Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday With Thee

2/8/09 Sunday w/ Thee

Can you have time with the Lord on the Lord’s day without going to church? Absolutely! Do I miss going to church and being with God’s people? Absolutely!! There is nothing quite like the fellowship of believers. Dr. T used to say that if you’re trying to stay away from germs, “Don’t go to church or the movies.” Maybe that’s b/c there are lots of huggin’ folks at church. I don’t mind missing the germs but I sure miss those hugs.

This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psa. 118:24) How easy it is to rejoice when the sun is shining and the temps are just right as you & your hubby accompany a grandson on a “walk-walk” in his little red car.
How much harder it is to rejoice at the end of the day when waiting in the kitchen of a beloved neighbor of almost 32 years---waiting for an ambulance to come and take her to the hospital one more time---and yet the loving husband and daughter who were there for her allowed me a glimpse of that unconditional love of family that becomes a healing balm for the one in the center of the crisis/suffering. I rejoice that she has such a family.
2/5/09-2/7/09 Postings from Dallas #3
2/7/09
Technically, I’m home today---but a lot of my MAC stuff is still in Dallas & a lot of Dallas thoughts are still swirling in my head. That “M” bridge was a welcoming sight late last night. Nothing feels quite as good as one’s own bed, does it?
Began day in prayer chair because it’s Saturday. Since November 1995, the 7 AM. Saturday time slot for prayer for First Evangelical Church has been mine. We, “Warriors on the Wall,” have a guide that is sent each month with specific needs. This morning when I saw my name listed with those cancer patients needing prayer for stamina and healing, I was taken aback. It was almost surreal---I never imagined seeing my name there---I had a real catch in my throat.
Rest of day mostly spent at the Lord’s feet or soaking in the tub or napping or putting my feet up---I haven’t even felt much like talking----maybe I’m practicing for those days coming up---before I get a new mouth----when I won’t be able to talk. So grateful that WH is praying for “joy” for me today.

journal jottings---“When God exhales, beloved, inhale.” (Voices of the Faithful) so similar to yesterday’s “breathe Me in with each breath.” (Jesus Calling) So I asked,
“What truths do you have for me from your Word today, O Lord?”
Psalm 43:11 (Streams in the Desert) & Psalm 42:11 (Jesus Calling) are the exact same words---“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God for I shall again praise Him, my “salvation” and my God.” (ESV) “help of my countenance” (NASB) “health of my countenance”---the One who puts joy in my heart/smile on my face (my marginalia) WH prayers were right on target today---so glad today is the day she prays for me.
“patient waiting” seems like an oxymoron for a nanosecond kind of girl (an MP term)but God……
”be still and know that I am God.” (Psa. 46:10) Am I about to enter God’s waiting room? May I have no expectations------ just a joyful expectancy of time with Him.
A. Murray in Waiting on God, suggests “to wait upon God and receive from Him what He alone can give, what He delights to give.” "My soul waiteth only upon God…"(Psa. 62:1)
2/5/09-2/7/09 Postings from Dallas #2
2/6/09
Rescued John Parker (8 ½ mos.) from his bed “before his wake-up time.” Ah-h-h the privileges of being a grandmother! This was followed by a “Quiet” Time w/ Nathan and Noah alongside (Caleb slept-in) w/ John Parker in my lap, as we studied their James 2:1-3 “assignment.”
Took necessary time alone as well---grateful to be able to do this as Larry, aka Pop-Pop fixed bikes and precious, calm, patient daughter-in-law, Day, went to register Caleb for next year’s pre-school class.

Met mohs surgeon, third member of my team---he will go as far as he can w/ ENT/head & neck surgeon alongside to step in as needed. Met ENT yesterday--- though he looks 15, he was very thorough and I appreciated his concern for me. My slides and reports are now being sent to team member #4, a “premier” derma-pathologist with 2 fellowships and lots of experience under his belt---YES!! Dr. C and Dr. B. (Memphis doc) kept emphasizing that I need a really good pathologist---so God provided.

Journal jottings----only wisdom I really have is faith in God’s working---and in that faith to pray for His power and His strength---my frailty is becoming so evident--- meet me with your strength O Lord. There’s that juxtaposition again---my frailty w/ His strength—Grateful for time in word before reading Jesus Calling or I might have focused on way ahead being very steep instead of “cling tightly to My hand”…..”lift up empty (of self, maybe) hands of faith”….”receive My Precious Presence.” His hand is everywhere isn’t it?