When life hands you a bitter pill how do you handle it? Car crash, house fire, death and disease in the family, where does your eyes focus? On the bank account, your collection, car or the lawn you have nurtured? When people talk of you, what trait do they speak of most highly? "He has a nice lawn", "His car is fine", "She is on the street corner every Friday teaching about that Christ".
Walk around a graveyard and you may see epithets like these, "He ate what was set before him", "Her life was a tragedy, may she rest in peace", "He played the cards of life and won", "She walked with Christ, now she sits with him".
Christians are supposed to have a higher view of life, an eye to the wondrous life to come following death. Yet in our day to day life what do we find? How may Christians are afraid? Yes, afraid. Afraid of loss of possessions, loss of house, loss of money, loss of collections (wow look at all those fears of loss), disease and death. How many Christians are afraid of loss of their relationship with Christ?
I have, what I believe, is a most excellent truism, "Actions speak louder then words". Another way of putting it would be "You talk the talk but do you walk the walk?" James spoke the same words in his day, "Faith without works is dead". Well do you walk the Christian life or do you parody it? Do you have Works of Faith?
These words preface a painful reality and a powerful truth.
TJ's cancer is back.
Four words that speak of a reality that changes lives and futures. Words that speak of bitter disappointment, pain and death. How does one respond to such a reality? With a powerful truth.
Walk around a graveyard and you may see epithets like these, "He ate what was set before him", "Her life was a tragedy, may she rest in peace", "He played the cards of life and won", "She walked with Christ, now she sits with him".
Christians are supposed to have a higher view of life, an eye to the wondrous life to come following death. Yet in our day to day life what do we find? How may Christians are afraid? Yes, afraid. Afraid of loss of possessions, loss of house, loss of money, loss of collections (wow look at all those fears of loss), disease and death. How many Christians are afraid of loss of their relationship with Christ?
I have, what I believe, is a most excellent truism, "Actions speak louder then words". Another way of putting it would be "You talk the talk but do you walk the walk?" James spoke the same words in his day, "Faith without works is dead". Well do you walk the Christian life or do you parody it? Do you have Works of Faith?
These words preface a painful reality and a powerful truth.
TJ's cancer is back.
Four words that speak of a reality that changes lives and futures. Words that speak of bitter disappointment, pain and death. How does one respond to such a reality? With a powerful truth.
YHWH-Ra-ah — "The Lord my Shepherd"
A name that speaks of strength, love and caring.
Yes, I can see the future of painful tests, risky surgery and months of chemotherapy which will cause sickness. Yes, even death. But.... Perhaps, through these dimmed eyes, I can perceive the shape of a scarred hand holding her hand, arms comforting shaking shoulders and soft fingers wiping tears from pain ravaged cheeks.
"The proof of the pudding is in the tasting."
"The strengthening of faith is in the walk."
As we face the specter of disease and death in our lives where do our eyes focus? Are you worried about the loss of earthly treasures? Who will care for your precious treasures, houses, cars, collections? Do you cry out to the uncaring skies, "What a bitter day it was, the day I was born"?
Yes, TJ was rocked by the news of the specters return but this is a specter that has no power in her life. You might ask her the secret of her ability to overcome this devastating news. She will tell you that she has none, she is overwhelmed, tired and afraid. You might then ask, "Then how do you keep going? Why don't you just give up?". TJ will respond with, "God sustains me". "But you have a family, three special needs boys at home, a house to care for, a senior mother to help maintain, a step-father that is dying. How can you deal with all that and now you have cancer of the cervix, ovaries and stomach. God doesn't care about you, why don't you just tell God how damn unfair he is and give up?".......
You know what, TJ smiled, she actually smiled and asked "How can I give up the Master that has cared for me and loved me so much? Am I to curse the one that I need most now? He died for me, can I do less?"
Do you have a sunny day God or is he there for the rainy days too? Are you?
Yes, I can see the future of painful tests, risky surgery and months of chemotherapy which will cause sickness. Yes, even death. But.... Perhaps, through these dimmed eyes, I can perceive the shape of a scarred hand holding her hand, arms comforting shaking shoulders and soft fingers wiping tears from pain ravaged cheeks.
"The proof of the pudding is in the tasting."
"The strengthening of faith is in the walk."
As we face the specter of disease and death in our lives where do our eyes focus? Are you worried about the loss of earthly treasures? Who will care for your precious treasures, houses, cars, collections? Do you cry out to the uncaring skies, "What a bitter day it was, the day I was born"?
Yes, TJ was rocked by the news of the specters return but this is a specter that has no power in her life. You might ask her the secret of her ability to overcome this devastating news. She will tell you that she has none, she is overwhelmed, tired and afraid. You might then ask, "Then how do you keep going? Why don't you just give up?". TJ will respond with, "God sustains me". "But you have a family, three special needs boys at home, a house to care for, a senior mother to help maintain, a step-father that is dying. How can you deal with all that and now you have cancer of the cervix, ovaries and stomach. God doesn't care about you, why don't you just tell God how damn unfair he is and give up?".......
You know what, TJ smiled, she actually smiled and asked "How can I give up the Master that has cared for me and loved me so much? Am I to curse the one that I need most now? He died for me, can I do less?"
Do you have a sunny day God or is he there for the rainy days too? Are you?
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