My Dad

This past summer was a challenging and emotional summer for me. It seemed every time I turned around something was going on…my best friend left home, my finances were horrible, I could not find a job, I couldn’t go home. The hardest thing of the summer was when my father was diagnosed with sarcoma, cancer of the tissue. The day he had his surgery was the same day I moved from my house to my trailer. I was thankful to be busy, but it was still hard not being with my family. I have to admit, I asked God so many times “why” – why someone who has served the Lord for over 30 years could have cancer, why it had to be my dad, why I had to be here. It wasn’t until my pastor preached a message on trials. That the Lord gives them to us for a reason.

My dad went on chemotherapy. The first week was hard, I was worried, biting my nails, not being focused at work. I called home constantly making sure my dad was okay. The months past. I was wanting to see my family soon—so I didn’t have to drive. The Lord made the way for me to see them at Thanksgiving. My seeing my dad with no hair was hard.. but no mater what he is still the most handsome man ever.

 

This week my dad finishes his 5th round and Lord willing, his last round of treatments. After he completes this round of chemo he will have various tests and CT scans to make sure everything is negative (which I don’t get why they say negative when you want something to be good :) ). Thank you to those who have prayed for dad and my family.

God is good and faithful and He will never give me anything too big that I cannot handle on my own~

Christ Being the Picture of a Servant

One of my favorite Bible passages has become Philippians 2: 5-8, which says “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made  himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

I think of Christ being a servant through the illustration of Christ washing the disciples feet. From what I have heard the roads were dusty, the people wore sandals, and the feet would become very dirty. Washing feet was probably  the “least liked”job. But, Christ washing the feet of His followers was not only a demonstration of love, but was also a demonstration of Christ being a servant.

Through the years I have learned that I should take upon the form of a servant in my life. There may be things that I may not enjoy doing, but when I do not do those things it will show pride. Pride is a sin. Pride is putting myself first before God or others. I need to show humbleness and have a willing heart to do even the most undesirable job.

Christ is the perfect example of on who took upon the form of a servant. I need to be like Christ and do the same. 

 

God’s Provision…a Chair

Some of my household furniture was given to me through friends. Some of the chairs to my kitchen table are old and time by time I guess through use the seat of the chairs are cracked. Well, needless to say I am down to one chair and even that is splitting. I was going to go look at Target® or Wal-Mart® for some kitchen chairs knowing that they would be expensive. I asked a friend at church of they knew of any place I could get some nice chairs for a good price. She offered to let me buy some chairs, that she has been trying to sell from her. It was amazing to see how the Lord provided because only yesterday I prayed for a way to get some new kitchen chairs~

Prayer

I have learned so much over the past seven months about the impact of prayer. There are some things I cannot share on this blog that has been on my heart. One issue has been going on the months now. I’ve stayed awake nights praying for something. The past months I have wanted to give up but the Lord somehow reminded me not to give up. He brought people in from the Bible to my mind to be godly examples~ Hannah wanted a son and prayed for what seemed along time~ God blessed her when she gave it to the Lord.

Job lost his possessions, his family, his wife of all people told him to “curse God and die". It seemed he wanted to give up even after his health was taken away, but he kept his eyes on the Lord—even though at times he may have asked “why.” I’ve been much like this is a situation asking “why Lord why…” But the Lord reminds me to keep my eyes on Him.

The lesson in the New Testament when the disciples where in the boat and Jesus was sleeping. The disciples asked “Lord don’t you care if we perish or not.” But yet, God showed his great love. He calmed the winds and the waves~ He was in complete and ultimate control of the situation. I may never me in control of the situations in my own life~ but GOD always is and always has a plan. He calms those waves in my heart and helps me see that He is the only one to give me complete and total peace.

Jeremiah and the potter’s house has shown me God is making a vessel through everything he presses upon my life and heart. He wants to mold me into what HE wants me to be~ and as the song says, “its a task full of pain and care I’m molding a masterpiece of great beauty.”

Through the months I’ve learned all this about prayer~ Here are some things for you to pray about for me~

• * Hannah-
• * My dad completing cancer treatments
• * summer employment
• * Aunt Cathi LaCounte: melanoma has spread to lung and liver—NEEDS TO BE SAVED
• *Aunt Phyllis: has quit cancer treatments for lung cancer

Prayer changes things~ Never give up!

 

A Thought…

I have questioned at times why God can love someone like me.  The times I do not trust God—I feel like I fail yet HE still loves me. I lose friends—yet He is always there. I go through hard times—but He has not given me anything too big I could not handle without His help. I am thankful for a God who loves and cares and who no matter what is always there when the world turns their back on me.

It is great to know that there is a God—ONE GOD~ who created me, who knows my thoughts, who knows my future, who is patient when at times I feel I fail, who is always there when at times I don’t always go to HIM for all things.

 

Just a bit of thoughts before bed time

Journey of a Lifetime

Throughout 2009 my church will be going through the Bible together—reading, memorizing, and learning about each book. This should be an exciting time. I am looking forward to it—although right now I am a little behind in my own studies in it (since I was sick the morning they handed everything out). 

I do have a feeling that this next year will be a journey for me personally—trials, testing, and lessons for me to learn to grow more like Christ.

Finally

I have finally figured out how to write my blogs more efficiently. I have downloaded Windows Live Write. It is a really neat computer program where you write your blogs on your PC (edit them and all) then publish them more efficiently.I only downloaded it today and so far I really like it. I am hoping to keep up more with my blog now…:0)