Tag: trust God

Posted on in 2013 Posts

Yes, I Have Cancer. Please Don’t Feel Sorry For Me.

God's Promise to Me!
God’s Promise to Me!

I appreciate all of the prayers, well wishes, encouraging notes, fighting cancer tips along with some extra hugs from those I see on a regular basis since revealing my diagnosis of breast cancer last week.  My hope is that as I walk down this path; God might be glorified.  I don’t want your pity or please don’t avoid me because you don’t know what to say.  It’s OK.  I started 2013 with two things on my mind.  God was telling me to pray harder—even to the point of putting on the full armor of God in my prayer life.  The second thing was my prayer telling God I wanted to go deeper with Him.  In my life experience, I rarely grow in my faith when life is easy and all is well.   It has been the times when I suffered the most that I drew closer to God and found His Faithfulness in new and different ways.  Times like when I was wondering if my daughter was going to live or die just after birth, or when I went through my divorce or said goodbye to my son as he left for Afghanistan for a year life were not fun.  However, God used those situations to build a faith in me that is deeper and stronger than it would be had I not gone through those circumstances.  I can actually praise Him today for my suffering!

Someone was saying yesterday that they wished God would do something miraculous in their life so that they too could see that He was real.  I thought about that and looking at that person’s life, I can see many times that God has intervened.  He saved them from a suicide attempt, protected them from a horrible accident when they tested God, and gave them loving parents that will help guide and direct them towards God in their life journey!  Those are just a few I know but I am sure if that person asks God to reveal the times where He was at work in their lives, guiding and protecting them, He would show them more.

You see, it all depends on where our focus is.  If we are going through life in our own strength or doubting God, His works will not be as evident to us because we’re not truly seeking Him.  However, if we seek God with our whole heart, He is faithful to be there and not leave us doubting.  The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV) …from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. There might be things in your past that you need to rebuke and ask God to remove from your mind.  Perhaps you may have dabbled in darkness and allowed other things to penetrate your thinking that were not of God.  Tell it to get behind you.  As a child of the King, nothing of darkness has any more power than what we give it.  If we tell it to be gone in Jesus Name, it has to go.  It’s a simple as that.

So here I go again.  It’s another test or should I say faith lesson in trusting God.  I am only human and know that there will be times when I am not happy about this valley I’m being taken through.  However, my prayer is that through it all God might be magnified.  I promise to be watching and waiting for God’s intervention throughout this process and will be praising Him as I see His Hand at work in my situation.  He has already taught me He will be faithful, I need not doubt.  But when my body is tired and I struggle to find the praise, I will remind myself of His Goodness.   God has given me a voice to tell others about Him and I intend to do just that.   Psalm 105:1-4 (NKJV) explains my thoughts for the upcoming months more eloquently than I could ever do:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!

Are you looking for God in your life struggles?  If you seek Him with all your heart, I promise you, He is there if your trust is in Him.  The night before I went to the surgeon last week, God spoke to me in a sunset.  It was a beautiful, beautiful sunset.  I didn’t know what the next day was bringing and there was concern on my mind for my prognosis.  When I saw the beautiful sunset, I felt that God was saying, “It’s going to be OK”.  I can’t really tell you why, but other than I found peace in it because my mind was set on God.  I know He loves me and is watching after me.  Why wouldn’t He calm me with a sky that told me everything was going to be alright?  The next day when I went to the surgeon, she said if I have to have cancer, I have the best case scenario that I could have.  They feel the prognosis is good as long as nothing else appears in future tests.  In my mind, either way I win.  If I lose the battle with cancer and die, I’m in heaven free of worries worshipping my Savior all day long.  If I survive the battle, I get more time with my family, friends and ministry here to spread God’s Good News to a struggling world.  So don’t feel sorry for me.  I’m at peace.  I hope that you too might find peace in your struggles.  Seek God with all your heart.  Praise Him along the way.  Most importantly watch for Him in your circumstances!  He is faithful to meet you where you are when your heart is set on Him.  Have a great week, be blessed and don’t forget to be a blessing!

Posted on in 2012 Posts

Come to Me All You Who are Weary…Love,God

This week we have had a young cardinal or what I call red bird sitting on our window sills chirping over and over.  At first I thought it was some prehistoric bird lost from the past, but after taking a closer look I know it is just a younger cardinal.  He’s kind of ugly with his big bulging eyes and feathers that are not a pretty red color yet as they should be.  As he and I sat there looking at each other one afternoon, I wondered, what is he doing?  Doesn’t he know I’m human and could be a threat to him if I were a bad human?  Knowing he was a baby though, I realized he hasn’t figured all of that out yet.  He’s just being curious as he discovers this new world around him.  It could be that he didn’t actually see me at all and was just talking to his reflection in the window.  I will never know.

Nonetheless, He kept chirping over and over, “Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep,”…most of the day long.  Male cardinals are very territorial and they use song to establish their territory.  I suspect he’s a bit inexperienced with how all of that works.  He’s going to ensure his territory is his by driving anyone who tries to get close, crazy with his continuous, repetitive song!  Nonetheless, as he stares at me through the window with those beady eyes, I want to run and rescue him as he seems to be having such a hard time growing up and figuring out how to be an adult.

I’m sure we wear God out at times too when we, “Cheep, cheep, cheep,” in perhaps a whining sort of way as we grow disillusioned by trying to always do the right thing and nothing seems to go our way.   However, as we learn to trust God and grow to understand His voice, our cheep, cheep, cheeps turn into beautiful music.  As we take one day at a time exploring, reading, praying, seeking and most of all waiting, God shows us the beautiful person He created us to be.

The one thing about it all is that God doesn’t always rush to our rescue when we are going through tough times.  It’s as though He’s on the other side of the window, hearing our cries but knowing we need time to figure it out so to speak.  He knows that in order for it to be our faith and His strength working in our lives, we may have to suffer a while, probably whine a little, and go through His refining fires.  When He is done, we can then stand back and watch as God transforms our beings into something awesome!  I’m sure we look just as pathetic as the bird at my window, but it doesn’t make Him jump in and take over.  He gives us grace and waits for the time when we are ready to grow.  He watches patiently from the other side of the window. Just as beautiful as the young bird will be when his feathers are all in place and he has grown, so will your life be when you’ve passed through these trials onto the other side.

As I look around and see friends and loved ones struggling with relationships, others with their health, grief, some with depression, job loss, and even just simply unanswered prayer, I want to help them.  I want to make it all better. But I have learned that if I jump in and fix it (if I really could), it will never be fixed like it will be if they would just trust God and hang in there for the long haul.  It kills me to watch them suffering.  The one thing I know is, “God will meet them where their need is.  Perhaps not in their time and probably not how they are expecting Him to do so.  But I believe He will be faithful to those who trust in Him.  I can say this because I have been there and witnessed it all first-hand in my own life.  I can also say that it was in those dark, hopeless years of my life that I truly understood what it is to trust.  I learned not to question the works of my Master in my life…even when I thought the pain was never going to end.

My heart is heavy this week for those going through tough times.  To my loved ones…I can see your fear, your unrest, your pain, and I even understand your questions as to why God isn’t intervening in your situation. I’ve actually asked them myself on your behalf and on mine at times.  I don’t understand why when you and others are praying, praying, praying as the bird cheep, cheep, cheeps, nothing seems to change.  Maybe God is just asking for your trust.  Maybe He just needs for you to let go of everything and accept that which He has given you for this time.  Just learn to just be content in your situation so to speak.  I know that God’s way is where we all want to be.  If God is quiet, there is a reason.  He doesn’t make mistakes.

Even though I suspect the cardinal doesn’t see me in here on the other side of the window, I see him.  As a matter of fact, I have even prayed for him to find his way as he looks so pathetic to me with those big beady eyes and beak that don’t fit his head.  So if you’re standing on the other side of the window crying out to God but can’t see Him in your life right now, know that He is there.  He is watching and waiting for the perfect time to reveal Himself in your situation.  He is watching as you grow to know and understand Him more intimately.  He loves you so much!

I would like to close with some words from Moses.  Moses was one who knew suffering first hand but he also knew God intimately.  He was even allowed to see God at one point. (Exodus 33:21-23)  His words in Exodus 14:13-14 say this:  …“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

He is God.  We are not.  May He reign in your life no matter what your circumstances may be.

Posted on in 2012 Posts

Slow Down, Seek God, Share His Goodness, Trust

I am having a great time watching all of the nature in my yard this year.  As you all may remember, there were robins early this spring that had babies right outside my office window, allowing me a bird’s eye view of their daily lives.  Once they left, I decided to get a hummingbird feeder.  It totally fascinates me to watch such tiny creatures flit around in their world.  After some time of just ants and wasps eating the nectar I lovingly prepared for the hummingbirds, they finally started coming!

These birds are fascinating.  They travel so quickly that you have to really pay attention to get to actually see one in detail.  Even though there is always plenty to go around, if one is on the feeder, another may be seen dive-bombing it so that they can come get a drink!  Jim was able to get a few photos a couple of weeks ago of them at the feeder.  It’s nice that he gets excited about the birds too.  I think I’ve figured out that if the animals are on the outside of the house he likes them way better!

That’s all out the front window.  As I sit on the back side of our house in my office from day-to-day, I’ve been getting a different show.  Last week a little bird started coming up to Lucy’s (the robin) old nest and meticulously taking pieces of grass off of it.  I watched as it returned several times, plucking a piece off the nest and flying away.  I thought he or she must be rushing off to build their own nest somewhere unknown to me.  It seemed to be a little like cheating to take from someone else’s masterpiece rather than finding its own; but nonetheless, it was being resourceful!

After several times of taking a piece here and there, the little bird jumped into the nest and wiggled her belly around as though trying it out for size.  She was much smaller though and could barely see over the edge!When Lucy was building that nest, she did the same thing to mold it to her belly and ensure the fit was just right.  I had to laugh because I thought this poor little bird had been building her nest all day but was tired.  She was probably thinking, “Maybe instead of dismantling the nest already built, maybe she could make it work to fit her and she wouldn’t have to work so hard reinventing the wheel so to speak.”  A little later, she came back with two more birds to show them what she was thinking.  I don’t think they agreed though and soon she was back to plucking pieces from the nest once again.

I am amused at the different personalities of the different birds.  The hummingbird has way more energy and enthusiasm for life than one can fathom while the wren appeared to be looking for an easy way out.  The hummingbird flits from one flower to flower to flower and then to a feeder and buzzzzz, it’s off again all within about fifteen seconds!  Unlike the hummingbird that clears everyone out of the way so they can eat, the wren appeared to enjoy her friends coming alongside and hearing their opinions.

Do these birds bring any humans to mind that you might know?  I’m reminded of the way that we often seek God in our lives while watching these creatures outside my windows.  The hummingbird is trying a little flower here, another over there.  Eventually, it lands on the feeder where it finally relaxes a bit and sucks in the refreshing nutrients prepared especially for it.  The wren on the other hand, appeared to have to have peer approval for everything and was looking for an easier way without all of the dedication and sacrifice required to get to the final reward.  Can you imagine how history might be rewritten if Noah or even Jesus thought this way?

Many of us flit from one thing to another too don’t we?  I’ve seen some who change churches as often as they do underwear.  They get all excited about a program at one church and then before they finish it to completion, something else even more inviting catches their eye and they’re off in another direction.  In the process, there is never really one place they stop and rejuvenate—always on the go, never firmly planted, never really a part of anything but hold a little piece of everything.  No one to ever hold them truly accountable.

On the other hand, there are some who have actually become so comfortable with where they are at, if anyone else comes to try to join them, they are closed off and literally chase them off unwilling to share what God has done for them.  Or perhaps you know some like the wren who want to go behind those who have worked hard and just live off what others have left behind…never rising above mediocrity in their spiritual walks with God.  These types usually seek man and his advice over what God tells them because they’ve never really put the work into developing a trusting relationship with God on their own.  They attend church every Sunday but don’t read their Bible in between and spend time independently in prayer. They don’t really hear God because all of the other voices they are consulting confuse their thinking and perception.

Being a Christian requires us to be firmly planted in our faith.  We can’t be a Christian because our parents were or because we hang out with others who are.  We need to put the hard work into building a nest of faith for ourselves so to speak.  It’s nice to learn from others who have gone before us, discover what worked for them; but ultimately, our relationship with God is personal.  It’s unique between us individually and Him.

It’s OK to flit from thing to thing while you are searching for that relationship with God as long as once you find Him, you stay put and allow Him to feed you the Living Waters that only He can provide.  As a mature Christian, He will ask you to be generous in sharing God’s Goodness you have found in Him.  He doesn’t want us sitting at the feeder getting fat so to speak after we’ve been filled.  He wants us to share what we know to be life-giving and fully satisfying to our soul.  No longer do we need to consult everyone we know before stepping out when God asks us to do something.  If we are truly following God’s leading, He will give us the energy, supplies and know-how to accomplish any task He puts before us.  Although sometimes it is helpful to hear wisdom from Godly friends, in the end we need to listen for God alone.

Are you a hummingbird or wren at heart?  Did some of my words cause you to stop and reflect on the path your Christian walk is taking?  Maybe life for you just needs to slow down a bit, taking time to sip from the cup of that which only God can give.  Perhaps God is saying, “Woooah, wait a minute!  You don’t need ten opinions to whether you should do what you know I am calling you to do!  Just follow Me and trust that you will have everything you need!”  For you see, when we trust and work hard in our relationships, we are rewarded in unimaginable ways.  No one can do it for you though…it’s all up to you.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)  For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.