Some of you know that this time last week, my dad found out he had a tangerine sized tumor embedded in his spine. Things happened quickly when he was diagnosed. He immediately began radiation treatments and oral steroids. At this point he has had 7 radiation treatments and yesterday, had a scan done to determine if this awful disease was anywhere else in his body. If it is, he tells me he really doesn't want to know. His concern is comfort!
I'm heading to Wilmington on Saturday to spend a few days with him and take him to some of his treatments. We had already planned a trip down the week after Christmas with the whole family and we won't change that.
I'm still somewhat overwhelmed at what has transpired over the past week, but I know that none of this caught God by surprise. None of us know how this will all work out over the days ahead, but I do know my dad is strong and my dad is my hero. God is in the miracle business and my prayer is that his treatments will be effective and there will come that day that we can say, "thank you Lord for all that you have done."
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Sunday School
My good friend, Bubba, asked me to stand in for him today and teach his Sunday School class. The lesson, Acts 4:32-37, tells us about the "grace of giving." It was a lesson on generosity and authenticity. As I studied last week to prepare for today, God raised many questions about my own life and where I stood in relation to the "grace of giving?"
I consider myself a "giver." However...when I give...do I give reluctantly or with a cheerful heart? When I give, do I give things that aren't wanted...such as advice???? When I give, do I put unspoken requirements on the recipient??
God has impressed upon me that I am still a work in progress. He is still chiseling away to make me more like Jesus. I'm thankful He has not given up on me. He is working on me and my attitude of forgiveness and understanding. He is impressing upon me why He allows bad things to happen to good people. He is helping me to continue to love those that are acting unlovable and doing things that I just don't understand. When I think about it....He is constantly holding up a mirror so that I can see clearly who I really am and contrasting it with who He wants me to be.
"We are saved by grace." Grace is God's unmerited favor. We don't deserve His grace. We can't be good enough or do enough good works to obtain His grace. There is only one way and that way is through Jesus. It doesn't matter how many SS classes we teach. It doesn't matter how many discipleship programs we participate in. It doesn't matter how many times we go to church. If we are counting on these things and our "goodness" to get us into heaven...woe be unto us. No, all we have to do is to pray....admit that we are sinners and can't save ourselves, repent or turn away from our sins, and ask Jesus to save us. Scripture says that if any man call upon the name of the Lord, he will be saved. Doesn't say a thing about being a "good" person. We can never be good enough.
I consider myself a "giver." However...when I give...do I give reluctantly or with a cheerful heart? When I give, do I give things that aren't wanted...such as advice???? When I give, do I put unspoken requirements on the recipient??
God has impressed upon me that I am still a work in progress. He is still chiseling away to make me more like Jesus. I'm thankful He has not given up on me. He is working on me and my attitude of forgiveness and understanding. He is impressing upon me why He allows bad things to happen to good people. He is helping me to continue to love those that are acting unlovable and doing things that I just don't understand. When I think about it....He is constantly holding up a mirror so that I can see clearly who I really am and contrasting it with who He wants me to be.
"We are saved by grace." Grace is God's unmerited favor. We don't deserve His grace. We can't be good enough or do enough good works to obtain His grace. There is only one way and that way is through Jesus. It doesn't matter how many SS classes we teach. It doesn't matter how many discipleship programs we participate in. It doesn't matter how many times we go to church. If we are counting on these things and our "goodness" to get us into heaven...woe be unto us. No, all we have to do is to pray....admit that we are sinners and can't save ourselves, repent or turn away from our sins, and ask Jesus to save us. Scripture says that if any man call upon the name of the Lord, he will be saved. Doesn't say a thing about being a "good" person. We can never be good enough.
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