~Riches in Grace~

Wednesday afternoon I spent with Jan. I took her to get her blood work done. Next we went and had lunch. Then we were off to look for a dress for her to wear for her son's wedding in June. We were very successful. She tried on several dresses and the first dress she tried on was the one we both liked the best. It is a simple but very classy dress. It will be just perfect. We had a really good day with lots of laughs.

She showed me her new hair growing back in. She had lost a lot of hair where she had the radiation treatment, but it is really coming back. She started back on her chemo last night. Please pray that she tolerates it well this week and especially that it is killing this cancer. She is having some mild headaches. It's always nerve racking because you don't know what is causing the headaches. She returns to M.D. Anderson on April 16. She wasn't scheduled for an MRI, but she has talked with them about the headaches, so most likely she will have an MRI. Please pray for good results.

"Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:16

Did you know God favors you? Not because you are the smartest; not because you have lots of talents; not because you do many good deeds--though all of these characteristics may be abundant in your life!

No, God favors you out of His deep, abiding love for you, a love that is not contingent upon any effort you put forth. In fact, if you declared yourself to be God's enemy today, He would love you just as much.

God's grace is a wonderful reality that is available for you right now. Here's some aspects of grace that just might be what you need to hear today--

*Grace means God loved you and knew you before you were even born. The prophet Jeremiah says on behalf of God:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (1:5).

*Grace provides the gift of salvation, a gift that can't be earned. Paul says: "I mean that you have been saved by grace through believng. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. It was not the results of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

*Grace is available to us when we are weak. Paul says: "So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

*Grace is sufficient for absolutely any need we have--whether health, finances, relationships, temptations, or any other need. Paul says: "My grace is enough for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

*Grace provides us with the strength we need to overcome temptation and live a victorious Christian life. Says Peter, "Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God" (2 Peter 1:3).

Whatever need we have in our life, be assured, God is on our side. He is ready and able to help us as we respond to Him with faith.

This is a very trying time for our family. To add insult to injury we have a fracture in our family. It absolutely breaks my heart that my sister is having to fight one of the most aggressive cancers, as well as dealing with this most petty family matter. We are pretty much at a loss as to how to remedy this situation at this time, other than by prayer. Prayer is very powerful and maybe instead of trying to figure out how to resolve this situation, we should just have our faces to the floor asking God to touch hearts and to handle this problem for us.

I would ask that you pray especially for Jan. Pray that the chemo, along with the other medications she is taking are working to kill this cancer. I would also ask that you pray for our family. We have a very difficulty situation here. I can see it taking a toll on my Mom. This breaks my heart!

Thanks!