Heaven 11-3-2001
Thank you also to all who have offered prayers for my wife. Her name is Bunny. She had breast cancer ten years ago and underwent treatment. She was pronounced cancer free five years later.
She has just been diagnosed with bone cancer that was a result of the breast cancer. She has had lots of tests and we are in the process of waiting for the results to determine the treatment.
Often times it seems as if the waiting is harder to endure than the actual knowing. That is why this morning my wife and I thanked God for the certainty of Heaven. There is no waiting to see how the tests came out; we know we passed with 100%, not because of what we did, but because of what Christ did. The certainty of Heaven now gives us the boldness to proclaim Christ as Savior.
She has just been diagnosed with bone cancer that was a result of the breast cancer. She has had lots of tests and we are in the process of waiting for the results to determine the treatment.
Often times it seems as if the waiting is harder to endure than the actual knowing. That is why this morning my wife and I thanked God for the certainty of Heaven. There is no waiting to see how the tests came out; we know we passed with 100%, not because of what we did, but because of what Christ did. The certainty of Heaven now gives us the boldness to proclaim Christ as Savior.
Thanksgiving 11-16-2001
At Thanksgiving, I like to make a list of those things I am thankful for. I thank God this year for: Jesus, the opportunities I have to reach out with the Gospel message, my family, the people I work with, technology that allows for more contacts and opportunities to witness, prayers – always answered (yes, no, not now), doctors, military personnel, peace that passes understanding, goods, and all that I need to sustain my body and soul.
I also thank God for you. I sometimes envy you and your position of being able to reach out, introduce people to Jesus, and see lives changed by the power of the Gospel. You are on the front lines.
I know many of you are praying for my wife and me as we experience her cancer and related treatments – thank you. I also pray daily for you. I pray for your wisdom and strength to continue to witness to your faith. In the words of St. Paul, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1: 16-23)
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration.
I also thank God for you. I sometimes envy you and your position of being able to reach out, introduce people to Jesus, and see lives changed by the power of the Gospel. You are on the front lines.
I know many of you are praying for my wife and me as we experience her cancer and related treatments – thank you. I also pray daily for you. I pray for your wisdom and strength to continue to witness to your faith. In the words of St. Paul, “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1: 16-23)
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving celebration.
Thanksliving 11/29/2001
Today I will eat the last of the turkey, the kids are all back at their homes and busy with their lives, the outside Christmas lights are hung and twinkle in the early dark of approaching winter - Thanksgiving must be over.
Now it is time to be about Thanksliving. I heard that word in devotions the other morning – I like that word – Thanksliving. It reminds me that every day is a gift to be used to the fullest.
God has granted me one more day to proclaim Jesus as Savior. God has granted me one more day to tell my wife, “I love you.” God has granted me one more day to drive to work and use my gifts and talents. I live in thanks to God for His gifts.
I also have one more day to experience His forgiveness – for today I will mess up – again. I say to myself, “Self, today you won’t get mad at those stupid drivers.” It took only ten minutes to get cut off and for me to react in anger. Thank God for angels that protect – that surround – that keep me from harm. Thank God for another opportunity to say, “I’m sorry.” We never know when our time on this earth will end.
Thanksgiving Day brought sadness into our lives as we heard that a friend of ours was killed feeding his bulls. The bull attacked and killed him in the field. We went to be with the family to comfort, but in turn was comforted as the wife proclaimed how her husband was now in heaven. She was sad by his departure, but glad for him.
Such it is with all of us – we live day to day – proclaiming the power of God in all that we do and say. I like Thanksliving.
Now it is time to be about Thanksliving. I heard that word in devotions the other morning – I like that word – Thanksliving. It reminds me that every day is a gift to be used to the fullest.
God has granted me one more day to proclaim Jesus as Savior. God has granted me one more day to tell my wife, “I love you.” God has granted me one more day to drive to work and use my gifts and talents. I live in thanks to God for His gifts.
I also have one more day to experience His forgiveness – for today I will mess up – again. I say to myself, “Self, today you won’t get mad at those stupid drivers.” It took only ten minutes to get cut off and for me to react in anger. Thank God for angels that protect – that surround – that keep me from harm. Thank God for another opportunity to say, “I’m sorry.” We never know when our time on this earth will end.
Thanksgiving Day brought sadness into our lives as we heard that a friend of ours was killed feeding his bulls. The bull attacked and killed him in the field. We went to be with the family to comfort, but in turn was comforted as the wife proclaimed how her husband was now in heaven. She was sad by his departure, but glad for him.
Such it is with all of us – we live day to day – proclaiming the power of God in all that we do and say. I like Thanksliving.