SOUL FOOD 2020

My March 20, 2020 entry, Attack-a Stack, explained the "creative" way I was extending my quiet times. Today the devotional book at the top of the stack was so timely! Streams in the Desert (L.B. Cowman)

It could have been written TODAY---for such a time as this! A Covid 19 Pandemic times. Copyright laws prevent me from printing it all here.* 

The entry began with scripture, as always. Today's was from 2 Kings 4:4.

Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.

My musings---

A widow with her two sons were to be alone with God. God only. Removed from their circumstances. Totally isolated. A time to get in touch with God alone---to depend on Him. God, the Source of miracles.

Analogy given was that of Christians on the treadmill of life, ordinary, predictable. A time was needed to enter a secret chamber of isolation in prayer and faith. A time for God to show us something new. Something Divine. A new pattern for life with Him.

Like the widow, "detached from outward things and attached inwardly to the Lord alone in order to see His wonders." --from Soul Food. 

In my life, God isolated me during my cancer journey.(2009) God clearly spoke to me from the MAC diagnosis to a year of surgeries and treatments. I was fed by others, with a syringe through a pencil sized hole in my mouth. Hands of others liquified my food for intake. 

But God.....He, Himself, fed me daily. Soul food straight from His Word. 

My pattern was a D.A.N.C.E.. It's when God taught me "our" DANCE--a dance He had just for me. He became my dance partner and led me in every step. A unique dance. He was there for evey twist and turn. I kept focus---always looking up into His face and not down at my feet. (circumstances) If I did stumble, He was always there to keep me from falling headlong.(Psalm 37:24, NIV)

It became the first big step of fruit bearing for me....as I stepped out & shared my story. 

I will be forever grateful for soul food from His hand and others who became HIs hands and feet on my behalf. (Psalm 27:13, NKJV)

* For the complete God's Pattern-Streams in the Desert, click the highlight.

Stories of Hope

Cancer Survivors luncheon! What a privilege!
A celebration of life. A celebration of hope.
Many in attendance would say, "In Christ alone, my hope is found."

Dear, sweet, friend Pam is one of those. She delivered today's "keynote" message flawlessly and from the heart. Her story of hope in the midst of a shocking journey was one all could relate to in some way, especially the cancer survivors!
There's such a fellowship of folks on the same side of the struggle---and the fellowship of those who wear the pink ribbon is unbelievably strong!
Pam's message was a reminder of all of that.

Whether a surviver of more than 30 years.....or less than a year,
each wears a smile!

Pam's goal for her story of hope was for God to receive the glory! (Revelation 4:11)

Tears "rained" and hope flowed! Goal accomplished!

REAR VIEW REFLECTIONS

1/16/11 What’s in your “rear view” reflections of life? Pain? Disappointment? Fear? For those of us with cancer in our rear view mirror, we have to be careful. 
Just like in driving, we have to use our rear view mirror as a quick indicator of the next right thing. We don’t keep looking in the rear view mirror as we thrust forward. The results could be disastrous, even life threatening. For me this last week, it’s been a real temptation to do more than glance at my past---my cancer past. Maybe it’s because it’s been two years ago this month that my MAC Journey began.

Yet, though I know for preventative reasons, I need to continually be aware, I also know that it’s unhealthy to “dwell” on those thoughts. We can’t live a healthy life living in the past. Nor can we enjoy the present and future if our view is skewed by our rear view. Thoughts of cancer reoccurrences can really skew ones view.

Yesterday’s Jesus Calling reminded me that it’s all about focus. “If you gaze too long at the myriad of problems around you (past or present, Dotsy) you will sink under the weight…..”

A quote in my Bible attributed to Fran says, “Gaze on Jesus; glance at all else.” That is worthy of reflection.