I often used the analogy that if I had a cure for cancer and did not share it, it would be a very cruel thing indeed. Now as a mother of a son who has cancer, I can’t imagine not doing all that is possible to find the best cure and treatment for him. If you told me today “I know and have what will heal Dan” I would be there in an instant.
So it is my earnest desire to share that the Word of God has the “cure” for the problem of sin. Some have found it and it is our great joy and serious responsibility to “give away the cure” to those who will listen, those who recognize themselves as sinners in need of God’s remedy for sin.
Cancer is a terrible disease to be sure as we are finding out firsthand, but it is not as terrible as the consequences of standing before a Holy God, filled with the “disease” of sin and not having received His cure. We all have this “cancer” called sin and we all have access to the only cure, the atoning sacrifice of the Jesus, God’s Messiah and Son. His amazing Love for us is so evident in His mercy, grace and forgiveness which all of us need so greatly.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Sept 15
Hallelujah! We are so thankful that Dan's exam yesterday showed continued improvement in his condition. The doctor was palpating his liver deeply and could not detect the tumors as she had before nor did Dan have any tenderness. In two weeks Dan will have another PET/CT scan to reveal what his liver and pancreas look like on the inside. Labs are good; energy level good (in fact he drove all the way to Sunnyvale the night before). Chemo #4 ( again the half dose) went well and he and Ashley are on their way back to school as I write. The doctor plans to continue this course of treatment for at least two more treatments.
From there only the Lord knows. We watch and pray and are thankful for every step forward and every day of life.
Thursday I gathered with my Bible study for a celebration of "The Feast of Trumpets". Here are some thoughts from that day:
Wake Up!
On Wednesday evening the Feast of Trumpets began, commonly known as Rosh Hashanah, or the New Year. The trumpet blast is typically a call to wake up from our “slumber” and turn to the King of the Universe, our Creator, the LORD God. The tenth day after the Feast of Trumpets is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Traditionally the in-between days are a time to forgive, seek forgiveness and do good deeds (something we should be doing every day of every month). Before 70 A.D. on the Day of Atonement sacrifices were made in the Temple for the sins of the nation of Israel. How is atonement for sin made today?
Leviticus 17:11
'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'
Isaiah 53:10-12:
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
So let’s wake up and receive forgiveness and atonement the only way God has provided – through the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus the promised Messiah, and our names will be inscribed, not just for a year, but for eternity in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Speaking of “Books”:
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated, and the books were opened.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:22-27
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Time for us to "wake up" and know God, His love and His forgiveness. He calls us to be in a right relationship with Him and share this good news with all who will listen.
From there only the Lord knows. We watch and pray and are thankful for every step forward and every day of life.
Thursday I gathered with my Bible study for a celebration of "The Feast of Trumpets". Here are some thoughts from that day:
Wake Up!
On Wednesday evening the Feast of Trumpets began, commonly known as Rosh Hashanah, or the New Year. The trumpet blast is typically a call to wake up from our “slumber” and turn to the King of the Universe, our Creator, the LORD God. The tenth day after the Feast of Trumpets is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Traditionally the in-between days are a time to forgive, seek forgiveness and do good deeds (something we should be doing every day of every month). Before 70 A.D. on the Day of Atonement sacrifices were made in the Temple for the sins of the nation of Israel. How is atonement for sin made today?
Leviticus 17:11
'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.'
Isaiah 53:10-12:
Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
So let’s wake up and receive forgiveness and atonement the only way God has provided – through the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus the promised Messiah, and our names will be inscribed, not just for a year, but for eternity in the Lamb’s Book of Life!
Speaking of “Books”:
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.
Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated, and the books were opened.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:22-27
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Time for us to "wake up" and know God, His love and His forgiveness. He calls us to be in a right relationship with Him and share this good news with all who will listen.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Monday Sept 10
I am home at last! My mom is doing well at home and Dan's sore throat and runny nose has moved into the stuffy nose phase, but he is getting better. Hopefully by Friday he will be well enough to receive his chemotherapy treatment. This is treatment #4 which is the number of treatments the doctors initially laid out as a plan of action. Probably, Dan will have another PET/CT scan in a few weeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments and what to do next. This is a waiting time and a praying time. Thank you to all who are standing with us in this.
Today I again realized the importance of reading and meditating on God's Word as I read Hebrews 1-4. We Jews are known as "The People of the Book". How important it is to know "The Book"! The following are verses from the beginning of chapter 1 and the end of chapter 4 (It is good in between, too):
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 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.
I am so thankful He knows me and my weaknesses, and gives me the mercy and grace I need so much right now.
Today I again realized the importance of reading and meditating on God's Word as I read Hebrews 1-4. We Jews are known as "The People of the Book". How important it is to know "The Book"! The following are verses from the beginning of chapter 1 and the end of chapter 4 (It is good in between, too):
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 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.
I am so thankful He knows me and my weaknesses, and gives me the mercy and grace I need so much right now.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
September 6
Good evening dear friends and family, I am writing on "Gaga's" (my mom) computer in Altadena. I am here awaiting her arrival home Saturday morning from the hospital which will coincide with my cousin and her husband's arrival as well. Sunday morning I say goodbye and head home to Lodi. I miss my family and friends up there and it will be great to get home, but I have enjoyed seeing loved ones here too.
Most of all I am happy to report that Dan's neutropenic week is over and he did just fine! Thank you Lord and thank you for your prayers. He is getting a sore throat and runny nose, so please pray that it will not interfere with his ability to have his next treatment Friday teh 14th, next week. His energy level is good and he is enjoying his classes and friends. Hallelujah!
Today 1 Peter has encouraged me. it is hard to choose some verses to share, and I encourage you to take some time and read all 5 chapters. Here are a few from the first chapter:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self‑controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I do think that the time of His "revealing" may be soon. The prophets are worth studying in depth. Not only do they gives us undeniable evidence of God's hand in their writing through events that only He could predict and have already come true, but He points us to the present day, the gathering of nations against Israel and the abandonment of Truth for lies. Romans 1 speaks of our presnt condition.
May we all have ears to hear Him in these dark days.
Most of all I am happy to report that Dan's neutropenic week is over and he did just fine! Thank you Lord and thank you for your prayers. He is getting a sore throat and runny nose, so please pray that it will not interfere with his ability to have his next treatment Friday teh 14th, next week. His energy level is good and he is enjoying his classes and friends. Hallelujah!
Today 1 Peter has encouraged me. it is hard to choose some verses to share, and I encourage you to take some time and read all 5 chapters. Here are a few from the first chapter:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self‑controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I do think that the time of His "revealing" may be soon. The prophets are worth studying in depth. Not only do they gives us undeniable evidence of God's hand in their writing through events that only He could predict and have already come true, but He points us to the present day, the gathering of nations against Israel and the abandonment of Truth for lies. Romans 1 speaks of our presnt condition.
May we all have ears to hear Him in these dark days.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Sept. 4
No news! Which is great news! Dan must be doing well and we are thrilled he is at Biola, going to class, doing homework, hanging out with friends and handling the "yuckiness" of chemo. Praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Blessed is His Name, the Name above all Names, the Name of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew). I am thankful for the opportunities to share the faithfulness and unfailing love of the LORD our God with many I encounter. He truly is giving us grace and strength for every moment.
Psalm 33
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
September 2
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It's a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” “Lord, if it's you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
These were the verses that the pastor at Dan and Ashley's church focused on this morning. The Lord spoke many things to my heart through this picture of Jesus with His disciples. The disciples obediently were going in the boat in hard wind and waves and in the midst of their difficulties, Jesus revealed Himself to them -"Truly you are the Son of God."
My hope is that I will be faithful and obedient in all I do, say and think. I pray that all who know and love His Name will accurately and faithfully represent the LORD to the world around us.
I know you all want to hear that Dan is doing well! He is! He played drums this morning in worship and Ashley sang and I know many were blessed. Dan is about midway through his neutropenic time and everything is A-okay. We are full of gratitude to our LORD God.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It's a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” “Lord, if it's you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
These were the verses that the pastor at Dan and Ashley's church focused on this morning. The Lord spoke many things to my heart through this picture of Jesus with His disciples. The disciples obediently were going in the boat in hard wind and waves and in the midst of their difficulties, Jesus revealed Himself to them -"Truly you are the Son of God."
My hope is that I will be faithful and obedient in all I do, say and think. I pray that all who know and love His Name will accurately and faithfully represent the LORD to the world around us.
I know you all want to hear that Dan is doing well! He is! He played drums this morning in worship and Ashley sang and I know many were blessed. Dan is about midway through his neutropenic time and everything is A-okay. We are full of gratitude to our LORD God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)