November 13th, 2009
Cells Calming Down (Specifics of Treatment)
This is the end of the fifth week after surgery. My fluid levels are finally dwindling to dust in my last tube so it looks like it will come out on Monday. I am not sure if they will start radiation until after Thanksgiving or not. I am leaving that in the Lord’s hands. I get stronger every week and am looking forward to being able to take a shower, practice piano and do a bit more around the house. They still want me to keep my arms quiet for awhile so fluid doesn’t build up without the tubes in. This has been a long hard lesson in patience!!!
Before the Face of God (Personal Meditations)
“I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)
“A person can’t sustain life on bread alone, but he must live on every word that comes from God’s mouth” (Matthew 4:4)
“Every trial is both a test from God and a temptation from Satan. Here (referring to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness) both perspectives are brought together as the Spirit and the devil appear in the event.. Each trial is a positive opportunity but can also be a negative danger. Temptation is not sin. Jesus had to think the thoughts suggested by Satan in order to reject them. WHEN ONE MENTALLY ACQUIESCES IN THOSE THOUGHTS HE SINS. TEMPTATIONS MAY BE OVERCOME BY THE USE OF SPECIFIC BIBLICAL TRUTHS THAT SET FORTH GOD’S ALTERNATIVES.” (Jay Adams)
“So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed because you would not obey the Lord your god by keeping His commandments and His statutes which he commanded you. They shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever BECAUSE YOU DID NOT SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH JOY AND A GLAD HEART FOR THE ABUNDANCE OF ALL THINGS.” ( Deuteronomy 28: 45-48)
“You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3)
“You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil (Proverbs 19:23)
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
“In EVERYTHING give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“Keep in mind that on this earth nothing is truly perfect. We seek divine beauty within the limitations of our present existence. To deny beauty its rightful place of significance, however, would be to cheat ourselves and our families of great blessing and joy. A man who does not desire or appreciate God’s beauty is not truly living, even though he is alive. To be so consumed by the vain and fleeting demands of this passing life that no time or thought is given over to contemplating and living out that which is true, noble, pure, and beautiful, is more than a shame; it is a tragic waste.
In this life, true love can only be known amid the constant threat of loneliness and eventual loss. True peace is comprehended only by faith. Beauty is apprehended alongside much chaos. Yet such things make life more than livable; they make life enjoyable. ( Benjamin K. Wikner: Raising Children in Christ-Centered Truth, Love and Beauty)
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” E. B. White
Early conclusions:
*Abundant Life is found only in knowing, enjoying and serving the One True God
*I have access to this life only through the saving power of Jesus Christ
*I can only comprehend this life by the Word of God and His Spirit
*God gives me many things to enjoy here on earth which I need to acknowledge and be thankful for but they are fleeting and should be signposts back to Him
*Abundant life is something I must purposefully pursue
*I can’t rightly interpret God by my perceptions of my circumstances but must interpret my circumstances through what God reveals about reality in His Word.
*Trials can be a gateway to more abundant living if they lead me back to God and His Word as my only source of sustenance.
*God is serious about Joy!
Please Join Me in Praise, Thanksgiving and Supplication
*Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow, for steady renewing of strength, for salvation and sustenance by His Word and His Power
*Thank God for His daily provision of help through Tim, Margaret, and many friends
*Thank God for always bringing me encouragement when I am tempted to despair. Thank you to all my faithful friends!
*Please pray that I will face radiation with courage and JOY
*Please pray for strength to enjoy Joel’s homecoming and our trip to Napa California for Thanksgiving
*Please pray that we will pursue Truth, Beauty and Goodness and be full of God’s JOY in our household
*Please pray that God will use us to spread His good news to those who don’t know it yet
*Please pray that God would grant me many more years on the earth and that I will be of service to Him in building His Kingdom
*Please pray that Tim and I will not lose heart in the midst of our trial. but continue to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to pursue unity and beauty in our marriage.
Cells Calming Down (Specifics of Treatment)
This is the end of the fifth week after surgery. My fluid levels are finally dwindling to dust in my last tube so it looks like it will come out on Monday. I am not sure if they will start radiation until after Thanksgiving or not. I am leaving that in the Lord’s hands. I get stronger every week and am looking forward to being able to take a shower, practice piano and do a bit more around the house. They still want me to keep my arms quiet for awhile so fluid doesn’t build up without the tubes in. This has been a long hard lesson in patience!!!
Before the Face of God (Personal Meditations)
“I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)
“A person can’t sustain life on bread alone, but he must live on every word that comes from God’s mouth” (Matthew 4:4)
“Every trial is both a test from God and a temptation from Satan. Here (referring to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness) both perspectives are brought together as the Spirit and the devil appear in the event.. Each trial is a positive opportunity but can also be a negative danger. Temptation is not sin. Jesus had to think the thoughts suggested by Satan in order to reject them. WHEN ONE MENTALLY ACQUIESCES IN THOSE THOUGHTS HE SINS. TEMPTATIONS MAY BE OVERCOME BY THE USE OF SPECIFIC BIBLICAL TRUTHS THAT SET FORTH GOD’S ALTERNATIVES.” (Jay Adams)
“So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed because you would not obey the Lord your god by keeping His commandments and His statutes which he commanded you. They shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever BECAUSE YOU DID NOT SERVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH JOY AND A GLAD HEART FOR THE ABUNDANCE OF ALL THINGS.” ( Deuteronomy 28: 45-48)
“You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3)
“You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6)
“The fear of the Lord leads to life and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil (Proverbs 19:23)
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
“In EVERYTHING give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
“Keep in mind that on this earth nothing is truly perfect. We seek divine beauty within the limitations of our present existence. To deny beauty its rightful place of significance, however, would be to cheat ourselves and our families of great blessing and joy. A man who does not desire or appreciate God’s beauty is not truly living, even though he is alive. To be so consumed by the vain and fleeting demands of this passing life that no time or thought is given over to contemplating and living out that which is true, noble, pure, and beautiful, is more than a shame; it is a tragic waste.
In this life, true love can only be known amid the constant threat of loneliness and eventual loss. True peace is comprehended only by faith. Beauty is apprehended alongside much chaos. Yet such things make life more than livable; they make life enjoyable. ( Benjamin K. Wikner: Raising Children in Christ-Centered Truth, Love and Beauty)
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” E. B. White
Early conclusions:
*Abundant Life is found only in knowing, enjoying and serving the One True God
*I have access to this life only through the saving power of Jesus Christ
*I can only comprehend this life by the Word of God and His Spirit
*God gives me many things to enjoy here on earth which I need to acknowledge and be thankful for but they are fleeting and should be signposts back to Him
*Abundant life is something I must purposefully pursue
*I can’t rightly interpret God by my perceptions of my circumstances but must interpret my circumstances through what God reveals about reality in His Word.
*Trials can be a gateway to more abundant living if they lead me back to God and His Word as my only source of sustenance.
*God is serious about Joy!
Please Join Me in Praise, Thanksgiving and Supplication
*Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow, for steady renewing of strength, for salvation and sustenance by His Word and His Power
*Thank God for His daily provision of help through Tim, Margaret, and many friends
*Thank God for always bringing me encouragement when I am tempted to despair. Thank you to all my faithful friends!
*Please pray that I will face radiation with courage and JOY
*Please pray for strength to enjoy Joel’s homecoming and our trip to Napa California for Thanksgiving
*Please pray that we will pursue Truth, Beauty and Goodness and be full of God’s JOY in our household
*Please pray that God will use us to spread His good news to those who don’t know it yet
*Please pray that God would grant me many more years on the earth and that I will be of service to Him in building His Kingdom
*Please pray that Tim and I will not lose heart in the midst of our trial. but continue to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and to pursue unity and beauty in our marriage.
