Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Escape to Reality

Doctors and waiting and tests... oh my!! Last Friday the 14th, I hit the medical wall. I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, navigating through an area where there might be lions and tigers and bears, when she exclaimed ,” I don’t like this forest... it’s dark and creepy!”
At 10:40 a.m, Robert and I decided to catch a 12:40 flight to San Diego. After a whirlwind hour of preparations, we made it to the airport in time, and off we flew into the wild blue yonder.
The weekend was just great. We rode bikes, ate, laughed, ate, sang, took goofy pictures and oh, did I mention we ate? The Lord truly provided for and blessed us every step of the way and we felt His strong hand of grace upon us. His still small voice reassured me that His eye is on me and that I am the apple of it! “....for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” Zech. 2:8
The way we see things is important. Our perspective can certainly affect our decisions and our reactions.
In high school, before I started wearing contacts, I had a bad depth perception problem. I would park my car near the curb by my house and in the morning come out to discover I was several feet from it!
I thought I was all lined up, but in reality, I was way off the mark.
More important then even driving, when navigating our lives, we need crystal clear vision!
Spiritually speaking,we can be so far sighted that we miss important truths that are right under our noses.
Or, our nearsightedness can keep us from seeing the bigger picture, causing us to trip  over insignificant details that can appear larger than life.
We must then ask ourselves, “through what lens, am I viewing this situation? Or this person? Or myself?
Does my vision line up with the direction given in the only real GPS- God’s Word? (Global Positioning System, you know)
His Word is readily available, but what can keep it from penetrating our hearts and making a difference in the way we walk down the path set before us?
The way I see it,  (no pun intended, well, yes it was..:)
there are two main factors that help us look through the glasses of God’s word effectively.
1.Light-Psalm 119:30 says,”The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”
If you go out walking at night, you need a flashlight. If we just carry it around and never press the on button, it is pretty much useless. We can all “know” the truths found in God’s word, but not apply them in our present situations.
Let’s be honest, have you ever had someone share a verse with you and your first inner response is “I know... I know that?” Well, KNOWING something intellectually is not the same as letting it light up your life!
We have to let those timeless, powerful truths enter our hearts. Again and again. Today, tomorrow and the next day.
For example, how about this well known verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 . Take a second and think of that thing that you are most concerned about. 
Then, allow this spotlight of truth to penetrate your heart and shine on your present situation.
If we truly believe it, then we have NOTHING to worry about. It really is all good.
2.Love -A favorite verse of mine is Jude 21. It says, ..”keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
If we believe the lie that God doesn’t love us, every minute of the day..and even on our worst days, we can struggle with applying His Word, because we can think we are excluded from the club that it applies too. Our thinking can resemble this, “yeah that verse is true, but is is for ________ not me because I am so________ and they are really good.”
Not so, Christian! “...there is no partiality with God” Romans 2:11
He truly loves each of us as if there was only one of us.
Above all realities, become CONVINCED daily of God’s love for you.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-8

*So, my great escape vaca came to an end Monday night. Yesterday, Tuesday morning , I had to have another PET scan so they can have a baseline to start treatment.
I am waiting for the results of the genetic marker test and the PET results to start treatment. I’ll be honest, I am sick of waiting and the anxiety over beginning to kill this thing is hard to keep at bay. I would appreciate your specific requests for God to intervene in the medical staff’s hearts and minds and direct them to His will for me.
In the meantime, today and everyday, I’ll be gazing at the reality of His Word and praying with the psalmist, 
“Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.” Psalm 17:8-9

10 comments:

  1. You are in my prayers Lisa!
    Love,
    Kelly Stevens

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  2. I was praying that you were off on an escape with Robert- it is wonderful to JUST BE SPONTANEOUS!!!!!!! I am sending a card your way tomorrow and we'll communicate more In the card. Love & Prayers, JoAnn

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  3. Dear Lisa, Bob & I both have been praying for you since we heard of your diagnosis of cancer. No one ever wants to hear that. I know of your strong faith & love for your Lord Jesus. Waiting to get to treatment is very hard but we know about waiting on the Lord & how his timing is perfect. As we wait with you, our prayer is for a complete & perfect healing.Also all the Grace you & your family need at this time. We love you Lisa & want for you all of God's blessings on your life, as you have blessed this church. Ps. 103:18 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust." And 1 Thess.5;17-18. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for(You Lisa) in Christ Jesus.

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  4. Lisa, Annie's Herring's song really speaks to me. I pray you will be blessed by it. I praise our Lord that you and Robert were able to go on a get-a-way to San Diego. Praying specifically that God would intervene and reveal His presence to you and the medical staff in ways that bring glory to His name and cause them to see His light in you and your family and desire Him as their Lord. Love....Toni


    Annie Herring - THE MASTER'S HAND

    I've seen pain and sorrow
    By walking in the light
    And I have seen good men
    Losing the fight
    I have seen babies die
    I've been there when the widow cries
    And I have learned that joy returns
    In the morning light

    By holding to the Master's hand
    Holding to the Master's hand
    I can go throughout the day
    And what comes my way
    Won't fill me with fear
    By holding to the Master's hand
    He helps me to understand
    Though I am so weak and frail
    I sometimes fail
    To see His hand
    He's holding on to me

    When I start to waiver
    I look upon my past
    And there I find His favor
    I am not downcast
    For He's taught me to walk by faith
    Whenever storms arise
    To look to and seek His face
    Watch the dark clouds rise

    By holding to the Master's hand
    Holding to the Master's hand
    I can go throughout the day
    And what comes my way
    Won't fill me with fear
    By holding to the Master's hand
    He helps me to understand
    Though I am so weak and frail
    And sometimes fail
    To see His hand
    He's holding on to me
    He's holding on to me
    When I am so weak and frail
    And when I fail
    To see His hand
    He still holds on to me

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  5. SO happy you got away Lisa. Oh (how) I understand what it's like to be anxious to kill cancer once you know you've got it. What comes to mind this moment is "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4) You don't want them to miss anything in getting the right approach to beginning treatment, yet we will pray that they understand your urgency to strike down the invader. Fighting the good fight with you. Love - Cherrie

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  6. Lees- Parked on our hearts you are...there, 24/7. We cry with you, we rejoice with you, and we cling to Him with you! SO grateful to you for starting this blog! (honored to be your guinea pig too :) Toni- those lyrics so blessed me, Cherrie- your words of wisdom and encouragement shared from a unique & glorious perspective bless me! Lord Jesus...bring treatment quickly, strength to get through it, and may your perfect will be done in & through Lisa...we love her, and we love you!

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  7. Lisa,
    I will be praying for God to intervene in the medical staff’s hearts and minds and direct them to His will for you! Praying God will calm you and for His perfect peace to fill you to over flowing!
    Philippians 4:4-9
    4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
    5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
    6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
    8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
    Love and Blessings to you and your family,
    Barbara

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  8. Though I've never met you, I've kept up with your blog. I Attend West Calvery Chapel. We love Robert and the way GOD uses him to touch our lives. We pray for him and you daily. Just look at the testimony you will have when many will believe by seeing the Miracle GODs going to do in you.

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  9. Dear Lisa,
    I Just Wanted you to know that our family has prayed for you and your family everyday. We know That God Has something BIG in store for you. May God Comfort, Bless, and May his love shine on you !
    Psalm 18:2
    The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the hornof my salvation, my stronghold !
    Nahum 1:7
    The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
    With Love,
    Willie (15)

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  10. Lisa,
    Thank you for all the love, light, inspiration and Bible study you have had the strength to share in your blog. Illness brings a sense of individual heroism to each person as we deal with Severe Chronic Illnesses or severe short illnesses; Each gives us a new glimpse of Christ's multifaceted healing powers. I apologize for not having your talent for writing. I bless you for having the talent to reach inside and share the path cancer is taking you . Judi West

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