Well as most of you probably know by now, Barb and I are parked and comfortably taking up residence in beautiful downtown Dewey, Arizona up in the mountains of Arizona where the temperature never reaches 100 degrees. The coach air conditioner works rather well up here and we "love it!" Oh sure, we miss the kids and grand kids but they are a mere 75 miles away, just an hours drive from here anytime we need our fill of our family.
Tonight we got a chance to share dinner with Med and Gail, Barb's sister and brother-in-law and we had a wonderful time together being able to walk out in the city without the aid of any inhalers or SVN machines to help breathe this beautiful clean air.
And as we drove back to our new residence I noticed that we could actually see the stars in the sky and I noticed them "twinkling" in the sky and it made me think of our Lord and how He was up there helping us live our lives here. What a beautiful site it is just to be able to see something in the sky besides smog.
I went to bed and put on my headphones as I normally do and tonight decided to listed to an old Eagles album on my ipod and I came to a song called "Life in the fast lane" and it drew my attention to our lives. We all live "in the fast lane" and sometimes we have to or we get left behind in life. And sometimes it causes us to miss some things that should be more precious to us than trying to get some adrenaline out of every moment of these lives. For instance, I looked on Face Book earlier tonight and notice that my son wrote that he had a "bad tennis" day today. I didn't think much of it until I sat down here to write and thought, "well, at least he had a tennis day." So some of his day was good even if he was "off" of his game.
Then, naturally because I could not fall asleep, God prompted me to get up and read from His Word. I came across 2 Thessalonians 5:16,17, & 18 which simply say "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (NASB).
Well I thought about those verses and wondered how I fit into Paul's instruction: I mostly rejoice (some may think I complain alot but I mostly rejoice in life). I don't find that I "pray without ceasing" but I seem to be in a constant state of communication with the Lord over life in general. And I think that there are VERY FEW things that I do NOT give thanks for. I know I wasn't really rejoicing when our 5th wheel had a flat tire and we were out of state. I didn't jump up and down when it was necessary to travel to Wal-Mart twice to fix a leak in the tank lines today and I certainly don't remember thanking God for the money that was available to get that line fixed. But now that I think back on the day, it was pretty rejoicing, enjoyable and pleasant to visit with family.
So some days we DO INDEED, "live in the fast lane" and it is at times, difficult to slow down long enough to give God glory even when all the air is out of the tire. But I did have a great day and I think Brad, my son, even though he was not "on his game" rejoiced in the opportunity to take some time away from a busy work schedule to get some tennis in.
Verse 21 says "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good..." and that, we try very hard to do. The oncologist office called yesterday and it seems that a blood test (called an M-spike test) came back too high and he wants to discuss it with me so now we have to go down the hill next week to see about that problem. Seems that the M-spike test is a measure of the cancer, possibly, "sticking it's ugly head up" for a look around and I'm sure he just wants to stay ahead of it. "Rejoice always!" Okay, I'm very thankful that he found that so we could discuss my options and continue praying without ceasing while I am thankful that there are tests like this to keep my health in line. Boy, some of these instructions are hard to carry out. I don't want to go to the doctor, I don't want to have more tests, I don't want to go through chemotherapy again, but I thank God that He is in control and not me.
"Life in the fast lane" sometimes slaps us right in the face and of course, another line in the song is "surely you could lose your mind".
So where am I going with this or am I just rambling because I can't sleep? Well actually I got up to tell all of you that I am "Rejoicing always; praying without ceasing; and giving thanks in everything for this is God's will for ME in Christ Jesus!" Will the strength of your faith allow you to say that tonight?
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Hop On The Bus!
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 ).
Well Barb and I finally made it up to Prescott Valley, Arizona. I've always wanted to see what it was like to live in a mountain area and it is absolutely beautiful up here. We got checked into the RV Park here and are looking into deciding if this will be our home (for at least a year) and I'm hooked already. We played bingo with some of the other tenants tonight and noticed that we looked as though we were teen-agers compared to some in the room, but what the heck, they were young once too.
Last Monday I wrote about an old family friend who was not doing so well. She was diagnosed with the same type of cancer that I have just a year ago and this afternoon she breathed her last breathe here and went home to be with the Lord (we will miss you Kathy-Marie). Now the news is not all bad either. Since she had given up her own heart to live for Christ, she was accepted in heaven with our Lord today. That is very good news because John 14: 1ff says "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14: 1-6 NASB).
So this is the way I look at my own situation each and every day of my life. I am here trying, daily, to express the Love of Christ to others on my journey and while I do that, My Lord is "preparing a place for me"! Now some people would, out of habit, drag this to it's negative conclusion because that is the way they look at life. On the other hand, there are those of us who look at "this life" as a type of "bus depot" and we are only waiting here to catch the bus that will deliver us to our eternal resting place. With me, that is in heaven with my Heavenly Father (along with Kathy-Marie and my very own earthly Father).
So to the Tarvin/Hixon family I would simply say "Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice" for that loved one whom you feel you have lost is now in heaven with a hammer in her hand, helping our Lord "prepare your place" for that time in life with your bus arrives. Be joyful and rest in knowing that she no longer suffers, and is overfilled with joy in her heart tonight as she kneels at the feet of Jesus Christ.
We love you, Kathy-Marie,
Dave & Barb Stallings
Well Barb and I finally made it up to Prescott Valley, Arizona. I've always wanted to see what it was like to live in a mountain area and it is absolutely beautiful up here. We got checked into the RV Park here and are looking into deciding if this will be our home (for at least a year) and I'm hooked already. We played bingo with some of the other tenants tonight and noticed that we looked as though we were teen-agers compared to some in the room, but what the heck, they were young once too.
Last Monday I wrote about an old family friend who was not doing so well. She was diagnosed with the same type of cancer that I have just a year ago and this afternoon she breathed her last breathe here and went home to be with the Lord (we will miss you Kathy-Marie). Now the news is not all bad either. Since she had given up her own heart to live for Christ, she was accepted in heaven with our Lord today. That is very good news because John 14: 1ff says "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14: 1-6 NASB).
So this is the way I look at my own situation each and every day of my life. I am here trying, daily, to express the Love of Christ to others on my journey and while I do that, My Lord is "preparing a place for me"! Now some people would, out of habit, drag this to it's negative conclusion because that is the way they look at life. On the other hand, there are those of us who look at "this life" as a type of "bus depot" and we are only waiting here to catch the bus that will deliver us to our eternal resting place. With me, that is in heaven with my Heavenly Father (along with Kathy-Marie and my very own earthly Father).
So to the Tarvin/Hixon family I would simply say "Rejoice, and again I say Rejoice" for that loved one whom you feel you have lost is now in heaven with a hammer in her hand, helping our Lord "prepare your place" for that time in life with your bus arrives. Be joyful and rest in knowing that she no longer suffers, and is overfilled with joy in her heart tonight as she kneels at the feet of Jesus Christ.
We love you, Kathy-Marie,
Dave & Barb Stallings
Monday, August 16, 2010
We Shall Not All Sleep
Hello there! It's me again. It is late at night and once again, I cannot sleep. Surprise, surprise. I haven't written in my blog for quite a few days now. I have been really preoccupied with the work and needs of living on the road in a recreational vehicle. It takes a lot just to keep all the utilities working and food in the frig. Not to mention making sure the bathroom is always working properly...lol! Anyway, can't sleep so here I am again.
Today, Barbara and I traveled to a place I had not been to since 4:08 AM June 6, 2002. The place is called Reche Canyon Rehab and Hospice Care in Colton, California. We went there today to visit an old friend who was diagnosed about a year ago with the same kind of cancer that I have. However, unlike me, she is not experiencing the successes of treatment and appears to be just a few days or so away from meeting our Lord, Jesus Christ face to face.
I went to bed early tonight because I didn't feel just right emotionally and now I understand why. The woman's name is Kathy-Marie, a family friend of more than 30 years. She was in a lot of pain today and even to touch her was painful for her. I felt sorry and tried to be as gentle as I could with her. I kissed her and tried to speak to her and family members, but I kept looking back at Kathy-Marie. This woman is probably one of the strongest Christian women I have known in 59 years of life and at just over 60 years or so, she is fighting a losing battle with her disease. Still she glorifies our Lord on the bed she will probably die in. This is probably why I could not sleep tonight. People for 5 years now have commented on how strong my faith is as I go through this relentless cancer but after visiting with Kathy today, I'm not sure I deserve any good words for my faith. Looking at her, she is frail, and weak, unable to move in her bed and being fed through a tube. Yet God is still on the throne she recognized Him on when she first met Him. What a powerful testimony of faith she was to me today. I constantly make mention of the pain that I am in to my wife and I feel somewhat defeated tonight.
While I was laying in bed, God brought a passage of scripture to mind (naturally) and it is from 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 and it says "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (NASB)
So we all "SHALL" be changed and some of us may not fall asleep. The Lord Jesus Christ, has His righteous right hand on us and holds our lives in His hands. All He asks of us is the faith we grow in with Him in our lives.
Now that God has gotten me up out of bed and I have expressed my thoughts, I feel better. I feel sorry that my friend, Kathy-Marie has not been able to enjoy the successful treatment that I have, but at the same time, I feel a little "out of sorts" because soon, she will be welcomed into glory and start her eternity with our Lord.
Last weekend, Barbara and I had the opportunity to enjoy the "Harvest Crusade" in Anaheim California that is put on at Angel's Stadium every year. Pastor Greg Laurie was asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people in God's world? And his answer, which was echoed by Dr. James Dobson was so good and timely. He said, "I don't know!" None of us know. However, we do know of the scripture verses above and our faith will get us to that place where we can ask that question of the Creator Himself (as if it will matter at that time).
I don't know why Kathy-Marie is experiencing a different outcome than me, except to say that each of us have an appointed time in life to meet our Creator face to face and it appears that she is up to bat, fairly soon. God loves you, Kathy-Marie, and so do we.
By the way, my father, Dan Stallings was in that same hospice care hospital on the date I wrote above and 4:08 AM, June 6, 2002 was the last breath he took here on earth and the first one he took in front of our God. Hold "fast" to your faith. It is your "reservation confirmation!"
Dave
Today, Barbara and I traveled to a place I had not been to since 4:08 AM June 6, 2002. The place is called Reche Canyon Rehab and Hospice Care in Colton, California. We went there today to visit an old friend who was diagnosed about a year ago with the same kind of cancer that I have. However, unlike me, she is not experiencing the successes of treatment and appears to be just a few days or so away from meeting our Lord, Jesus Christ face to face.
I went to bed early tonight because I didn't feel just right emotionally and now I understand why. The woman's name is Kathy-Marie, a family friend of more than 30 years. She was in a lot of pain today and even to touch her was painful for her. I felt sorry and tried to be as gentle as I could with her. I kissed her and tried to speak to her and family members, but I kept looking back at Kathy-Marie. This woman is probably one of the strongest Christian women I have known in 59 years of life and at just over 60 years or so, she is fighting a losing battle with her disease. Still she glorifies our Lord on the bed she will probably die in. This is probably why I could not sleep tonight. People for 5 years now have commented on how strong my faith is as I go through this relentless cancer but after visiting with Kathy today, I'm not sure I deserve any good words for my faith. Looking at her, she is frail, and weak, unable to move in her bed and being fed through a tube. Yet God is still on the throne she recognized Him on when she first met Him. What a powerful testimony of faith she was to me today. I constantly make mention of the pain that I am in to my wife and I feel somewhat defeated tonight.
While I was laying in bed, God brought a passage of scripture to mind (naturally) and it is from 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 and it says "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (NASB)
So we all "SHALL" be changed and some of us may not fall asleep. The Lord Jesus Christ, has His righteous right hand on us and holds our lives in His hands. All He asks of us is the faith we grow in with Him in our lives.
Now that God has gotten me up out of bed and I have expressed my thoughts, I feel better. I feel sorry that my friend, Kathy-Marie has not been able to enjoy the successful treatment that I have, but at the same time, I feel a little "out of sorts" because soon, she will be welcomed into glory and start her eternity with our Lord.
Last weekend, Barbara and I had the opportunity to enjoy the "Harvest Crusade" in Anaheim California that is put on at Angel's Stadium every year. Pastor Greg Laurie was asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people in God's world? And his answer, which was echoed by Dr. James Dobson was so good and timely. He said, "I don't know!" None of us know. However, we do know of the scripture verses above and our faith will get us to that place where we can ask that question of the Creator Himself (as if it will matter at that time).
I don't know why Kathy-Marie is experiencing a different outcome than me, except to say that each of us have an appointed time in life to meet our Creator face to face and it appears that she is up to bat, fairly soon. God loves you, Kathy-Marie, and so do we.
By the way, my father, Dan Stallings was in that same hospice care hospital on the date I wrote above and 4:08 AM, June 6, 2002 was the last breath he took here on earth and the first one he took in front of our God. Hold "fast" to your faith. It is your "reservation confirmation!"
Dave
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Re: Another kind of "disaster".....
Just wanted to share this little "tidbit" with those of you who are watching the "signs of the times" as it goes. Verses 34 thru 36 of Matthew 10 say, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, ... and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD." (NASB)
If you are paying attention to what is happening on our planet earth, then you see and hear about earthquakes, and floods and famines and disasters of severe magnitude. You also, some of you, experience a type of other "disaster" and that is family resentment and persecution as you try your best to live for Christ. It has happened to others and it has happened to me just this week in trying to do what I 'thought' was the right thing to do....but the enemy was not going to allow that to happen...instead, he turned in back on me...sobeit...it happened to Jesus all the time....it's just sad....and I'm sad....but doesn't change what is true and what is false...
People listen; it is happening all over the world and it's cause is evident. The Lord, our Messiah is soon to return and He told us that these would be the signs of His soon return.
Love hurts. Family and loved ones get hurt and most of the time it is caused by "the truth of God". Jesus caused an "uproar" everywhere He went because people did not and still "do not" want to hear the truth...But if I could advise one thing, it would be to keep walkin' and talkin' for Jesus. After all, that's why we are here. And don't be discouraged but consider the trials that Jesus Christ Himself went through and explained to the disciples that would happen in the last days and rejoice in His soon return.
Trying not to be too personal, it is important that we all see the world through God's eyes. Some of my family call Barb and I "holier than thou" and "without compassion" only because we speak the truth and they don't like what they hear....the ones that know us best, know that those two phrases are the furthest thing from describing "Dave and Barb" (lol ! You know who you are !) Let "them" call us whatever.... I will continue to follow the direction of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at whatever cost may arrive and the truth will always come out in the end...
God help us during these trials.
Dave
If you are paying attention to what is happening on our planet earth, then you see and hear about earthquakes, and floods and famines and disasters of severe magnitude. You also, some of you, experience a type of other "disaster" and that is family resentment and persecution as you try your best to live for Christ. It has happened to others and it has happened to me just this week in trying to do what I 'thought' was the right thing to do....but the enemy was not going to allow that to happen...instead, he turned in back on me...sobeit...it happened to Jesus all the time....it's just sad....and I'm sad....but doesn't change what is true and what is false...
People listen; it is happening all over the world and it's cause is evident. The Lord, our Messiah is soon to return and He told us that these would be the signs of His soon return.
Love hurts. Family and loved ones get hurt and most of the time it is caused by "the truth of God". Jesus caused an "uproar" everywhere He went because people did not and still "do not" want to hear the truth...But if I could advise one thing, it would be to keep walkin' and talkin' for Jesus. After all, that's why we are here. And don't be discouraged but consider the trials that Jesus Christ Himself went through and explained to the disciples that would happen in the last days and rejoice in His soon return.
Trying not to be too personal, it is important that we all see the world through God's eyes. Some of my family call Barb and I "holier than thou" and "without compassion" only because we speak the truth and they don't like what they hear....the ones that know us best, know that those two phrases are the furthest thing from describing "Dave and Barb" (lol ! You know who you are !) Let "them" call us whatever.... I will continue to follow the direction of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at whatever cost may arrive and the truth will always come out in the end...
God help us during these trials.
Dave
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