A "God"incidence

   Last night I got a text from a precious friend. I was totally blown away because what she texted me was what I'd studied at Bible study and shared with the ladies in my group.  When we have Bible study, we always joke that our pastors (all of us attend different churches) have been reading our studies.  Not sure how my friend got hold of it this week! It's one of those "God"incidences!
   So here's the part of the text:

"While spending time in prayer for you I couldn't get this out of my mind, 'Rest in His sufficiency.'  We talked about how God always takes care of us & thought of you..." 

   When I read the text, I thought about how amazing God is and how this confirmed the things He's been trying (and hopefully succeeding) to teach me.  Earlier in the evening my Bible study finished up II Corinthians.  We talked about II Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV: "But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." I also shared with the ladies a couple of the devotions I'd read that deal with trusting God to be enough and take care whatever I need.  Wow! 

   So what am I going to do? REST IN HIS SUFFICIENCY!

A Glorious Adventure...(and an update)

    Today, instead of telling the devotion from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young then commenting, I'm going to tell the devotion in pieces and comment as I go.  Had lots of things I thought about during the devotion! (I don’t like to read long blog posts, but sometimes I make exceptions.  Hopefully you will, too.)

My Favorite Adventure!

   "Living in dependence on Me is a glorious adventure.  Most people scurry around busily, trying to accomplish things through their own strength and ability.  Some succeed enormously; others fail miserably.  But both groups miss what life is meant to be: living and working in collaboration with Me."
   It's interesting, in my first post about this whole leukemia thing (Cancer Round Two!) I referred to this journey as an adventure. At the time, I didn’t see it as a “glorious” adventure. Now, looking back, I can see how it has been a glorious adventure.  In the Bible study I’m in on Wednesday night, we’ve been studying II Corinthians.  One of the things from that, in Chapter 1, verses 3-5, I've learned (again...remember this from the first go-round) is that God comes along side us when we go through adversity, then we are able to come along side others and comfort them because of what we go through. I’ve received emails from people who have read posts that God has used to bless them.  I was writing to work my way through this “adventure” and draw closer to God; God is taking what's been helping me to manage the adventure and using it for His good.  I learned that a lot of times I try to accomplish things through my own ability.  I’m reminded that I need to live and work in collaboration with God.  This reminds me of a study I was in several years ago (Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby) and a phrase that I’m reminded of often: “See where God’s at work and join Him.”
   “When you depend on Me continually, your whole perspective changes.  You see miracles happening all around, while others see only natural occurrences and “coincidences. You begin each day with joyful expectation, watching to see what I will do.”
   The good news is I think I’ve been learning to depend on God more and more over the years since I’ve been more and more in His Word.  I have noticed my perspective has changed little by little.  As a teacher, I’ve been able to pray through some pretty challenging situations and God has let me see students through His eyes of love and has done some miraculous things.  Finding this leukemia through a routine blood test during my last six month check-up from breast cancer was no coincidence…it was a “God”incidence! As Dr. B said, “It was God thing.”  I’m working on beginning each day with joyful expectation…joy seems to be my theme lately and I’m lovin’ it!
   “You accept weakness as a gift from me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to consecrated weakness.  You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far superior.  You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring that I live in you.  I in you and you in Me.  This is the intimate adventure I offer you.” (Acts 17:28, John 14:20-21)
   Still working on the weakness thing. (See the post My Natural Preference from August 31^st.) I find I am learning to keep my plans tentative.  You see, the thing that upset me initially when I got the call from Dr. B was this was going to wreck all the plans I had for the following week.  I was suppose to substitute for a friend in WW meetings, so I would have to get a subs for her meetings and my regular meetings.  I’d plan to clean out a file cabinet at school and get rid of it. I had plans to have lunch with friends, something we do every year.  Yes, my plans…not God’s plans.  Also learned I don’t have to understand. I have been told I plan too much and don’t give God room to work.  I always replied, “I’m making plans, but God can always change them.”  Didn’t realize how true that was! 
   This morning I started to catch up on the sermons I’ve missed over the last few weeks. (Still not suppose to attend church, but have permission to make it to Sunday School.) The one I listened to this morning (the one from the Sunday I went into the hospital) was perfect for me today.  It was “Worry to Trust” by Dr. Craig Shaw.  It’s about twenty-five minutes long and worth listening to. Go to rejoicechurch.podbean.com and scroll down to it.  Yes, God’s plans are superior to mine.  I don’t want to do it my way; I want to do it His way.  This is a daily learning experience for me.  I want to have the intimate adventure that consists of me living, moving, and having my being in Him.

Update:
   I've been home from the hospital a whole week and have two more weeks until the next phase of treatments.  Still get tired easy, but have been doing a little exercise (Dr. B said it was okay.). Did laundry today...love doing the "ordinary" things. Blood pressure still good.  God continues to be faithful and work His plans!

Things I'm Learning (and an update)

  Some of the nuggets from my devotional Jesus is Calling by Sarah Young (also available in an app):

You hear Me in the depths of your being.  The best response is a heart over-flowing with gratitude.  I am training you to cultivate a thankful mind-set.

   I can definitely say I've had a heart overflowing with gratitude and have been in a thankful mind-set.  God has shown Himself over and over in so many ways through people (some I don't even know), circumstances, and quiet moments.  As I was meditating on this (No...not chanting and clearing my mind...thinking on the devotion and scriptures) I thought about some of the things people had been saying.
   Most who know me know it's a bit hard for me to take compliments.  I never know how to respond.  While praying about this, I really think God was helping me to see what I need to do.  I need to take the compliments for what they are...encouraging words of love, concern, encouragement, and hope that bathe me in His presence.
   So anyway...here's what I believe I got from all of this:

• When people say I'm inspirational, point them to the One Who is True Inspiration...the Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of Life.
• When people say I'm strong, remember I'm week and point them to the One Who is Strong and Mighty in Power.
• When people say my faith will see me through, remember it's the One in Whom my faith is put...the Ever Faithful One..that will see me through.

     Ray Stedman, in Adventuring Through the Bible, p.571, says it so well:

When we freely admit that without Christ we can do nothing- and we live our lives accordingly, totally dependent on Him- then we discover that "we can do all things through Him that strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)and what an amazing discovery that is.

 Now after writing all this, I could probably best summarize it like this:

It's not about me; It's about Him.

Update:

       Wow...another good day! Nice visit from my sis this morning...scored a Hello Kitty toothbrush! Had some "no screen" rest time...I'm trying! Dayspring friend picked up supplies so she and her Bible study could help me complete a project. Bible study with pizza (got permission from doc) and great visit with special friends. On last chemo bag...told I still have to hang around for a while. Continue to learn so much about God's provision and awesome power! Very thankful and blessed to have the time and feel up to visiting with everyone...family, friends, hospital staff, etc.  I am well care for and well loved. I was a little sad today when I realized I would be missing my 29th School Kick-Off. Have I been teaching that long? This aging thing is not working well for me right now.  No worries...my school family is awesome!  Looking forward to returning; concentrating on doing what I'm suppose to be doing now.  Hanging out and watching God work!

There's more to come!

   So yesterday I wasn't exactly at my best.  I do remember being given a med for a headache that put me out just a bit.  I wanted to read some in my Bible study, but I had a hard time focusing.  Sis to the rescue!  She read a couple of chapters from Romans to me.  Wow...there was one part I said ,"Write that down please.  I'm going to need to read that later and I want to use it in my blog."  She did and here it is:

There's more to come.  We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.  In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged.                               Romans 5:3-5 The Message

   This is such a great reminder of how God, when we pursue a relationship with Him, prepares us for things we don't see coming. I saw how God prepared me for the first go-round with breast cancer. (Check out my blog post "Preparation for the Fight." ) I can see how over the last few weeks I've been getting prepared for this go-round with leukemia.
   During the last few weeks my Bible study group has been studying Acts from the book Adventuring Through the Bible by Ray Stedman. One part that really stuck with me was when discussing Paul's trials, it was pointed out that "obstacles and disappointments only advance the gospel." One of the things discussed was Paul's arrest and imprisonment.  Paul, being such a  "felonious fellow," was chained six hours at a time to one of the elite guards of the Roman army.  Is is any wonder that a large part of Caesar's household became Christians?  Because of Paul's imprisonment, other Christians were encouraged to take up the slack and began preaching boldly. While in prison, Paul wrote letters to the Church...Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians.
    Do I think God brought on this leukemia to teach me a lesson? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Do I think God can work through this obstacle to further His Kingdom and bring glory to His Name? ABSOLUTELY!  Am I always going to have a pleasant time and like what's happening? No, but I have my faith, family, and friends who will make sure I still experience joy in this part of my life's journey.

When God Doesn't Seem to Make Sense

   Habakkuk...maybe not the most famous of all prophets.  I found myself studying him this week; never realized he was a bit different from the other prophets.  While most of the prophets in the Bible are the in-your-face speakers of God's word to us, Habakkuk speaks our word to God.  He lets God know about our disappointment with trying to make sense out of everything.  (Check out the book of Habakkuk...it's only three chapters, but it's powerful.)
   This study kind of reminds me of some of the times I've wrestled with trying to make sense out of what God is doing. (Who am I kidding? This happens more often than I care to admit!) One particular time comes to mind.  When my precious friend G was at the end of her Earthly journey and her sister posted her final blog, I let God know exactly what I thought about Him allowing her to leave the Earth.  God, in His infinite wisdom, did not send a lightning bolt to fry me for my total disrespect.  Instead, He allowed me to "get it out of my system," cry myself out, grieve, and begin to experience the peace that His word speaks about for those who call Him Father. 
   I visited G's blog to read her final post and was reminded of my comment:

Hey Girl!
I'm not going to lie to you, I really want to lay down in the floor and thrown one hissy of a fit. I guess that's why God calls us His "children"...I know that I can act like a child. God doesn't call us to understand, but to trust, believe and obey. (But you know me...I want to understand and I want to be in charge and I want it my way. I actually had a really good idea: You know how teachers donate a day of sick leave? I told God I could convince at least 50 or so people to donate a year of life for you. Well, as you might have guessed, He didn't get back to me on that.) I can not put into words how blessed I am to share this short part of our journey together. Our long talks, adventure in Belize, wig shopping, helping me through that first chemo experience, the theater (sitting through Phantom), and so many other memories will bring smiles, tears and yes, the occasional eye roll. Your friendship and support will never be forgotten...I've got pictures! Your lifeprints are forever on my heart. I love you bunches!!!!
P.S. Please say hi to my mom and little brother (you'll actually get to meet him before me...don't tell him too many stories!)

   I really appreciated the following statements from Eugene Peterson in his introduction to Habakkuk in The Message.  Peterson is talking about How Habakkuk, in his bafflement and confusion waits and listens.

It is in his waiting and listening-which then turns into his praying-that he found himself inhabiting the large world of God's sovereignty.  Only there did he eventually realize that the believing-in-God life, the steady trusting-in-God life, is the full life, the only real life. Habakkuk started out exactly where we start out with our puzzled complaints and God-accusations, but he didn't stay there.  He ended up in a world, along with us, where every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

   So when I'm just "not getting it" and feel a bit out of control, I'm so glad I have God's word to put things in perspective.  I need reminders sometimes.  I think that's why I really like this Building 429 song to end this post and encourage myself to look forward to going home.

Spiritual Abundance Through Abiding

   I hesitated to start this book because I thought I already was familiar enough with the vine and branches illustration.  While at a conference, I won a tour of a vineyard, so I thought, “Are you trying to tell me something, Lord?”  Before reading this book I knew a vineyard grew grapes and produced wine.  I was aware of the illustration Jesus used in John 15, but never really thought much about it aside from the branches needing the vine to survive and thrive.  Secrets of the Vine for Women by Darlene Marie Wilkinson provides an understanding of the levels of fruitfulness of the Christian walk and the way to truly abide in Christ.  Using portions of a fictional story of a vinedresser’s daughter and her visit to her father’s vineyard, Wilkinson draws the parallels between the development of a vineyard with the development of fruit in a believer’s life.  The book is an easy read, but I would suggest it be taken a chapter at a time in order to let the truths revealed in each page take root in your life.  There is a study guide provided that lends itself to both individual and group study.  The book discusses fruit, more fruit,and much fruit (There is a difference!); pruning and its benefits; and abiding deeply.  In practical terms, Wilkinson explains these “secrets” so each can be lived out daily to have a more intimate walk with Christ.  There is a chart that summarizes the three seasons in God’s vineyard.  This book would appeal to the woman just beginning her faith journey as well as the woman who has traveled with Christ for years and desires to walk closer to Him daily.
   I received thsi book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.