Drawing from the Reserve

A careful look the Sonoran Desert will reveal the broad brush of the landscape beautifully arrayed in a variety of greens, browns and russets. The cacti are carefully painted with brilliant colors, and yet all these thrive in adverse conditions. Little wonder the Lord moved my husband and me to Tucson just before the cancer diagnosis came to call at my door.

Though there are a plethora of beautiful vistas to marvel at, moving here has required some adjustment. National weather maps display summer highs in Tucson hovering around 120 degrees. Learning about desert living includes a few fun facts. Did you know cacti are designed to act like camels, with the ability to store water in their plant bodies and draw water from their own reserve in a drought? 

One striking example from Scripture on how we can build a reserve for times of trial is described in John 4.  A woman so obviously stained by the sorrows of the world stops at a well to draw ordinary water. Quite unexpectedly, however, the Savior of the world happens by on a day known only to Him, and this visit changes her life forever. Except for a connection to the Patriarch Jacob, there’s nothing special about this well or its water. What does make this well exceptional is that Jesus is there to offer this ordinary woman the opportunity to never thirst again, to have an endless supply of God’s Word in her heart and on her tongue and lips. She gladly accepts the Lord’s offer of forgiveness and with a rejoicing spirit immediately begins spreading His fame throughout the land.

Has Jesus dropped in on you lately, without prior notice, ready to pour forth His Word – His pure and living water which never runs dry? Are you in a trial, drawing from the well of the many truths learned through time spent alone with the Lord?  Just as the cactus flower survives the time of testing by drawing upon the reserve, so must we.

“Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)

“But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them… However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:4, 13)

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Just One Kind of Hot Fudge Sundae

Yummy!!! My husband makes the best hot fudge sundaes. It’s all in the sauce. When he follows directions to a tee (handed down from his mother) the results are scrumptious. Change the amount of sugar or cooking time and the results will be totally different. As one battling cancer, I can attest; there are many forms of treatment which might work in defeating the “enemy, “ however only a select few are beneficial in defeating a particular type of cancer.  Leaping immediately to a spiritual connection, most believe that there are many ways to eliminate sin, yet killing this age-old enemy is strikingly limited to just one method – just one way. This treatment is found in acknowledging Jesus Christ alone as my Savior.  He is exclusively the Truth, the Life and the Way. The perfect hot fudges sundae with a cherry on top!

Now the hard part, even for Christians, to attain such perfections is to relinquish all control and allow Jesus to be Lord and King.  Making Jesus Lord of the past, present and future is too often a scary proposition, yet a much repeated theme throughout all of God’s Word.  Though so plainly spelled out, many times sound doctrine is maligned as too restrictive. Instead of embracing sound doctrine as the essential to our upbringing as Christians to root out sin and pride we, like the disciples in Matthew 16, tend to ‘reason within ourselves’ attempting to determine our own version of right and wrong. We begin to think there are perhaps other permissible roads to travel in search of solutions to our greatest problems. The Scripture has this to say about our inclination to compromise:

“All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” (2 Corinthians 10:23 NRSV) Hot fudge sundaes are yummy and it’s certainly not against the law to eat one of these sweet treats, but making a habit of eating them isn’t beneficial toward the goal of good health or at least optimal weight.

More important than sweet tooth cravings are those things we might consider acceptable because God allows them to continue. Eastern religious practices like yoga, “make believe” movies about witchcraft, and alcohol consumption are just a few examples. What could possibly be wrong with these seemingly harmless activities? The Lord wants Christians to “shine as lights in the world,” blameless, harmless, without fault. (Philippians 2:15)  It matters because; as we tell people that we are Christians they look at our lifestyle to see if we’re any different than the world, if we truly are new creations in Christ. Take a look at other scripture passages written for our instruction and warning…“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8) If we truly love Jesus, doesn't it make sense to build up the kingdom and of God and sow to the Spirit and get a total makeover?

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Volunteers - Meet Merja Fellin

Merja is originally from Finland. She is married with 2 daughters. She says she loves volunteering because it gives her a chance to help other believers and to get to know new people.

Thanks for helping us Merja!

Camp Chemo

What to bring??? The Bible (of course) – check; a good book – check; my favorite drinking cup filled with plenty of ice cold water – check; a lunch bag with sandwich, crackers, fruit, and maybe soup if there’s access to a microwave – check. I also brought my laptop during the first 8 months of treatments when I was still “working from home” for my former employer. I sure got a lot done those days sitting there for 6 hours while the Carboplatin and Paclitaxel slowly dripped into my veins. Wow! How very different this kind of checklist is from the typical “what to bring to camp” checklist I got when I was a kid: 

Bedding, Tent, Sleeping bag, Ground cloth, Blankets, Extra stakes, Pillow, Shade tarp, Air mattress, Axe, Air pump, Dust pan/brush, Large bags for storage, Water jug &/or water bucket, Potholders and not to mention bathing suit, sunscreen and lots of bug spray.                                                

Camp Chemo

Though “Camp Chemo” is set up to be meaningful, purposeful, and determined to rid the campers of cancer, it can be more “light” hearted than anticipated in view of the golden opportunities there to catch fish for Jesus. The battle worn camper who knows Jesus can be an enormous light to someone just learning the to remain strong in the fight of their life. In the book of Exodus, Moses was just such a man.  He was a real trooper when called to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land at over 80 years old. Israel was fighting the Amalekites and it wasn’t going in their favor. Moses went to the top of the hill with the priests Aaron and Hur. When Moses held up his hands Israel prevailed and when he let down his hands the battle swung Amalek’s way. As Moses tired, Aaron and Hur then began to hold up his hands for him and Israel once again took control. You could certainly say seeing a man’s hands lifted heavenward is most always an encouraging sign to others entrenched in battle. (Exodus 17:10-13)

Hands reaching up for help signify humility; the realization that the battle can’t be won alone. Moses had help from his friends, but ultimately he relied on the Lord, and we must do likewise during our earthly times of trial. Ephesians 6:6-16 offers another kind of checklist for each of us to be prepared to meet the day. The full armor of God is needed now more than ever: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit.   My “camping experiences” have taught me more than being prepared with the outward supplies.  Most importantly they have revealed to me that “though the outward man in perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16) So until that time I go to be with my Lord and Savior, there is a whole world of people out there, camping in this world, who need to know Jesus. Lord, how do you want to use cancer to reach them and teach them how great you are?

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Trail Blazing

Ever been on a trail ride? Those horses will not break ranks, continuing to follow each other hundreds of times over no matter who sits in the saddle. Any attempt to go off the trail may result in similar equine responses we would have to a sudden change of plans. “Wait a minute... Where are you taking me?...I’ve never gone this way before!”  We might buck the sudden jolt to the rhythm of life too. More typically we have conditioned responses to given situations: the person who drives you to the store changes your regular route and goes a different way. Perhaps a forced change in policies and procedures at your job has gotten you off track. Or maybe…you’re hearing for the first time “you have cancer.” Whoa! Cancer is not in the plan; let's get back on the bridle path!! Quick! 

Though we travel to many different places absorbing various life experiences, I’m persuaded we each have developed individual habits for dealing with the ebbs and flows of life. Rationally settling into the reality of cancer takes time. We want to distance ourselves from the diagnosis just like our friends may distance themselves from us. After all, now there is a reminder of our mortality right in front of them.  At first, the mind generally goes to how the culture pictures cancer, i.e., nausea, weight loss, wheelchairs, hair loss, and yes - too often, death. No one escapes death of course, but not all undergoing cancer treatment experience every possible side effect. Hair loss probably exceeds (even) loss of mobility as the biggest fear people conjure up when they hear cancer because it's so public. We want to keep our crowns intact as long as possible and do not wish to walk the road of life bald.

Consider this; instead of presuming the worst possible scenario for the future with cancer, why not blaze a new trail of hope in and peace with Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2 speaks to the need to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. Our life is passing away. Are we not better off surrendering the things of this world to Jesus? By faith we forge ahead trusting the Holy Spirit to help us reconcile all fear, doubt, anger and sadness over a marred body image and help find understanding by looking into the Word of God. God’s Word cannot be likened to a worthless, worldly incantation exerted by mere human effort.  Instead we read, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalm 119:60) Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled by the Lord Jesus, the ultimate trailblazer in His first coming. The Son of God left the perfect example of surrender unto the Father when He willingly laid down His life at the cross. Oh, how we need to lay our lives down at God’s altar to know the peace of Christ that surpasses understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Join me. <><

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Die to Live

A film franchise whose central character is a suave secret agent is soon to release another installment. No doubt this film will be filled with pulse pounding car chases and super stunts that dare to imply the Bond character lives forever. Movies may ‘imitate art’ but they are not real life, certainly not the life God intended for us to have before sin came in. Oh yes, sin again needs to be addressed because it stands stubbornly in the way of a stable relationship with Jesus. We like to drag sin around with us sometimes like an old sack of potatoes. We just won’t put it down, perhaps for fear of being unrecognizable without the extra weight. Argh!

How much better it would be to obey the Lord and die to sin. Take Lot’s wife. How much better it would have been for her to press on to the better country prepared for her than to long for the likes of sinful Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19 retells this historic event. Verse 17 reads that the angels of the Lord warned Lot and his family not to look back when fleeing the city. His wife didn’t listen and it cost her life. Contrast her foolishness with the wisdom of the Apostle Paul. He said things like…

·  I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  (1 Corinthians 15:3142-44) 

·         I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)

·         Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:11) 

All sinners saved by Christ are called to put off the old man and put on the new. Cancer shouldn’t have the market cornered on waking up to the truth that real life is hid with Christ. In fact, cancer should make it easier to help shed the old man as the disease certainly does do much to alter one’s body image. Think as you honestly look at your body; are you really able to stop the aging process? Bodies function magnificently even in their corrupted, sin-stained state, but they must die in order for us to inherit and inhabit the body Christ has prepared for us and that body will never wear out. (Revelation 21) Let the old man go. Die to self to live in Christ.

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Help Me Please!!

Catch phrases like rugged individualism and self-reliance seem inherent in just about every human being. Dire, unique battles of the flesh or spirit can’t be fought alone and frankly Jesus Christ should be the commanding officer each step of the way. The following is a jam packed account of a family reaching out for help and receiving bountifully from God’s hand!

“Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. (Mark 9:17-27)

“The Great Physician” immediately gets to work and soon the boy was healed at the Word of God. Whether we are plagued with emotional malaise or physical limitations; God is ready, willing, and plenty able to help if we would just ask. Are we calling out to the Teacher, our Friend when times are tough; when we could use a hand? The Lord uses people to get His work done and they want to help us. But in many ways it’s so much easier to give than receive; is it not? Learning how to accept help from fellow believers has come a little easier through the gift of cancer. Every person in the body of Christ has a crucial function. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12  for further insights.

Over the panorama of our lives we may have been known at one time for great strength, but now we can be called ‘weaker members’ in need of our brothers and sisters to come along side and help hold us up. In years past I was quite accustomed to going it alone, proving I could do things myself. Today, I not only wonder how many blessings I missed out on, but how many blessings I denied by refusing to be helped. Ironically I now find myself in a situation that absolutely requires all assistance humanly available. Receiving gifts from others is akin to receiving right from the Lord Himself; a visit, a call, time to study God’s Word, a meal. What can someone do today to love on you, in the way that Jesus Christ loves you? Allow the Lord to bless you in your time of need and in return you will not only be blessed, but will also bless those the Lord has put in your life to serve you!

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Fought the Good Fight

The man you see pictured here is a man of God, our former Calvary Chapel* Pastor, Ed Gaines. He went to be with the Lord September 28, 2012 after a 2 year battle with cancer. Since Ed’s body was compromised by kidney problems for 22 years, he needed extra strength from Jesus to fight this final fight with cancer. Over the span of his life and mine we weren't friends long, but our paths crossing was more than significant. About a year after my husband and I moved to Tucson from the Fairfield Ohio area (where Ed was pastor at Calvary Chapel Tri-State*), I found out I had cancer and so did Ed. As he prayed with me from far away over the phone I felt blessed to have this precious connection with him. We encouraged each other over the next two years. Ed told me reading my blog helped him press on and in turn the Lord continued prompting me to declare the need for all of us to stay focused on Jesus Christ.

Regardless of his health problems, Ed preached the Gospel week after week, every chance he had. Ed regaled us with tales of the dialysis nurses preparing for an earful of God’s truth whenever they saw him walk through the door for treatment. (That’s how I want to be!) When Ed was physically weak and unable to walk to the pulpit he insisted the elders assist and if need be carry him to a chair on the riser so he could still preach. (That’s how I want to be!) This man was all about getting God’s Word to God’s people and any issues he faced were secondary. Ed didn’t take the easy road on controversial topics either: he spoke boldly knowing the Lord could be trusted with the results. What an example he was to me! Are we only willing to put it all on the line when we’re staring at death? Ed was faithful, healthy or sick.

The Apostle Paul said “I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31) This exclamation was not born from  his suffering from cancer or some other life threatening condition, but rather the realization we all die. This is part of the curse of original sin. (Genesis 3) Paul also comprehended and believed (as he said to the Philippians’ church) “I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8). Paul was simply saying he willing to die because he knew his eternal destination. The same was true of Pastor Ed. He fought the good fight and now is wearing the crown. (2 Timothy 4:8) Perhaps with a golden Afro? J

Are you sure you will meet believers in Christ after you pass from the earth? Remember Jesus said “no one comes to the father except by Him” and that He alone paid the whole price for sin. If this is your belief you can be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.“ (Philippians 1:6) 

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Detours

Unplanned stops on life’s journey can be greeted with perturbed annoyance or embraced with curiosity. Sudden changes in the charted course jolt the system. Wait! I have other plans; a career to accelerate – no time for unwanted news; especially bad news about a disease. We’re so apt to plan out the day, the year,and surely set some long term goals such as getting married in the prime of our youth, having biological children, and retiring early with money in the bank to cruise to exotic locales. Every person I have encountered with cancer including myself has felt a bit robbed of life's planned pursuits when the truth of cancer settles in.

For certain, cancer has carried me to places I never would have otherwise traveled. I pray to the Lord every day to use the circumstances I find myself in to shine brighter for Him than ever before. I pray those that know me will get the message that the life we live is not under our control and that our so-called plans are nothing more than steps to order our days. The nurses at the cancer center and I are on a first name basis now. Last week "Lisa" told me she was “inspired” after I held the IV pumping chemo into my body while explaining just a few things cancer has taught me, namely that my body is truly a rotting corpse while my spirit is being renewed day by day in the image of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:16) How real is that? The Bible teaches “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Another pit stop I make to manage cancer side effects are trips to the Physical Therapist, ‘Rick”. Yesterday I had an interesting discussion with him which started out with his comments about the concept of time. He said time was made by man, meaning we have expectations about our lives, our days, and what we want to accomplish, as I outlined above. I told him I appreciated his view, but beg to differ with his belief that man creates time. I communicated to him that God who is outside of time created time for our benefit. Morning and evening, God declared each 24 hour period “good.” Man brought evil into the world by disobeying God. Our attempt to hang onto time is a futile attempt to control our lives and ultimately God. Furthermore cancer is just one effect of a broken world and I would never blame God for it. With regard to time, we put the pressure on ourselves to check off what’s on the bucket list as if a life worth living is based on what we do, especially for ourselves.

I told Rick when I became a Christian my ambitions started to be about serving God and serving others. Since none of us know how many steps we will take on earth, we need to keep eternity in the forefront of our minds. As a believer in Jesus Christ my eternity with Him will be a total fulfillment of the life I’ve partially experienced here. Now we know in part and then we shall fully know. 1 Corinthians 13. In Heaven I live forever serving God and other believers. Rick didn’t run out of the room screaming “Jesus freak”, but did say he thought the things I conveyed to him made sense. 

Unlike the oft repeated phrase it’s “just my opinion" here instead are words we can be sure of; promises we can all take to the bank. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20, 21)

Now with that we can truly live the way we’re supposed to – at peace in Christ and worry free.

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Our Volunteers...Shawna

Shawna, one of our great volunteers shared this little snippet about her life with me.  Thanks Shawna for taking time to be there for us and share our burdens!

Shawna says...."I grew up in Hobbs, New Mexico.  I have lived in Tucson since 1990.  I am married to Mark, and we have two girls, Paige (14) and Chayse (12) and one dog, Cleopatra (7 month old miniature Schnauzer).  I really enjoy being outdoors working in my garden, taking hikes, reading, and just enjoying every day that the Lord has blessed me with.  There are several scriptures that give me strength each day: Chapter 118 from the book of Psalms and Ephesians 6: 10-18." 

Our Volunteers...Wendy

I thought it would be nice to get a little snippet from our volunteers about their lives and post it here on the blog to foster connections and growing together in the Lord's grace. I hope to see many more here. :-) 

Wendy was the first to send me her bio...
   ...I grew up in a small suburb near Chicago, IL.  When I was about forty, I returned to school for my Masters degree in Blind Rehabilitation.  I found a job at the Veterans Hospital here in Tucson and have been working here since 1998 teaching Low Vision and Living Skills. 

I really enjoy dogs, but don't have any of my own now because I am renting.  I also enjoy reading and watching old movies.  I am starting to try cooking again too. 

My favorite verse is 2 Corinithians 13:9, "For when we are weak you are strong".  I say this one to myself all the time!"...

Practical Cancer Resources - Helpful Links

Each person on this planet has a unique DNA signature that was designed by God and called very good. (Genesis 1:31) As a result of man's disobedience we see effects of corruption on the human body; in this case cancer. Yet the Lord in His infinite wisdom allowed that which is corrupted by sin to be used and developed to assist those enduring such things as cancer, for His glory. (Genesis 3) A short list of practical resources is provided below. Some or none of these man made organizations may be beneficial to individual needs. As you do your research pray to know if the Lord is in agreement with the funding, methods and purpose of each group.  Though the Lord has allowed eastern medicinal practices to exist and created plants and such to be consumed doesn't mean he approves of methods or philosophies. It's best not to add anything to biblical principles and still call it Christian. 

This ministry prays to walk humbly before God with regard to how He wants to treat cancer in each individual patient and directs those with cancer to let their ultimate treatment decisions be between them, the Lord and their doctor.  If you discover anything on these web site that I missed, that causes concern, please let me know.

Thanks - Cherrie 

__________________________________________________________________________

Partnership for Prescription Assistance 

Wigs, Hats and Scarves 

Patient Gift Registry

National Cancer Institute - Free Grant Money for Treatment 

Mayo Clinic-Lung Cancer Treatment

Joni Eareckson Tada - Breast Cancer testimony

Better Than Ever Program

AACR Grant Money & Financial Aid

Assess Your Cancer Risk

Perfect Timing

It’s said, “It’s the little things that count.” Last Thursday we sat in the doctor’s office once again awaiting results of the PET scan taken a couple days earlier. For those taking notes, a PET scan is positron emission tomography, which is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body. How do they do that? Seriously: by injecting us with radioactive glucose, letting it course through the veins for forty-five minutes, and then sending us through the tube for some pictures. Wherever the glucose lights up is “hot” for possible cancer. I’ve had a few not so good PET scan results over the last 2 years, but this last one held good news for me. Though the cancer isn’t gone, it’s stable, which means two small nodes are getting microscopically smaller and there isn’t any cancer moving about in the body to cause trouble elsewhere. Most thrilling was the special answered prayer connected to this message.

My son is getting married at the end of December. My husband and I so hoped and prayed the doctor would think it might be time for a break from chemo so I could be healthier to enjoy this upcoming blessed event, particularly since the wedding will take place in cold Wisconsin climes. Brrr! When the doc brought up only 2 more cycles of chemo, then taking a break for most of November and December we were so happy. I hope to get stronger – get back to going for walks! To be sure, my friends; it’s those little things that are much appreciated during a trial like this so don’t take your health for granted – ever. As a believer in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I do want to be about the Lord’s business, especially since every breath I take with just one lung comes from Him.

Some may say because I am a Christian I shouldn’t be sick or if I had enough faith the Lord would take cancer away. I say, the Lord allowed cancer to visit me at just the right time for many practical reasons having to do with treatment and support I’ve received. Even more so I pray He has used my infirmity to reach many more people for Him than I could've ever done without cancer. A couple of examples from Scripture come to mind. Joseph is really noted for beauty far exceeding a song about his multi-colored coat. His brothers sold him to slave traders when he was a teen and he spent many years in prison before finally being released and revealed as the “prince of Egypt.” Joseph’s time of confinement was spent learning the Lord and ministering for Him to Pharaoh’s servants. When finally released, he was prepared for the biggest job of his earthly life – feeding a multitude of people during a famine, including the brothers that betrayed him! (Genesis 37-50).

The Apostle Paul did amazing work for the Lord, planting churches all over the region, healing the sick, raising the dead and suffering terrible persecutions for the name of Christ. Since he did such amazing things for God one might ask why did he have to suffer at all.  Why didn’t the Lord just give him smooth sailing? 2 Corinthians 12 verse 7 tells us Paul also had a thorn in his flesh, something physical the Lord allowed in his life to keep him from becoming self-exalted or conceited. He prayed just like I’ve prayed for the Lord to take it away. It would be silly not to pray for that. Instead of focusing on the calamities Paul says he boasted in them, saying when he is weak Christ is strong. Now, the Lord knows I am no super saint, but the question remains – how will I respond to my infirmities? The cancer isn’t gone. The thorn remains, but God is still good and my son is getting married!

 Come December 29, 2012 I will be feasting at Jake’s wedding banquet, enjoying fellowship with others who love him and share his joy in joining his life with his bride. As special as that day will be, as much as I look forward to seeing this happy event come to pass, I am even more eager to go to the wedding feast in Heaven that awaits those who have surrendered their earthly lives to the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.(Revelation 19:7-10) The Scriptures make it clear that only those who have trusted Jesus Christ while alive will enter Heaven so please make sure you’ve got that straight today. ("Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16)

One closing thought: Perhaps big trials on earth are preparation for big jobs in the life to come.

For more posts from Comfort in Christ Cancer Support go to http://comfortinchristcancersupport.blogspot.com/

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Overcoming Fear

When tempted to dwell on the physical troubles of this world, pray to the Lord that your eyes may be opened to see the many ways He fights for you.
2 Kings 6:12-22
And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan."Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha

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