Thankful

It seems like every year that I list what I am thankful for and there are so many things that I am thankful for including my family, friends and all the blessings poured out on me everyday!




                                       

I am thankful  for all the support  and prayer from friends, family, my church family and others since Richard has been diagnosed with cancer again!  I do so appreciate it!!

The other day I was reading in Genesis 5 and this verse stuck with me:

Genesis 5:3 (NIV)

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.

I could just see Seth  following his dad around, looking just like him, copying everything he had done.  This son was in his own likeness and probably imitated everything that Adam did.  He not only looked like him he wanted to be just like him. He probably moved just like him!  He probably followed him around and listened to every word.  

That is what a christian should do.  I should want to be just like the heavenly Father  As a christian I should be trying to imitate my Father in heaven.  I should be following His every lead, His every move and I should be listening every word. I should want to look just like Him!  He is the only one that I should be imitating!  

I am so thankful to my God that sent His Son that I might have eternal life.  I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to do this for me.  I am so thankful that I have a Savior to imitate!  

Who do you imitate??

1 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV)

Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you Ready?

                               

                                 

I have been saddened and appalled by the events that have been happening around the world and in the United States.  The massacre in Paris yesterday was horrific and terrifying.  This could happen anywhere.  The murderers that are doing this are everywhere.  One of the thoughts that went through my mind when hearing the terrible news was that I hope that those killed were ready.  Not that anybody is ready for the end but it does help to know that you are ready.

What I mean by this is that you know that if you are a child of God through the blood that was shed by Jesus Christ then you know that you are ready no matter what happens.  I have been reading in revelation and there are things written in that book  that seem to be happening right now. That leads me to this question: Are you ready? 

Are you ready if Christ comes back today?  Are you ready if you are killed just like the people in Paris today?  Are you ready if you die from a heart attack today?  Are you ready if you die in a car wreck today?  You get the picture, you have to be ready!

Revelation 14:9-10   

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.  Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword will die by the sword.

This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.

Have you been listening?  Do you understand?  Are you one of God's people?  

Will you be left behind if Christ comes for His people today?  Are you ready?

John 3:16

For God so love the world that whosoever believes in shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Revelation 3:20-21

Look, I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we shall share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

The Journey Continues:This new cancer

This new cancer that Richard is battling brought a whole new set of problems.  It brought a fast growing tumor with some spots above it. The tumor is esophageal cancer but they are not sure what the spots are.  It is possibly lymphoma but the treatments that are planned will take care of it if it is cancer. This new cancer will bring chemo and radiation.  Radiation will be new to Richard who had chemo of several different kinds with the Hodgkin Lymphoma plus the bone marrow transplants. It has also brought something new that Richard did not want.  A feeding tube.  He finally after several talks with the different Doctors agreed to this unwanted apparatus.

He even asked me if I would still be able to love him with something like that hanging out of him.  What a silly, silly boy!!! I guess he thinks that my love depends on how he looks or what is hanging out of his side. Well it doesn't I didn't marry him because of what he looked like or because he didn't have a feeding tube hanging out his side.  I married him because I love him and always will!  Of course he is a man and I do occasionally get irritated with him, like yesterday when he said those silly words to me.  What he needs to realized is that feeding tube needs to be there.  At some point with the radiation treatment he will have a swollen GI tract and throat, maybe even to the point of not being able to eat by mouth.  When and if he gets to the point of not being able to eat the feeding tube will be a life saver.  Something that he kept trying to reject could save his life!

When the conversation with Richard happened about the feeding tube with the Doctor explaining why he needed it I thought of this and also of how Jesus is like a feeding tube.  He died on the cross for us and became a life saver.  He did this so we might live forever just as the feeding tube could save Richard.  Richard had to accept the fact that he might need this life saving feeding tubing just as we have to accept a life saving Savior.  Jesus died so that we might live!  Jesus loves us so much! He doesn't care what we look like or what we have hanging out of us or what ghost we have in our past.  A person has to accept the fact that Jesus is a life saver. Don't reject His life saving treatment. This treatment was planned, Jesus is the answer to life eternal.

Don't be silly and think you don't need this treatment.  One treatment will cover it all.  Jesus is the treatment you need!

The Journey Continues:An unexpected development

This morning I headed back to the hospital where my husband has been since Sunday.   Some tears of sorrow escaped from my eyes and started their journey down my face.  I was thinking of the unexpected development that happened the day before.  My husband and I received the news yesterday that Richard has esophageal cancer.

I turned east and when I did I noticed that  the sun  was peeking through the clouds.  A few minutes before that there had not been even one ray of light.  The forecast had called for clouds and rain for most of the day but at that moment the sun had sent forth rays of hope to me.

I realized that just because the sun might be covered with clouds, even all day, doesn't mean it is not there.  I  just can't see it.  That unexpected development  yesterday had left me with dark cloud feelings.  I had been stunned with the news.  I felt like I was on auto pilot until I saw the rays of sun peeking through the clouds.  I was reminded that the Son is always there, even when my outlook is cloudy.  Jesus is my Lord and Savior and His light will be there for me always.

Do you know Jesus?  He is the light of the world! He can turn your clouds into hope!

John 8:12 (NIV)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The Journey Continues:Update on Richard

                                               

I have gotten out of the habit of blogging and giving updates on my husband.  I am going to try to do better because I do like to write!  Life has gotten pretty hectic in the last few months.  Just a quick overview for those that don't know, Richard fell and broke his hip on July 28th with surgery on the following day.  On August 18th and then again on August 19th that hip popped out so another surgery on August 20th.  The surgeon thought that if Richard could make it four weeks that everything would be good to go.  Nope not quite, on September 17th exactly four weeks out, that hip popped out again.  We were told that it had not healed and that it looked like mush.  This was very frustrating for Richard who is very much ready to get back to work. He will be having another surgery but this time at OU Medical.  We have seen the surgeon there and pre op things have been done.  Just don't have a date yet.  They are going to check the blood work and the test results before giving a date.  Richard is ready to escape from the hip problems and head back to work.

                                                   

Even though this is frustrating to Richard and I(more so to him) we know that the Lord  has a plan and that no matter what happens something good can come out of this situation and every situation!  We do know that God is the one that gets us through times like this!  We both would appreciate prayers for healing,wisdom and strength!  Maybe this is a thorn in the flesh but God's grace and strength is sufficient!

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NKJV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I can't keep my hand out of the cookie jar!

                           

I love most cookies but really love those chocolate chip cookies.  I have been trying to eat more healthy but when there are chocolate chip cookies around  I just can't seem to keep my hand out of the cookie jar.  It seems like I resolve that I will stay away from those cookies but then I see them.  Without my permission my hand just seems to end up with a cookie in it.  Then there is the smell of those luscious cookies wafting from my hand to my nose.  Before I know it that cookie is gone and more cookies in my hand.  After several cookies I think oh my how did that happen.  I have even tried slapping my hand only to find the other hand with a cookie in it. Sometimes between my hands not being able to stay out of the cookie jar and the smell I feel like I might be fighting a losing battle!  Sometimes I just think oh well, one or two or twelve cookies won't matter.  But it does matter and it shows.  It shows on the scales, it shows with tighter clothes and it also shows with health.

Sin is just like my hand that can't seem to stay out of the cookie jar.  Sin entices with the thought, oh just once won't matter, it entices with the smell and it entices with the thought that no one will know.  Sin keeps your hand in the cookie jar and it does matter.  It shows up in the way you act, it shows up in your attitude and it can also affect your health.

There is a way to keep my hand out of the cookie jar of sin.  There is a Savior and He can keep my hand out of the cookie jar of sin!  All I have to do is ask!  I don't have to fight a losing battle!

What about you? Do you know my Savior?  He can help keep your hand out of the cookie jar!

John 3:16New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

That Moment

Have you ever had that moment when you didn't care who saw you during that moment.  Well I had that moment the other day.  I was with my husband in his truck.  We were coming up to a red light when I happened to glance over at the window and I saw it.  A spider! Now it was moving kinda fast so I started hitting towards it and moving away from it as fast as I could.  If I had been thinking I would have jumped out and ran but I guess I don't think very well when I am that close to a creepy, crawly, ugly spider.  I just kept swatting, twisting and trying to kill that spider that was trying to kill me.  As I was swatting I happened to notice that the person in the car next to us was staring at me with a strange look.   At that moment in time I did not care.  I didn't even care when my husband told me that the car behind us had backed up.  There are moments when it just doesn't matter what others think.

There was another time when I had one of those moments.  I was a sinner, full of pride and self.  I knew what was right and what I needed to do to but the thought of what others might think kept me pinned inside my miserable state of mind.  I felt the wooing of a Savior but I stayed mired in my arrogance.  I had many, many nights of battling the demons of my mind.  I was swatting, twisting and trying to kill the demons of my pride.  One night though it rained, the wind blew and thundered very loudly throughout that night.  That night I realized that if our house flooded I would die in my pride and head straight to hell.  I was a young girl at that time but I knew I could not hold on to that pride anymore.  I knew that if I listened to and accepted the wooing of a Savior that I had to give up my pride and have That Moment. I didn't care anymore what others thought.  I had that Moment and will live forever with my Savior!

What about you?  Have you had That Moment?

John 3:16-17

For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that world might be saved through Him.

The Journey Continues: An Update and How Cancer has Changed My Husband

I haven't posted an update in a while and several people have asked me for an update.  Richard is doing well.  He did have an endoscope last month and will have another follow up one.  They found that he had swelling and ulcers on his esophagus.  They had no idea why he was not in pain.  They did start him on treatment and he is supposed (emphasis on the supposed) to be eating blander food. His counts have been good and his appointment with his cancer doctors are every two months.   His immunoglobins still run low  and about every three months he gets hooked up for an infusion.  He acts like he feels better and has been cooking like crazy.  I am trying to ignore the cookies, coconut and banana cream pies that keep calling my name.  I have had my limit of pie for the rest of the year in the last two days!

There have been many changes since Richard's cancer diagnosis and I am going to tell you about one of them today.  Before cancer sometimes my husband was just a tad impatient with me when I would get sick.  He would be good for maybe the first day or two but after that I could tell by his tone of voice or his body language that it was time for me to get well.  The way that he would do dishes or sweep the floor was far louder than any word he might have spoken.  Don't misunderstand me, I am not saying that he was mean to me but impatient.

This is how something that is bad can become a blessing.  The way cancer has changed my husband has had many good side effects.  I am not saying that he doesn't get impatient, mad or frustrated but there is a change.  I have not really been sick since November 2012.  I have had two virus' that did not last long.   I did not have to see a doctor and I didn't miss work but they just made feel yucky for a few days.  The second time that I didn't feel well is when I saw something that cancer had changed in him.  He was very concerned and kept asking me how he could help me.

On the second or third day of feeling yucky this is what he said to me when I came into the living room after getting dressed for the day.  He said that he had prayed for God to give my affliction to him.  What an amazing change that God has brought forth in my husband's life through this journey with cancer.

God can change you too!  God can help you with your afflictions!  Just give Him your heart and see what can happen!

John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Finding the Code

Monday after work I rushed to the post office so that when I finished there I could get home and relax.  I was tired and ready to  get home.  The one I went to is at a small town to the west of where I live and is easier to get in and out of than the one in the downtown area where I live.  I had two packages and a letter to mail.  I grabbed those items and hurried into the post office.

I got everything taken care of and talked with the post office lady for a few minutes and then reached into my pocket for my keys.  They weren't there.  I emptied all my pockets but alas no keys.  The post office lady went with me as I went out to my vehicle.  She looked inside on the passenger side and yes, she spotted my keys laying in the center console.  Those were my only set of keys.

I called my husband and after a few minutes of silence he reminded me that I had a code to use that would open the door.  After a few seconds of silence I asked him if he knew the code.  He didn't but I remembered that my daughter had it in her phone.  Her phone was at home plugged in and she was at flute lessons.  He stopped by her flute lessons but she didn't remember it. So my wonderful husband drove home, got the phone and than met her at her work.

Meanwhile back at the post office I was trying to figure out a way to relax and remember the code.  I tried and tried to remember the code but it was not to be. There is not a way to relax in a small post office with no chairs. In fact I don't know that I have ever seen a post office that has chairs.  I am thinking that maybe they need to rethink their post office lobbies. They just never know when someone might be stranded in one of their lobbies.  I leaned against the table.  I walked around.  I tried to rub my aching back.  I leaned against the wall.  I had been on my feet for the previous three hours except for my drive to the post office.  I thought about going out to my vehicle to try to sit on the bumper but the wind was quite chilly.  I was leaning against the door when I got the call.  My husband had the code.

I was elated and hurried to my car.  The code worked and soon I was sitting, with my seat warmer sending warmth up through my aching back.  I drove back to Enid and was soon relaxing on my couch. I think I need to make sure that I have that code written down to take with me everywhere I go.

I do have a code that I will never forget.  It is imprinted in my heart.  This code has paved the path to freedom.  The code helps me to be brave when otherwise I would be afraid.  This code is with me everywhere I go. It has given me strength and endurance that I would never have on my own.  This code has paved my way to heaven.  My pockets will never be empty.  I can relax I will always have the code.

The code is Jesus!  Do you have the code?

John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16-17(NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Time Flies and the Buzzing of Flys

                                                   

I was having a text conversation with a good friend of mine when the subject came up of how long we have known each other.  We met about twenty years ago.  It just seems like yesterday that I met this wonderful woman who became a friend and mentor, but it has been years.  It was mentioned about how time flies.  For some reason that made me think of the lifespan of buzzing flys.  Those annoying little things that buzz around your head actually only live about four weeks.

It make me think about how I let little things annoy me.   I hear buzzing instead of words.   I forget that life really is flying by and I need to slow down, listen and enjoy the friends that God has given to me.  I have many friends that I love to visit with, do things with and text with but I have let the buzz of life erase time that I could have spent with these friends.

Then there is the buzz of family.  The buzzing of family sometimes feels like a roar and I sometimes don't even remember what was said.   It is hard to get away from the buzz of family. I have family that sounds like buzz, buzz, buzz but I do love to talk and spend time with my family.

I think that worst of all is the buzzing that I hear sometimes when God is talking to me. Sometimes I let time constraints buzz into Bible reading and all I can think of is that I have to hurry, time is flying.  God wants me to hear, read His Word and feel His Spirit. He wants me to slow down and hear what family and friends are saying.  God wants me to use my time for Him.  He wants me to be still, listen and forget that time is buzzing by.

James 1:19 (NKJV)

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

Mopping the way to cleanliness

I have two part time jobs and at the second one I fix a meal and clean daily.  This job is also Monday through Friday.  On Friday I was looking for something else to clean and decided that I would mop again.  The floors looked clean but I needed something to do.  I got out the mop bucket and the mop and started through the house.  The floors look very clean when I was through but I still thought that the water would not be that dirty, after all I had mopped two days before.  To my surprise when dumping the water it was very dirty.  I guess every day that dirt and grime is being tracked into that house with the comings and goings of different people.

I was on my way home when it hit me.  I am just like that.  I track dirt and grime into my soul everyday.  I allow thoughts, moods, tiredness and other people to influence my thoughts and actions.  I need to mop out my soul daily with prayers, reading the Bible and listening to the Holy Spirit.  I need to allow the dirt and grime to be mopped daily from my life.

Do you need to be mopped today?

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

You can be Pardoned!

I think that there is someone out there that needs to hear this today!

I am pardoned but not perfect.  No matter what I had done I was still pardoned.  Even though I was mired in the path of sin I was forgiven!  I still sin but I am still pardoned. I know that this might seem unreal to You but it is so.  There was someone that took my sins as His own.  His name is Jesus.  He is my Savior!

When I sin now, I feel regret and sorrow but I am still pardoned.  No matter what I do Jesus is still my Savior.  I ask Him at the age of eleven to come into my heart and forgive me for my sin.  He did and He will do that for you to.  When I sin now I feel a guilt and regret that I did not feel before and I take it back to my Savior and tell Him that I am sorry.  I am still saved and pardoned but never perfect.

I will one day meet my Savior face to face and be completely changed and healed of my sin problem forever!

Have you been pardoned?  Maybe today is the day!

John 3:16-17New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV