CIRCUMSTANCES

I Was Just Thinking About – CIRCUMSTANCES.

We are familiar with many situations where consequence is easily defined and understood. Touch a hot stove, the consequence is being burned. Drive recklessly on Black Ice, the consequence will be loss of control of a vehicle. Disobey a Law Enforcement Officer, the consequence will be arrest and/or incarceration. Any allowance for misjudging anything, can and will usually bring about negative consequences.

I can understand more fully the struggle many have wrestled with when Cancer is a prognosis with which one has to deal. The daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, Anne Graham Lotz, has wrestled with a couple of major circumstances in her life. There was the death of her husband and all that attaches itself to such a moment and period of time. More recently, is her dealing with Cancer and Chemotherapy. She has written and posted the following: “To our heart-wrenched cries of WHY? God's ultimate answer is, ‘Jesus,’ as He is glorified and magnified in our lives through our suffering. When there are no answers to your questions...Trust Him when you don't understand. Trust His Heart. Trust His purpose. Trust Him when it is your heart that's broken. Trust His goodness. The times when you and I can't trace His hand of purpose, we must trust His heart of love!”

A recent friend who marked five years of being in remission, now has reason for concern after a PET Scan showed something suspicious. He will see an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist a week from today (02/13/19) to determine what is going on in his throat area. He clings to and prays through Psalm 91(especially verses 1-3), “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD: You are my refuge and fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will deliver…” I appreciate his steadfastness and encouragement. If you remember, pray for my friend Steve.

Fanny Crosby penned the words to a Hymn, Rescue The Perishing,  where she used various needs and a desired response to them. Words such as: “Care, Weep, Plead Earnestly, Plead Gently, Touched by a Loving Heart, Wakened by Kindness.” One of the difficulties in life is to be able to share with those whose heart is authentically committed to the words of Scripture and some of which that were penned by the blind Fanny Crosby. Those who have experienced the reality of Cancer vitally need the timely word or a touch of concern. 

One of my personal difficult moments with the reality of Cancer occurred last year. We were very much wanting to fly to Oklahoma to be with our 8 year old Great Grandson who had been treated for Cancer for 6 years. And then, the unexpected and unwanted occurred – I, his Great Grandfather, was diagnosed with Cancer. I had reached a point where it was becoming difficult to breathe, almost impossible to swallow, and with limited ability to speak.

Eight months ago, the Doctor’s prognosis was that I was in Remission. I soon was able to speak clearly once again, but the scar tissue in my throat limited greatly my ability to sing along with Hymns, etc. My eldest daughter and her husband arrived from Texas and will be with me when I visited with the Doctor this Thursday. This will be my first discussion with him in eight months. Do I feel well? Yes! Has the Lord permitted me to continue to serve Him once again? Yes! Are there some medical issues that give me pause and concern? Yes!

My own desire is to live and believe the personalized words of Scripture: Romans 8:37 (NLT), “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is MINE through Christ, who loved ME.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV), “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within ME.” And, Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT), “I look up to the mountains - does MY help come from there? NO! MY help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” 

Your Prayers are ALWAYS appreciated. So – prayerfully – consider these things with me.