“God Has Hung His Diploma in the Universe and Accomplishments in Scripture””

 I was working recently in London — what a thrill, yeah. But I wasn’t used to their money, though, ’cause I bought this really decadent box of chocolates. The cashier said, “That’ll be 10 pounds.” I’m like, “Rub it in, why don’t you?” 
—Carol Leifer

 

One of the things I did when I was doctor hunting was to look at credentials and experience: like how long surgeons had been exclusively doing breast surgery, was breast cancer specifically their oncology specialty, etc.  Of particular interest to me were the opinions of others who had already seen them as patients.  I also was happy to find doctors who were willing to monitor me while I tried the natural medicine route and be there for me as needed.    I REALLY was hoping that God was going to do the surgery Himself and completely heal me without those doctors (how I wish He had!), but God is in control and I am confident He knows what’s best for me.

 

In the book Fearless that I am reading, Max Lucado talked about how anxious he felt when he was dealing with a serious health issue and researching his diagnosis and options.  From that experience, he invites the reader to imagine being “in God’s office” and to take a look at and focus on HIS credentials.

 

 “God has hung his diplomas in the universe. Rainbows, sunsets, horizons, and star sequined skies. He has recorded his accomplishments in Scripture. We’re not talking six thousand hours of flight time. His resume includes Red Sea openings. Lions’ mouths closings. Goliath topplings. Lazarus raisings. Storm stillings and strollings. “(Max Lucado)

 

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is they faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him'” (Lamentations 3:21-24 RSV)

 

 

I have been through the valley of weeping,

 

The valley of sorrow and pain;

 

But the “God of all comfort” was with me,

 

At hand to uphold and sustain.

 

As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine,

 

Our souls need both sorrow and joy;

 

So He places us oft in the furnace,

 

The dross from the gold to destroy.

 

When he leads through some valley of trouble,

 

His omnipotent hand we trace;

 

For the trials and sorrows He sends us,

 

Are part of His lessons in grace.

 

Oft we run from the purging and pruning,

 

Forgetting the Gardener knows

 

That the deeper the cutting and trimming,

 

The richer the cluster that grows.

 

Well He knows that affliction is needed;

 

He has a wise purpose in view,

 

And in the dark valley He whispers,

 

“Soon you’ll understand what I do.”

 

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley,

 

Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses,

 

Are blessings just sent in disguise.

 

So we’ll follow wherever He leads us,

 

Let the path be dreary or bright;

 

For we’ve proved that our God can give comfort;
Our God can give songs in the night.

 

(Streams in the Desert)

 

 

 

 Lord, every single good gift comes from You…  

 

 

 

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

396. I only need to look in the Bible and the world around me to see that “God has hung his diplomas in the universe. Rainbows, sunsets, horizons, and star sequined skies. He has recorded his accomplishments in Scripture. We’re not talking six thousand hours of flight time. His resume includes Red Sea openings. Lions’ mouths closings. Goliath topplings. Lazarus raisings. Storm stillings and strollings. “(Max Lucado)  I am in excellent Hands!

 

397. The true story of Karla Faye Tucker in the movie ,Forevermore that we saw last night http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485775/  Wow.  NOBODY is too hard for God to make brand new.

 

Paula

P.S. I go to the Cancer Center today to receive my every- 21 -day-for- a -year  IV Herceptin.  On Wednesday there is more prep for the treatment plan for radiation to either start this week or next.  I would appreciate continued prayer for His protection during all these treatments, His complete healing of the cancer as well as elimination of the neuropathy from the chemo, and for God to restore my left arm.  Thank you!

“Making Friends With Whatever’s Next”

An old man lived alone in Idaho. He supported himself by growing potatoes in his large potato garden. One Spring morning, about planting time, he wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Bubba:

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my potato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me.

Love, Dad

A few days later, he received a letter from his son.

Dear Dad:

For goodness sake, Dad, don’t dig up that garden. That’s where I buried the BODIES.

Love, Bubba

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local Police showed up and dug up the entire area, but after they looked everywhere, they didn’t find any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.
That same day, the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Dad:

Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. It’s the best I could do under the circumstances.

Love, Bubba

——————————————

“These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Cor. 4:17 CEV).”

 

Make Friends With Whatever’s Next

 

“Embrace it. Accept it. Don’t resist it. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of God’s strategy. To use us to change the world, he alters our assignments.Gideon: from farmer to general; Mary: from peasant girl to the mother of Christ; Paul: from local rabbi to world evangelist. God transitioned Joseph from a baby brother to an Egyptian prince. He changed David from a a shepherd to a king. Peter wanted to fish the Sea of Galilee. God called him to lead the first church. God makes reassignments.

But, someone might ask, what about the tragic changes God permits? Some seasons make no sense…do such moments serve a purpose?

They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this life will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb.

I know you don’t remember this prenatal season, so let me remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame…for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence.

Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn’t breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother’s belly. But aren’t you glad you have them now?

Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the preborn. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for pregrave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Cor. 4:17 CEV).”

 

—By Max Lucado in Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

                                                         

                                        

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…  

 (From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/
390. A precious family to love and be loved by

 391. All thanks and praise to my God for Whom there are no impossibilities, only limitless possibilities

 

392. Bit by bit gleaning eternal perspective:  the hard stuff about the trials I go through “that make no sense in this life but will make perfect sense in the next.  The proof: me in the womb” … “But what if this earth is the womb?” (Max Lucado)

 

393. Many recent lessons in the sweetness of “Giving thanks to God anyways… always … in everything.” (Voskamp) 

 

394. Learning to “make friends with whatever is next” (Fearless by Max Lucado)

 

395.  God opening my eyes to see Him scheduling and making me available for Divine Appointments

“Who can face a Tyrannosaurus Rex? The Lord.”

 

 

http://www.churchmice.net/

Cartoon used with permission.  If not visible to email subscribers may be viewed at http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/

 

————————————

 

From a blog Feb 27, 2008  http://www.pioneerbible.org/cms/tiki-view_blog.php?sort_mode=created_desc&blogId=2&find=fariss

 

“Pioneer Bible Translators has received word that one of our missionary families to West Africa, Yancy and Sherry Fariss, lost their village home to a fire earlier this week.
Everyone made it out of the house safely with only minor injuries to Yancy, the
father, and Debra, the 7-month-old baby.

Yancy reported that the fire burned pretty much everything in the house. He thanks the Lord that their car, computer and language data were spared, along with some odds and ends that were close to the door.

The Fariss family reported that their African neighbors in the village where they work were a great blessing to them. Many cried for them and some even wailed and threw dirt in the air to show their pain.

Sherry said that the three older Fariss children cried, prayed and even praised God for His protection as the house burned. William, age 7, wrote a psalm while he watched the house burn about how God is with us even in devastation. (See the bottom of this blog to read the actual psalm.) The children are mourning, but they are also rejoicing that everyone is okay.

Sherry writes, “Yancy and I are thankful for the things we were able to save and regretful about our losses. But we pray that God somehow uses this loss for the growth of His Kingdom among the people of West Africa.”

The following psalm was written by William Fariss, age 7, while he watched his house burn …

Through wind and rain Through fire and lava
The Lord will never leave you.
Through earthquakes and floods Through changing sea levels and
burning ash
The Lord will never leave you.
If you love Him, He will bless you
and He will give you many things.
Who can change the Lord’s words?
Who can stop the Leviathan?
The Lord, of course.
Who made everything?
Who made the animals?
Who made the dinosaurs?
The Lord, our God.
Who can stop the Lord?
Who can chase a cheetah across the
plains of Africa?
The Lord, He can.
Who can stand on Mount
Everest?
Who can face a rhinoceros?
The Lord.
The Lord can give you sheep and
goats and cows and ducks and chickens and dogs and cats.
The Lord can give you anything He
wants to.
Just like David fought Goliath or
Daniel lived throughout the lions’ den.
Just like Moses on the mountain,
just like the Israelites fought the Jebusites.
The Lord will never stop His
power.
Who can face a tyrannosaurus rex?
Who knows what kind of animals
lived thousands of years ago?
The Lord! He knows.
Stop all the evil, and be kind to
one another.
Who can stop the Lord?
Who can face an elephant?
Who is brave enough to face a
lion?
The Lord.
Who’s as fast as a horse?
Who can catch a blue whale?
Who is brave enough to face a
giant squid?
The Lord.
Just as Jesus died on the cross,
so the Lord had done so.
The Lord will never leave His
people. The Bible is His word.
The Lord is a good leader.
Just as Moses and Aaron led the Israelites
into the desert, so the Lord had done so.
Who can see the dinosaurs? Who can
face the behemoth?
The Lord who loves you.
And He will not forsake His
people. The end.

 

---

 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…  

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

381. 7 year old William Farris’ psalm that he wrote after his house and belongings burned to the ground.  “Who can face a Tyrannosaurus Rex?  The Lord.”

382. Yesterday’s lovely gift of pampering: the scalp and hand massage, my make up done, my wig re-styled, the sweet time with fellow breast cancer survivors, all the women with such huge, giving hearts that made it possible

383. “Feed my fears, and my faith will starve.  Feed my faith, and my fears will.” I will feed my faith today and every day.

384. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.

385. His mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning.

386. Great is His faithfulness.

387. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

388. “God does not want us to be like greenhouse plants, which are sheltered from rough weather, but like storm-beaten oaks; not like sand dunes that are driven back and forth by every gust of wind but like granite mountains that withstand the fiercest storms.  Yet to accomplish this, He must take us into His testing room of suffering.  And many of us need no other argument than our own experiences to prove that suffering is indeed God’s testing room of faith.” J.H. M. (Streams in the Desert)  Father, please make me an oak, like a granite mountain while I am here in this testing room of suffering, this testing room of faith!

389.”He will wipe away 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.”  Revelation 21:4

 

 

More on “Living a Life of Prayer”

 

The message in this cartoon sure didn’t work out that way for me!  Ah well…. 

 

“The Swiss have an interesting army. Five hundred years without a war. Pretty impressive. Also, pretty lucky for them. Ever see that little Swiss Army knife they have to fight with? Not much of a weapon there. Corkscrews. Bottle openers. “Come on, buddy, let’s go. You get past me, the guy in back of me, he’s got a spoon. Back off. I’ve got the toe clippers right here.” 
—Jerry Seinfeld

 

 Everything you have on your car has a very specific function with the exception of one thing: the instrument panel dimmer switch. Why was this invented? Are people’s eyes too sensitive for the five-watt bulb behind the speedometer? It’s like, “Oh, don’t worry about those oncoming headlights, but this odometer light — it’s burning my retina.” 
—Wayne Federman

 

Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I’m halfway through my fish burger and I realize, “Oh…, I could be eating a slow learner.” 
—Lynda Montgomery

 

 

 

 

————————————————

Below are some notes that I received from friends that are leading a Bible Study on Living a Life of Prayer by Jennifer Dean.  I hope these thoughts are a blessing to you too.  A great big thank you to all who share with me some of the things God is teaching you too.  I absolutely love it when people do that!   I am very grateful for all the prayers and for the input you guys have in my life.

 

“We had a good Bible Study this evening studying chapter 3 on the Necessity of Prayer.  Just a recap of some of the things we discussed:-Andrew Murray said: “God’s intense longing to bless seems in some sense to be graciously limited by His dependence on the intercession that rises from earth.”  We talked about whether God is limited in what He can do depending on whether we pray or not.  We decided that He willingly decided to include us in the equation of what happens and has allowed us the privilege of being part of what happens on earth through prayer.  God is not ‘needy’ in that He needs us.  According to Jennifer , God needs us because He chose to.”His sovereign decree is the His specific, intervening will in any situation will be released onto the earth by means of prayer.”  James 4:2 says we have not because we ask not.She gives a picture of the needs on earth and God’s will in heaven. “Sin caused a gap between what God has prepared and is ready to release and what is happening on the earth.  Prayer bridges that gap.”  Another picture was of a dry cell representing the power of God ready and waiting to be released and a light bulb representing the need on earth.  The power flows toward the need through a circuit but there is a gap there.  We are the conductor (like silver) or intercessor the stands in the gap and gets the power to the need on earth.Daniel 9 talks about Daniel and how he read in the Scriptures that God said the people would be in captivity 70 years.  It was the 70th year so instead of just waiting for the captivity to end Daniel prayed that God’s will (which he already knew was for them to be in captivity 70 years) would be done on earth.  Daniel fasted and prayed 21 days until an angel gave Daniel understanding.  We discussed prayer and fasting a little.Lastly, Jennifer brings out that prayer is not a passive activity.  “Prayer is the work. Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in.” 

———————

 

Many would describe Her2 positive cancer as “aggressive, offensive, invasive”.  It was good for me to see those adjectives attached to prayer with different implications , along with it being “work” and “proactive”.  Prayer changes things and I think I underestimate how powerful it really is. The cancer, the arm problems after surgery, the treatments, the side effects,  the disappointments along the way often have had me crying out to God to a depth and in surrender I don’t think I have ever experienced prior to all this so that’s been a beautiful thing in my life attached to all this. 

Thank you guys for interceding on my behalf and cheering me along as we watch God work and see His Fingerprints. 

 

 Lord, every single good gift comes from You…  

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

379. The truth is intercessory prayer to my great God is powerful beyond my wildest imagination and expectation.  (“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly ABOVE all I could ask or think…”)  Help me, Lord not to be lazy in prayer!  Help me, Father  to turn all my concerns into one big prayer and stop wasting time worrying.  Please forgive me for my anxious thoughts!   Help me to be a prayer warrior for the needs of others as well as myself.  I want to personally see You move the mountains that You want to move them through prayer!

380. This afternoon I have a very fun adventure I’ve been invited to: the gift of pampering with fellow breast cancer survirors: a manicure, pedicure, and my wig styled.  I’ll be attending the kid’s speech and debate club with them tonite in style. 🙂

 

Paula

“You Don’t Have to Know How to Give Him the Answer…”

Humor: Jeanne Robertson “Don’t send a man to the grocery store!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs&feature=share

 

 

 

A big thank you to E.M. and J.B. for sharing what you are learning from a ladies Bible study on Living a Life of Prayer by Jennifer Dean.

 

“Prayer is simple. Is there a need that is weighing on your shoulders?  John 2 – Mary simply told Jesus the need with a simple request. ‘They have no wine.’  You don’t have to know how to give Him the answer. You just have to give Him the problem.  It has nothing to do with you – but with God.”

 

 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…  

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

(Personaliizing Jennifer Dean quotes and God’s Word  for me below)

374. “I don’t have to know how to give Him the answer. I just have to give Him the problem.  It has nothing to do with me – but with God.”
375. “To me God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the people I rub shoulders with: which is CHRIST IN ME the hope of glory.” (From Col 1:27)

376. “Everything God wants to do on the earth He will do through the prayers of His people. The praying life IS Christ.  It is the life of Jesus Christ operating in me. I am His house.”

377. By God’s enabling power, He is teaching me to live a life of prayer.  Help me be a fast learner, Father!

378. Michelle coming and being such a blessing

 

Paula

Never thought I’d Get a Tattoo but I just got 3! ;)

 

 

 

 

If cartoons not visible to email subscribers go to http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/

 

 

I thought this brief comedy clip was funny, especially the last line: 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE82Gt93UYc&feature=youtu.be

 

 

I’ve had some busy last few days:  three different medical appoinments on Monday then a visit with my radiologist Tuesday and I will go back there again later this week for more radiation preparation. I am now officially tattooed.   Getting a tattoo has never been on my bucket list agenda, never had a yen for a fake butterfly or skull and cross bones on my back or to proclaim my love for John on my arm or elsewhere on my body (verbally is my preference).  However, now I’ve got my very own 3 tiny- dot tattoos for radiation markers and I’ll be sporting some temporary waterproof markings  later this week as well.  The plan is that I will start Monday thru Friday radiation for 6 weeks beginning next week.  I will be truthful, today I shed a couple tears RIGHT before the doctor entered the room, wouldn’tchaknow.  I had just told John that, even though I wasn’t going to do it,  I was  “feeling” like running out of the building and never coming back. As I was walking over to the Kleenex box to wipe away the emotional overflow, the Dr opened the door.  He saw my sad face, asked how I was doing and I said “Scared”…”But God is my Rock and will help me through”.  It’s the truth.  Oh, I hate having cancer!  I hate what I am having to do to try and fix it! Oh, please help me through this, Lord!!!!!!!  I make a lousy cancer patient and I can’t do this but YOU CAN.  I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength.

 

 I know radiation is MUCH easier than chemo but I don’t like any of these hoops I am jumping through.  I have no idea if any of this is even helping or not.  My greatest concern about radiation besides the damage that it does to healthy cells is that this left arm will get worse. One risk of radiation is lymphadema.  My fear is that my arm will  blow up real big or more pain will be added to my invisible tourniquet sensation.   God will see me through whether it happens or not. I hereby put a stop to the worry.  I wish it was that easy to decide to stop anxious thoughts.  The best things is for me to put radiation and me and the cancer in God’s Hands, where I belong.  OK Lord, I’ll trust You in this too, no matter what.  Please help me to trust you and not be afraid…I’m still so afraid.  

 

 Could you guys please  pray for an uneventful, successful radiation course of treatment for me and that I will be at complete peace, fully resting in and relying on God?? Hopefully I’ll breeze through with the biggest problem being  just fatigue and a mild burn, if that– like many women, maybe most women, i dunno.  One thing about spending a lot of time in medical waiting rooms and all-day chemo infusions is you get to chat with people that have a lot of things go wrong from these treatments like hospitalizations, infections, transfusions, need for hyperalimentation for nutrition because of a fried esophagus and damaged organs from radiation and such.  I am thankful that things have gone as well as it has for me, even though it hasn’t been pleasant–things could be much, much harder than they are.  Other than the arm deal, fatigue, and neuropathy symptoms from the chemo I’m feeling downright chipper and doing great! 🙂  I am trying to take excellent care of myself and although it does seem like my body is falling apart, I have been feeling much healthier the further away from chemo I get.

 

 

 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You… 

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

372.God will guard me and keep me in perfect and constant peace as my mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on Him, because I commit himself to Him, lean on Him, and hope confidently in Him. (From Is 26:3)

373. Sufficient grace for each day and all that is ahead

Trust His Heart

 

 

 

“When our lawn mower broke and wouldn’t run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the shed, the boat, working on the car… always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.

When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.

I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush.
I said, “When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.”

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.”

 

😉

 

  

Sharing an article I gleaned some good things from:

“Cancer: Don’t Handle it. Hand it.”

http://www.truewoman.com/?id=1870

 

Below is an excerpt from the link that is a good reminder to me as I think about the difference between God’s perspective and mine on trials.

“Don Quixote tells the story of a man who was desperately hanging onto a ledge one dark night fearing he would fall to his death. His terror mounted as he imagined the awful height from which he would plummet. Then, as morning dawned and light dispelled the darkness, he realized he was just inches from the ground!”

 

 

This morning I listened to this old favorite of mine,  “Trust His Heart”  and was blessed by the beautiful message once again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLn0cRl-0GE

 

This is the chorus:

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His heart 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You… 

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

369. “I have handed over all control to the One who tells the ocean waves just how far they can progress before they must recede again into the depths of the oceans. To the One whose voice quells the wind and the waves and designates the path of the lightning. Mine was a freefall into the Everlasting Arms and peace instantly reigned over fear.”  (Margaret Ashmore)

 

370.”This, then, is of faith, that everything, the very least, or what seems to us great, every change of the seasons, everything which touches us in mind, body, or estate, whether brought about through this outward senseless nature, or by the will of man, good or bad, is overruled to each of us by the all-holy and all-loving will of God. Whatever befalls us, however it befalls us, we must receive as the will of God. If it befalls us through man’s negligence, or ill-will, or anger, still it is, in even the least circumstance, to us the will of God. For if the least thing could happen to us without God’s permission, it would be something out of God’s control. God’s providence or His love would not be what they are. Almighty God Himself would not be the same God; not the God whom we believe, adore, and love.” – E.B. Pusey, 1800-1882

 

371. Fun chatting with friends and family at the church picnic yesterday

 

Paula

 

Faith That Moves Mountains (Matthew 17:20)

“Faith is putting all your eggs in God’s basket

and counting your blessings

before they’ve hatched.”

 

http://www.churchmice.net/

(Used with permission)

There’s a song that goes:

 

“Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?

Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?

God SPECIALIZES in things thought impossible.

He does the things others can not do.”

Lately I’ve been thinking about Matthew 17:20 when Jesus told his disciples,  “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”  I looked on www.Answers.com and found that mustard seeds are about 1/16 of an inch in diameter: about 1/3rd the size of a poppy seed: EXTREMELY tiny.  In the first century, apparently  mustard seeds grew to the size of a rider mounted upon his horse. About 10 ft. tall!  A mustard plant  beginnings are small but one seed can grow to a really huge plant.   It sounds like the kind of faith that moves mountains is like that.  “…And nothing will be impossible for you”, is QUITE a statement huh?!  Nothing?  It says “NOTHING”. 

I am wondering if that whole conversation with Jesus was just for the disciples He was talking to in that context or if it can be that somehow, God wants to be moving mountains–things thought impossible–for His kids TODAY.    I don’t want or need to move any literal mountains, but there are some figurative ones that I’d love for God to move.  This morning once again I am bringing God my “Mountain” of aggressive breast cancer, the invisible arm tourniquet sensation, the chemo damage, and a body that feels like it’s been falling apart lately–I am laying my health before Him.  I am hereby placing every single cell in my body in His Lap for about the millionth time. 

 I don’t see how I could possibly move this mountain myself but HE CAN.   I am totally confident that God can do what is impossible for us. The doctors are putting forth their best efforts but they can’t really “MAKE the treatments work”.  Some women respond to the mastectomy, chemo, Heceptin, radiation, and hormone blockers and their life is prolonged and some don’t.  If God cares about how many hairs are on my head and when birds fall out of trees as it says in the Bible and I know He does, then the results of all these “big gun” treatments couldn’t be  a random thing.  God is in charge of my life.  I’m His kid.   He either will make the cancer treatments work or he won’t.  He’s going to do what is best.  It’s not like “God needs chemo” or something. He might use different tools on our behalf sometimes, but He sure doesn’t “need” them.

Lord, how does this all work? Does this verse apply to me?   If so, how do I apply it?  Some people believe that Christians should “take authority” over cancer and it’ll leave. That has not been my personal belief.  Whatever YOUR mindset is, is the one I want for me.    How is my faith tied up in what You actually do and not do? I don’t know if this cancer treatment is working or not and I don’t know for sure if Your perfect will is to heal me or not.   What does that verse mean, Lord?  There are a bunch of verses in the Bible about healing.  Father, am I supposed to be “claiming” them for me?  Please show me what You desire, Lord.   I am asking for You to help me to focus on YOU (so easy to focus on what I want instead),  supply me with more faith in YOU and what You can do. ..not just regarding my health, but about everything. I’d like to “trade in” my sometimes weak, wavering faith for an unshakable, overflowing, super- strong one –can You arrange that?  I want to grow and change. I know that You are just as good and loving and right in all You do whether You say “yes” or “no” or “wait” to my prayers for healing. I want what You want.  Through all this I am asking You to make me into the “Paula” You want be to be.  Please use me somehow for Your honor and glory and praise.   Can You show me personally about the power and fruitfulness of prayer?  Can YOU transform me into the kind of “prayer warrior” You’d want me to be?  Can You TEACH me to pray the way that would be pleasing to You?  I ask this in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

365. I have every reason to believe, based on the Word of God, that He will answer my requests to transform me into a woman of strong faith: a prayer warrior with prayers lined up with God’s will.  He will answer my prayers with His very best.

366. I’ve got “some rivers that seem to be uncrossable and I’ve got mountains I can’t tunnel through.  HOWEVER, God SPECIALIZES in things thought impossible. He does the things others can not do.”

367. Today I am trusting that God will show me if/how  Matthew 17:20  applies to me and teach me all I need to know about it: “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”  I give You every single one of my mountains, Lord.

368. A wonderful Mother/Daughter time with my Hannah Banana yesterday: snuggling with puppies at the Pet Store, going to a health fair, buying her a treat (thx Lord for helping me to skip the sweets) then we even had fun vacuuming the vehicles together afterwards.  🙂

Leaning Hard

 “I recently asked my friend’s little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up.  She said she wanted to be President some day.  Both of her parents, Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, “If you were President, what would be the first thing you would do?” She replied, “I’d give food and houses to all the homeless people.”  Her parents beamed with pride. “Wow…what a worthy goal.”  I told her, “But you don’t have to wait until you’re President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my driveway, and I’ll pay you $50.  Then I’ll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house.” She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Why doesn’t the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?”  I said, “Welcome to the Republican Party.”  Her parents still aren’t speaking to me.”

—————–

“Child of My Love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the
pressure of your care. I know your burden, child!
I shaped it- I poised it in My own hand and made
no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength.
For even as I laid it on, I said I shall be near, and
while she leans on Me, this burden shall be Mine,
not hers. So shall I keep My child within the circling
arms of My own love. Here lay it down! Do not
fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the
government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are
not near enough! I would embrace your burden,
so I might feel My child reposing on My breast.
You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But,
loving me, lean hard!”

–Mary Prentiss Smith

 

Psalm 55:22 ( NKJV)
 ²² Cast your burden on the LORD,
         And He shall sustain you;
         He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22  (NLT)

 ²² Give your burdens to the Lord,
      and he will take care of you.
      He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Psalm 55:22  (AMP)

²²Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

 Lord, every single good gift comes from You…

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 362.  I throw the full weight of my burdens on the Lord, releasing every care to Him.  He will take care of me and the things that concern me and He will always sustain me.  I am righteous “in Christ” and God will never permit those who are righteous in His Son to be moved.  In Him I will not slip, or fall or fail. (Personalizing Psalm 55:22 for me)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0t6Cs5TRxU&feature=related

363. I will lean hard today upon the Shoulder which upholds the whole world.  I will press nearer and nearer to His loving heart.  I will snuggle in as close as I can get and He will draw me in nearer still.

364. The delight of watching my daughter victoriously overcome a struggle

 Leaning hard,

Paula

If cartoon does not show up for email subscribers, it may be viewed at website: http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An experiential lab experiment today on living the life of an optimist

“Most of us miss out on life’s big prizes.

The Pulitzer

The Heisman.

Oscars.

But we’re all eligible for life’s small pleasures.

A pat on the back.

A kiss behind the ear.

A four pound bass.

A full moon.

An empty parking space.

A crackling fire.

A great meal.

A glorious sunset.

Enjoy life’s tiny delights.

There are plenty for all of us.”

–Source unknown

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AHFw0aXwCA&feature=related

Bride with a tickled funny bone 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 I just finished reading Barbara Johnson’s book, “Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life”.  I typed out some of the thoughts on optimism/pessimism that she had in her book.  The authors of the quotes themselves are unknown.

 

“An optimist looks at an oyster

and expects to find a pearl.

A pessimist looks at an oyster

and expects ptomaine poisoning.”

 

“A pessimist is someone who feels bad

when she feels good

for fear she will feel worse

when she feels better”

 

“Life is easier than you think.

All you have to do is:

accept the impossible,

do without the indispensable,

and

be able to smile at anything”

 

“A pessimist has no starter,

an optimist has no brakes.”

 

“In the long run, pessimists may be proven right,

but the optimist has a better time on the trip.”

 

  

(Q) Paula, which attitude will you choose to embrace today? 

 (A)   I am going to try an experiment.   I am going to make a concerted effort to try to live the  life of an optimist today.  Anybody want to join me and share how it goes?

———————————————–

 

Lord, every single good gift comes from You…

(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

 

359. With God’s help I can and will choose to embrace a positive, optimistic attitude today.  I serve the God of ALL hope!

360. He gives me abundant joy in the morning and sweet, gentle peace in the evening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-OMkqAtxJA

361. Thank You Lord for strengthening me with all power according to Your glorious might so that I may experience great endurance and patience, and give joyful thanks to my Father, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.  He has rescued me  from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of my sins. ( Col 1:11-13)