~Potter's Wheel~

"The principle that suffering leads to glory is illustrated in Scripture by a vivid description of clay on the Potter's wheel--clay that was once cracked, shattered and broken, clay that was totally useless and ugly. The Potter took the clay and broke it down even farther, grinding it into dust then moistening it with water before He put it on His wheel and began to remake it into a vessel pleasing to Himself. The cracks and chips and broken pieces disappeared as the clay became soft and pliable to the Potter's touch. He firmly applied pressure on some areas, touched lightly on other areas, added more clay to a specific spot that needed filling in, and removed clay that hindered the shape that would make it useful for His ultimate purpose. As He turned the wheel, His loving, gentle hands never left the clay as He molded and made it after His will.

Finally, the potter finished remolding the clay and took it off the wheel. Under his skilled, gentle hands, the once--ugly clay had been transformed into a vessel that had shape and clay had been transformed into a vessel that had shape and purpose. He added color, carefully painting on a unique design. But the clay was still soft and weak, the color dull and drab. So the Potter placed the vessel into the fiery kiln, carefully keeping His eye on it as He submitted it to the raging heat. At a time He alone determined was sufficient, the Potter withdrew the pot from the furnace. The blazing heat had radically transformed the clay into a vessel of strength and glorious, multicolored beauty. Then the Potter put it in His showcase so that others might see the revelation of His glory in the work of His hands. (See Jeremiah 18)

Is the Potter molding--or remolding--you, using . . .

pressure or problems?
stress or suffering?
hurt or heartache?
illness or injustice?

Has He now placed you in the fire so that circumstances are heating up with intensity in your life? Then would you just trust the Potter to know exactly what He is doing?

For the child of God, suffering is not wasted. It's not an end in itself. Scripture reminds us, "We have the treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. . .For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (See 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; 17)

The spiritual principle is that in some way God uses suffering to transform ordinary, dust-clay people into . . .

vessels that are strong in faith . . .
vessels that are fit for His use . . .
vessels that display His glory to the watching world."
Taken from "Why?" by Anne Graham Lotz

This is the principle so powerfully illustrated in the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John 11.

Have you seen this principle at work personally--in your life; lives of family and friends? I believe it to be true by my own experience.

Lord, you're the potter and I am the clay. Mold and make me after thy Will.

~Hillsong Live - Healer~

~Prayer~

About 5 years ago I became friends with a single mom who was a manicurist at a salon where I used to go. At that time she had a 3-year-old boy and needed to work evenings a couple of days a week. We made arrangements for her son to go with me to church on Wednesday nights.


In the last couple of weeks her Mom has been having some health problems which has led to testing. They received the news Friday that her Mom has lung cancer. It is inoperable as there is a 3 cm mass that is around the aorta at the top of her lung.


Please pray for Joyce. She is facing some very big decisions. She has 3 daughters who are in their late 20's. She has a grandson, E. who is now 7 and one of her daughters is pregnant. And please pray for God to soften her heart. She is not a Christian and doesn't want any part of it. This is a very close family and they are really hurting.


They will be seeing a local oncologist Monday about treatment options and are considering treatment at M.D. Anderson.


This is an all too familiar place where they are, except they desparately need a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. I can't imagine having to walk this journey without God.


I just recently put the following a few weeks ago when Jan was in the midst of all these tests and we were waiting for results. I think it is most appropriate to add again.


Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good… It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn’t left it all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith…


Faith is the belief that God will do what is right


God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation. The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater need for light.


God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it,

From: Max Lucado’s “God’s Promises for You”

Please pray God gives this family an abundance of Peace, Faith and Hope. Also pray for treatment options. AND, please pray for God to work in their hearts and lives to bring a softening and a yearning to only walk this journey WITH CHRIST!

Please pray for E. He is so young and has had some hard times in his young life.

Blessings,

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday ~ Potters Hand~

Isaiah 64:8 ~ Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Romans 9:20-21 ~ But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Isaiah 19:25 ~ The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."

I've been hooked on this song this week, so I thought it only appropriate I use it for my song tonight. I pray I allow God to be the potter and I the clay. Make me, mold me and use me!

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

~Thankful Thursday~

*


Ephesians 1:3 ~"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

1 Peter 1:3 ~ "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

Isaiah 49:13 ~ "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

2 Corinthians 7: 6,7,13 ~ "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you."

*Thank you Lord for Life;

*Thank you for blessings;

*Thank you for sending your Son so that we may have HOPE of new life;

*Thank you for better results on all Jan's recent testing. This is certainly a PRAISE;

*Thank you for modern medicine and all it can do;

*Thank you for being a Father who comforts me;

*Thank you for comments left on by blog. Only through you I can offer care, comfort and encouragment to others;

*Thank you for providing the rest I needed last week;

*Thank you for local friends; and blogging friends.

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris at Sting My Heart.

~Results & Treatment~ SEE WFW BELOW

Mom called awhile ago with the results of Jan's office visit with her oncologist.

First let me say, the results show that there is not actually new tumor, but where there was still tumor has started to grow. BUT, it is very minimal. In order to determine this growth they had to take the MRI, MRS and the PET CT scan and incorporate these studies together. They were unable to see the minimal growth on the studies individually. This is a new software program that M.D. Anderson has and Jan is the first one they've used it on. We are very thankful for this new software and especially thankful for "minimal growth."


Because of the growth they are changing treatment plans. It is a treatment Jan will be able to do at home and it is 2 oral medications. I've pulled the clinical trial on this, but haven't reviewed it as of yet. They will return to M.D. Anderson next Wednesday for testing to make sure she qualifies for this treatment.


Thank you for your prayers!

~WFW~ Strength~

Jan, Gerald and my Mom will be meeting with Jan's oncologist at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to discuss a new treatment plan. If you haven't seen the final results ~ it is necrosis mixed with new tumor. See below for full update.

Please pray for the following:

1) Pray for the appointment. Please pray that God will work in Jan, Gerald and Mom so that they can understand the treatment options. Pray that they will also know in their hearts which treatment is the best for Jan.

2) Pray that the treatment Dr. Gilbert offers is the BEST treatment for Jan and not simply one of his clinical trials.

3) Pray as she gets ready to embark on this new treatment that there will be minimal side effects, but maximum results.

4) Pray for PEACE and UNDERSTANDING.

5) Pray for our family that we will all be ready and available to do whatever is necessary as we walk this journey with Jan.

6) Pray if the best option is surgery again that she will have GREAT results with no deficits or complications.

7) Pray for safe travel home.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods

~Final Results~

Jan's oncologist from M.D. Anderson called this morning and the results of the PET CT scan show a combination of necrosis (dead tissue) and new tumor. While this is not the results we were looking for, there are still many options. God is in control here. It is my desire that I can Praise God no matter what the circumstance. There is so much to be thankful for.

Jan has been off treatment now for two weeks and her counts are recovering, so she is stronger and she is ready to fight until this tumor is gone.

Jan, Gerald and our Mother will be leaving Tuesday for M.D. Anderson. Jan has an appointment scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. to discuss new treatment options. We've been keeping up with treatment options and clinical trials for GBM. I will getting this information to Jan, Gerald and Mom tonight and also looking for anything else I might have missed.

I would ask that you pray for safe travels, wisdom in choosing the correct treatment plan, wisdom for Dr. Gilbert in what he offers to Jan, as well as wisdom as they all discuss these options.

Pray that our family will once again join forces and do what we can to help Jan as she starts on another phase of this journey. Please pray for PEACE and UNDERSTANDING. You don't want the people you care about to suffer. We trust God in His plans even though we don't understand what they may be at this time. He is much wiser than we are and He can see the bigger picture.

Matthew 18:19-20 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

"Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good… It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn’t left it all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith…Faith is the belief that God will do what is right God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation. The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater need for light. God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it."
Taken From: Max Lucado’s “God’s Promises for You”

Thanks so much,

~Trust God's Goodness~

Revelation 21:4 NIV ~ He will wipe every tear from their eyes...


One day God will call us forth from the dead, and we will rise again! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! All of our suffering will be over, and God Himself "'will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said ...., 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" (Rev. 21:4-5 NIV)


When you don't understand why, just trust Him!


Trust His heart!
Trust His purpose!
Trust His goodness!
Trust His plan to be bigger than yours!


Trust Him because . . . God is enough.


Taken from: The Joy of My Heart Devotion/Why?

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday~ All I Can Say

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

Bridge:
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

The lyrics to this song "All I Can Say" by David Crowder Band reminds me of the Poem "Footprints." We're too wrapped up in our problem(s) to notice that God is carrying us or holding us. He is there at all times helping us!

Tonight, I'm tired, both emotionally and physically. I know God is here to carry me.

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

~Thankful Thursday~

*



*I am thankful for oue GOD; for all that He is; and all that He will ever be. Without Him, I would be nothing.
*I'm thankful for GOOD preliminary results.
*I'm thankful Ripley got his pin out of his elbow today. We are finished with surgery. And, today's visit did not cost us anything.

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris at Sting My Heart.

~Preliminary Results~ See WFW Below

I guess it is just a little difficult to have a PET CT scan which takes about 2 hours and then turn right around and see your oncologist. Maybe modern medicine needs to step it up a little more....or is God wanting us to learn to wait...or have a little patience?

The appointment with the oncologist went well. The preliminary results are in. And....they look good. I spoke with Jan and it is their understanding that Dr. Gilbert has had a look at both the MRI Spectroscopy and the PET CT scan. Dr. Gilbert will be giving Jan a call on Monday with the final report of the PET CT scan. So until then, we wait...

Please pray God provides an abundance of PEACE and FAITH as we wait patiently...

~WFW~ ~God Heals~

God Heals
Remember when you heard the words-
and your mind went blank-you were in another world
God heals
Remember in your darkest hours-
when all that surrounds you is pain and sorrow
God heals
Remember friends' prayers-your family's encouragement
~glimmers of HOPE from everyday angels
God heals
Quiet...you can hear them now-
always there-yet never this close
God heals
It's just another day-
Yet everything has changed-and you hear yourself say
God heals
Birds are singing-
the sky is a beautiful blue-flowers are blooming..
God heals
Truths that you knew as a child-
awakened again with new understanding
God heals
Remember when other's can't-
that life is a gift-each day to treasure
God Has Healed
~Author Unknown

If you haven't seen my post below~ we found out this morning that Jan's MRI Spectroscopy was also inconclusive. We are standing on our faith, trusting God, that this is good news. They are moving forward with a PET CT scan @ 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. She will then see her oncologist @ 9:30 a.m. for results and future plans.

Please join us as we continue to pray for NECROSIS (DEAD TISSUE)!! Please also pray for Jan and Gerald as they prepare for yet another test and her oncology appointment, as well as possible new treatment plan.

Please pray for God's hand to be on everyone and everything that has a part in Jan's care and treatment. We've seen evidence of this already today. See below for an awesome story!

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods

~MRI SPECTROSCOPY INCONCLUSIVE ~ ~NEXT STEP~

Today, I am thankful that when Jan has her testing at M.D. Anderson the results are available IMMEDIATELY. We did not think we would know the results of the MRI Spectroscopy today, but we do. They are also inconclusive. What this means, we are not sure.

The next step is a PET CT scan scheduled for tomorrow morning, Wednesday, June 18 @ 7:00 a.m. Jan will then see her oncologist at 9:30 a.m.

Please join us in praying that the PET CT scan shows the areas in question to be nothing more than NECROSIS (DEAD TISSUE).

Matthew 18:19-20
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

"Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good… It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn’t left it all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith…
Faith is the belief that God will do what is right
God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation. The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater need for light.
God’s help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it,"
Taken From: Max Lucado’s “God’s Promises for You”

~Praying For Our Enemies~

Here is a portion of an article that I felt was most fitting for today. This article or a portion of it may apply to something you are dealing with now, recently or in the future:

"Enemies are the people who have been the most hurtful, caused the most suffering and produced the most devastating effects in our lives. They are often those who have been close to us. They may be people who have had considerable influence over us in some way. Their words and actions have created deep scars or left gaping wounds in our heart and mind.

Even as we strive to forgive them, we can be overwhelmed by the havoc and anguish that still remains. God’s solution may seem untenable or irrational to us. “Therefore ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head’” (Romans 12:20).

The instruction becomes clearer when we consider the exhortation of Jesus Christ. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you… Therefore you shall be perfect [Greek teleios, complete, mature], just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44, 48).

When we begin to pray for our enemies, we begin to diminish their effect upon our lives and end an adversarial relationship. Through the process of asking God to bless and forgive
them, our revenge and hurtful feelings begin to leave. The more we pray for them, the more the negative feelings toward them diminish. As we request blessings and healing for our enemies, our own healing will begin to take place.

In certain cases of personal injury, anger or rage, we may feel the need to ask God to remove the pain from our life and grant us His peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

I have a couple of personal matters that need prayer. Please pray God's will.

"Psalm 13: 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him! Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me."

~Without Christ~

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be." John 12:26

Jesus encouraged His disciples by promising, "where I am, my servant also will be." There is nothing in this world that I desire more than the presence of Jesus in my life.

Nothing . . .

not houses or honors or health,
not cars or careers or children,
not money or marriage or ministry,
not fame or family or freedom,
not promotion or pleasures or position,
not strength or success,
not ability or achievement,
not even love or life itself.

Nothing!

What would it be like NOT to have Christ in your life? I think it would be hell --literally.
Devotion Taken from My Heart's Cry ~ Anne Graham Lotz

Saturday evening we celebrated my Mom's birthday. It is actually tomorrow. So, Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Father's Day to Dad who is in Heaven and to our Heavenly Father.

The picture below is from left to right: Donna, Mom, Jan and Me.

For Mom's birthday we picked out some rocks and you can see on
the one above we put "Mom ~ we love you" with our names.

On the rock to the right, we had a portion of Joshua 24:15. There
is a man I found who sandblasts the rocks. He can either paint in the letters or he can sandblast where the lettering is raised. I've seen some of his other work and he is outstanding.

This rock to the left with Hebrews 3:4 is a rock that I had done for myself. I have my rock sitting on my front porch, as does Mom.

Our Mom really likes rocks and we thought this was something different.

<>When I don't understand why, I trust Him because ... God understands my feelings.

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday~ Amazing Grace~

2 Corinthians 12:9:"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."

Hebrews 4:16:"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

1Peter 5:10:"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

2John 1:3:"Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love."

No matter what our circumstances, we should still praise God our Father. Where would we be without Him? We do not know what tomorrow hold. He has all our futures mapped out.

Lamentations 3:21-23: "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Please remember Jan as she tests Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. and meets with her oncologist Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. JOIN US AS WE PRAY FOR DEAD TISSUE!

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

~Thankful Thursday~

I'm thankful with God all things are possible. There are no limitations. Nothing is too big. Nothing is too small.

I am THANKFUL With God, I can have:

Hope; Peace; Love for Others; Forgiveness; I can pray; Trust; Wisdom; Free of Worry; I can Worship; Protection; Salvation; Mercy; and Patience. The list goes on and on.

Please remember Jan and our family. Jan/Gerald will fly to M.D. Anderson Monday evening for a MRI Spec that will be Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. The radiologist will watch the MRI to see if there is blood flowing through the areas in question. Please pray there is none. They will see her oncologist Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the results and future plans. They will then fly back to Oklahoma where her youngest son is getting married Friday evening.

I'm so thankful for all the prayers being said on Jan's behalf, as well as our family. This means so very much to us.

Matthew 18:19-20

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris at Sting My Heart.

~WFW~ Strength~

As it stands now, Jan/Gerald will fly to Houston for testing and to see her oncologist Tuesday, 6/17 and Wednesday, 6/18. Our family is trusting that the tumors are not active. In saying that, we need your prayers. But most especially, Jan needs your prayers. She's handling this well, but this also was not what she wanted to hear last week, so it has been difficult for her. She's been fighting this cancer for 7 months. The physical, as well as emotional part of this journey has got to be extremely heavy. Please lift her up in your prayers. Prayer for PEACE, NO TUMOR GROWTH, POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND OVERALL FEELING WELL.


Her labs results were pretty low last week, so they've taken her off of everything except the steroids. She is feeling better in this regard, but she has no protection at this time in regards to the tumor. Please ask God to place a hedge of protection around her that will not allow Satan to touch Jan in any way.


Please pray for our family that we will remain steadfast in our Faith and that we will not give in to Fear. Nothing can rob you of joy, confidence, optimism and opportunities more quickly than a spirit of fear.


To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods

~Why~

I lay my "whys?"

before Your cross

in worship kneeling,

my mind beyond all hope,

my heart beyond all feeling;

and worshipping,

realize that I

in knowing You,

don't need a "why?"

--Ruth Bell Graham

Why? Why does God let bad things happen to good people?

to innocent people?

to helpless people?

to defenseless people?

to children?

to me?

Sometimes His ways seem so hard to understand!

Through all these avenues, realizing there are no pat answers to the age-old question of suffering, and no "new truth," we can cling to the spiritual principle operating in the life of a child of God that . . .

gives meaning to our meaninglessness

and hope to our hopelessness

and reason to our senselessness

and purpose to our aimlessness

and strength to our weakness

and courage to our faintheartedness

and blessed deliverance from our bitterness.

It's a principle . . .

that helps balance the pain,

that can remove the sting from our suffering,

that can prevent us from wasting our sorrows,

that is worth our focused attention.

This principle emerged into sharp visibility when Jesus gave His life on the Cross, was buried, and on the third day arose from the dead to give eternal life to any and all who would place their faith in Him.

On a day still to come, this same principle will be thrillingly displayed when the intense suffering that characterizes the final generation in human history gives "birth" to the glorious return to earth of God's Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul somewhat understated this same principle in Romans 8:28: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Paul was reminding the children of God they can be confident that . . .

all things work together for good,

brokenness leads to blessing,

death leads to life,

and suffering leads to glory!

In our world today, God's children need that same reminder to trust Him when we don't understand and nothing seems to make sense.

We can look at the Gospel of John, chapter 11. This is the story of Lazarus, a beloved friend of Jesus who became seriously ill. It's also the story of Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha, who struggled to understand why Jesus hadn't intervened and healed their brother. While both sisters sent word to Jesus, Mary's faith seemed to collapse when things got worse while Martha's small tendril of faith was developed until she saw the glory of God in her brother's life.

The above is excerpts are taken from the book "Why?" written by Anne Graham Lotz.

We are going to have trials and suffer while we are here on earth. God wants us to trust Him at all times. He can use the most agonizing, baffling trials for growth, as well as for His glory. We will only find comfort in His presence.

~Trusting God~

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Corrie Ten Boom

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Daily trusting in God--acknowledging that He is the one source of all good gifts and success and the ONLY safe refuge when life is difficult--steers us from the dangers of pride and despair.

Jesus once pointed to a little child and said, "I tell you the truth, you must change and become like children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child" (Matthew 18:3-4). A child's humility is one of trust--it pleases God when we trust Him as a child trusts and depends on his father.

James points out that trials test and prove our faith (James 1:1-3), but we don't have to wait for challenging moments to begin trusting God with our entire life. The good news is that with complete and total trust in Him, He directs our steps in the most fulfilling paths for our lives.

James 1:1-3

How to Live as a Christian

"1From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To all of God's people who are scattered everywhere in the world:

Greetings.

Faith and Wisdom
2My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy,
3 because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience."

2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me."

God Promises He Will:

Hear Our Prayers ~ Psalms 18:6
Refine Us ~ Zechariah 13:9
Give Us Refuge ~ Isaiah 4:5-6
Eventually End Our Trials ~ Isaiah 19:20

There is a reason why my sister has to suffer here on earth with brain cancer, as well as a reason why my Dad had cancer and my cousin has leukemia, and why Gracie has had open heart surgery at the age of 6 months. Most likely I will never know the reasons why until I get to Heaven and then I probably won't care and most likely you will never know the reasons why your family and the people you care about have to suffer and why some have to leave this earth sooner than we would like.

If they are Christians, then they are the lucky ones. They are now living in Heaven with Jesus where there is no more sin. There is no sickness, no pain, no problems, and no unhappiness. It's all GOOD!

When we suffer here on earth with sickness or with trials and we are weak, God's grace is sufficient. That's all we need. I do trust that God knows what is best. Please pray for our family as we travel down this road of uncertainty. We ask that you pray for PEACE and GUIDANCE.

Please pray our family will have a song in our mouths, as well as a song of praise to our God and that many people will see us worshiping and trusting Him with our lives and circumstances.

Psalm 40:3-5

"3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord. 4 Happy is the person who trusts the Lord, who doesn't turn to those who are proud or to those who worship false gods. 5 Lord my God, you have done many miracles. Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count."

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday ~ You Raise Me Up~

Psalms 89: 5-18

II Corinthians 4: 7-9, 16-17

UPDATES & PRAYER REQUESTS:

Please remember Jan. I know this questionable MRI is weighing on her. She also is worn out from the quick trip to Houston and back. My Mom told me just a bit ago that Jan also found out today that their insurance is denying coverage on this new study. I'm going to work on getting the insurance company to reconsider this. Please pray that they will, so they don't have to pay for it out of pocket. Also, remember Jan's husband. He works for OG&E and worked before they left for Houston, drove to Houston and back, then worked from very early Thursday morning to 3:45 a.m. because of storms here and then went back out at his normal time and worked late tonight.

"Peace" ~ Please pray for Jan and our family to have a sense of Peace. We are getting together tomorrow night, so this will be good.

Gracie ~ I got a couple of emails from my cousin, Brooke, Gracie's Mommy today. The CT results are in. She does not have hydrocephalus which is GREAT. However, she does have a subdural hematoma and she has evidence of have a mild stroke. The bleed is not active and the stroke is not new. They are thinking this occurred at the time of her surgery. Please pray that Gracie doesn't have any long term side effects from this.

I also have another couisin who has leukemia and in the next few months is facing the possibility of going on a clinical trial. They have been unable to get her in remission with a pill-form of chemo. Pray for peace and knowledge in here also.

Pray for all the doctors who are involved with each of the above. Pray for the best possible treatments to be offered with excellent results.

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

~Compassion~

II Corinthians 1:3-5(NIV)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

We have physical scars that are visible to the eye showing injuries we've sustained throughout our lifetime. There are also emotional scars that we carry within us from past hurts, wrong choices, etc. From the time we enter this world until the time we leave, our history is being written and we are being molded. There are things in my past that I'm not proud of, but as time goes on I've come to understand that God can use me, with all my failures, mistakes and brokenness, in a way that will honor Him.

A couple of weeks ago on TSMSS ~ the song I picked was a song by Point of Grace. See the lyrics as follows:

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretendI never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away

Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar
Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

God doesn't want us to ignore or run from our past. He wants to comfort us. Then when we are able, he want us to comfort others.

Update on Jan

1) The dates I previously gave for Jan to return to M.D. Anderson are not confirmed. A Radiologist has to be there when the more extensive MRI is being run.

2) There are 2 areas in question where the radiologist will specifically be looking to see if there is blood flowing through. (One area is where there was a very small spot and radiation was performed; and the other area was where she had resection of as much tumor as was able to be removed, along with radiation) If there is blood flowing through these areas, then this would mean the tumors are active and growing. If NOT, then is is dead tissue or necrosis. I would ask that you please join our family in praying this is dead tissue/necrosis.

3) Besides being exhausted from the quick trip to M.D. Anderson and home, Jan is mentally exhausted. On her blog she states, "Let's all just keep on praying. This has brought me way down. I need to be uplifted in prayer. I am trying to be strong but it is hard."

We can only imagine what it feels like to be in her shoes. I ask that you claim Isaiah 40:31:
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."