...That NOTHINGS gonna keep me from God, because His Word is forever hidden in my heart? Wasn't sure so I needed to get back up and clarify that point...lol
God Best Blessing on you today,
Dave (Papa Dave-which is my highest title here on earth)
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Hard Questions Reveal Very Difficult Answers
Today I had my last in this round of chemotherapy and after, an appointment with the Oncologist to get a final reading of the last Bone Marrow Biopsy. I was my jovial self throughout chemo treatment, however I could feel anxiety building up as I waited in the Doctor's office. Of course, we had read some of the report as we HAD to chase it down for the Doctor's office and naturally some of the 19 letter words were a little baffling.
So we asked all of our questions, as difficult as they were and were given difficult responses which left the decisions for my treatment right back in my lap. Ever wish someone in the car would just decide where we are going to eat and go there? Well, I kind of felt like that this afternoon. My Son and Daughter-in-Law were there to hear his findings.
My wife and I have battled "valiantly" against these diseases for coming up on 6 years now and have been very strong and God-inspired about the treatment. However, at this point the options (or rules) have changed. The MDS consults from UCLA in California were without emotional involvement, naturally so the results left us needing to make some very critical decisions.
Since the day it was announced that I had cancer, it has always been a "God" problem with me and tonight that remains the same. We have to make some very critical decisions for which we will continue to ask for God's guidance. I have lived my adult Christian life with the idea that "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength"!
I wrote this tonight knowing that most who read this will get it in the morning and honor me with prayer along with my wife and family who all have pressing decisions to make by the end of the month.
God bless you all and I will try to right again soon,
Dave
So we asked all of our questions, as difficult as they were and were given difficult responses which left the decisions for my treatment right back in my lap. Ever wish someone in the car would just decide where we are going to eat and go there? Well, I kind of felt like that this afternoon. My Son and Daughter-in-Law were there to hear his findings.
My wife and I have battled "valiantly" against these diseases for coming up on 6 years now and have been very strong and God-inspired about the treatment. However, at this point the options (or rules) have changed. The MDS consults from UCLA in California were without emotional involvement, naturally so the results left us needing to make some very critical decisions.
Since the day it was announced that I had cancer, it has always been a "God" problem with me and tonight that remains the same. We have to make some very critical decisions for which we will continue to ask for God's guidance. I have lived my adult Christian life with the idea that "I can do all things through Christ who is my strength"!
I wrote this tonight knowing that most who read this will get it in the morning and honor me with prayer along with my wife and family who all have pressing decisions to make by the end of the month.
God bless you all and I will try to right again soon,
Dave
Monday, June 6, 2011
My Redeemer Lives
Here is sit, the hour approaching 3 AM and I have just finished listening to a CD of songs sung by a famous Christian Artist, Steve Greene, and he finished his CD with "I know that My Redeemer lives" and it brought me to my feet and out into the living room where my trusty laptop sits and waits patiently for Words from God.
My thoughts turn to Revelation where Jesus Christ says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last" and it helps me to realize that My Redeemer does indeed live, within my heart and as I lay in bed, hands and arms lifted in praise to Him, I want all who can hear (read) my thoughts to know that it is an awesome picture just to see and believe that our Lord Jesus, not only lives, but sits at the right hand of the Father, continually making intercession for us here.
These last few days have been difficult for me emotionally, as I have pondered the news about my bone marrow and the trouble it continues to cause my body, however, as I found myself lifting my hands toward the Lord while the music was playing, I thought of how much I wish to be with my Heavenly Father, along with my Lord, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit, in worship 24/7 in my new home which He has prepared for me...that promise is in John chapter 14 and He is just waiting the Father's command to come for another of His little ones for an eternity.
I wonder! Are there others of you who think like that? Surely I am not the only one who "Yearns" for the return of the Lord, Jesus or waits "impatiently" for my opportunity to go to Him. Some of you MUST feel this way, yet I never get responses from anyone saying that they are so in love with the Lord that their every thought is in His second coming or our coming home to Him.
Well, I just wanted to tell you so that there is no doubt, that I humbly, impatiently, absolutely, definitely, anxiously, happily, filled with joy, anticipate His soon return for His Bride, the church, or our departure from this temporary home to be with Our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit so I can daily sit and worship His glory.
Sound a little mushy, maybe? Well, I'm not ashamed. That act alone completes the reason I was created onto this earth, to finally have eternally communion with the Lord. Are you that anxious? If you're not, I think that you might have your seeds planted too deep in this temporal earth where our time is limited, whereas our time in Heaven is eternal...eliminating all time and space as we worship. God.
Just thought I'd bring that to your attention. Longing for the return of the Lord or your day of meeting Him face-to-face, should be uppermost in your mind and heart as you stroll this earth sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
I love you, and I definitely Love the Lord.
Dave
My thoughts turn to Revelation where Jesus Christ says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last" and it helps me to realize that My Redeemer does indeed live, within my heart and as I lay in bed, hands and arms lifted in praise to Him, I want all who can hear (read) my thoughts to know that it is an awesome picture just to see and believe that our Lord Jesus, not only lives, but sits at the right hand of the Father, continually making intercession for us here.
These last few days have been difficult for me emotionally, as I have pondered the news about my bone marrow and the trouble it continues to cause my body, however, as I found myself lifting my hands toward the Lord while the music was playing, I thought of how much I wish to be with my Heavenly Father, along with my Lord, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit, in worship 24/7 in my new home which He has prepared for me...that promise is in John chapter 14 and He is just waiting the Father's command to come for another of His little ones for an eternity.
I wonder! Are there others of you who think like that? Surely I am not the only one who "Yearns" for the return of the Lord, Jesus or waits "impatiently" for my opportunity to go to Him. Some of you MUST feel this way, yet I never get responses from anyone saying that they are so in love with the Lord that their every thought is in His second coming or our coming home to Him.
Well, I just wanted to tell you so that there is no doubt, that I humbly, impatiently, absolutely, definitely, anxiously, happily, filled with joy, anticipate His soon return for His Bride, the church, or our departure from this temporary home to be with Our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit so I can daily sit and worship His glory.
Sound a little mushy, maybe? Well, I'm not ashamed. That act alone completes the reason I was created onto this earth, to finally have eternally communion with the Lord. Are you that anxious? If you're not, I think that you might have your seeds planted too deep in this temporal earth where our time is limited, whereas our time in Heaven is eternal...eliminating all time and space as we worship. God.
Just thought I'd bring that to your attention. Longing for the return of the Lord or your day of meeting Him face-to-face, should be uppermost in your mind and heart as you stroll this earth sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
I love you, and I definitely Love the Lord.
Dave
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
To Live In Glory
Have you ever wanted something so bad that you were willing to give up most anything in the world to obtain it? Sure you have. We have all been there. As children, we NEEDED that special toy, as adolesence' we MUST HAVE that boyfriend or girlfriend (no matter the cost), as young teenagers, if we don't get that "iPad" "iPod" "I',m Peeved" or whatever the latest electronic sensation was, we were MOSTLY DEAD!
Life is like that..."we want what we want when we want it" and that's just the total sum of our patience as human beings. Let me tell you why I bring this up (I was going to anyway).
Over the last 4 or 5 weeks, Barb and I, in the middle of our "Valley of Baca or Way of Sorrow" (Ps. 84:6) had the pleasure of visitors all from out of state and one even out of the country. First our precious friend came from Cabo St. Lucas to visit us, he came as our friend and ministered to our hearts. He came without invitation (not that that matters, of course) but he wanted to see for himself how Dave and Barb were doing and he is so prayerful for us knowing what we are involved in health wise. In fact he is the one I wrote about a couple of devotions ago. Then guess what? My Mother calls and plans to come to physically check on her son. It was a short but sweet visit and I loved it I'm not finished.
Not very long after my Mother's visit we get a call from, would you believe it, we got a call from a couple that we grew very close to and have known for decades and they drove their Harley Davidson motorcycle out, to spend a few days with us. Naturally they are precious friends and we absolutely had a "blast".
And just last night we said goodbye to a man and woman that we graduated from Seminary with back in the middle 80's. Yes, they called and had already booked a hotel room just a few miles from our home and they were taking these days away from home JUST to visit with us from Northern California. And tonight as I sit here thinking of all the goings on (of course, we're tired), I would have given up anything materialistic to experience this 4 to 5 week spread of great joy for Barb and I. And the last to come, Thom and Sandi, two of the most admirable people I know, showed us a VERY GOOD TIME and we laughed and cried, talked and ate (mostly ate) and had such a wonderful time in fellowship with them. AND I WANTED IT! I relished each visit willing to give up most anything I owned just to be in all of their company.
One day, a couple thousand years ago, a young man, in His prime, hung on a cross and said "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit" (Lu 24:46). Where can I go with this? The only place is to the Father in Heaven. You see, our Father wanted us so badly, as He created us so preciously to be His lifelong friend in fellowship and then made provisions for our eternity.
You see, even God, our Father in Heaven, wanted something so bad, that He was willing to give up ANYTHING, and He gave His Son who would cover our sins and create a path to heaven. I was watching my ALL TIME FAVORITE music video (which is on my blog) called "I can only Imagine" and as the tears rolled down my cheeks, God began to write and above is what He said.
I want money! I want a home! I want clothes! I want food! I want shelter! I REALLY want a motor home (a little selfish since I already have a 5th wheel, huh?)! I want peace! I want joy! I want LOVE! But most of all I want to be with Jesus. And I'd be glad to give up all those other things and more to stand in His presence. I'm including the link to "I Can Only Imagine" so you can get a taste of what I am saying and feeling.
http://andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html
God Loves you just the right amount!
Dave
Life is like that..."we want what we want when we want it" and that's just the total sum of our patience as human beings. Let me tell you why I bring this up (I was going to anyway).
Over the last 4 or 5 weeks, Barb and I, in the middle of our "Valley of Baca or Way of Sorrow" (Ps. 84:6) had the pleasure of visitors all from out of state and one even out of the country. First our precious friend came from Cabo St. Lucas to visit us, he came as our friend and ministered to our hearts. He came without invitation (not that that matters, of course) but he wanted to see for himself how Dave and Barb were doing and he is so prayerful for us knowing what we are involved in health wise. In fact he is the one I wrote about a couple of devotions ago. Then guess what? My Mother calls and plans to come to physically check on her son. It was a short but sweet visit and I loved it I'm not finished.
Not very long after my Mother's visit we get a call from, would you believe it, we got a call from a couple that we grew very close to and have known for decades and they drove their Harley Davidson motorcycle out, to spend a few days with us. Naturally they are precious friends and we absolutely had a "blast".
And just last night we said goodbye to a man and woman that we graduated from Seminary with back in the middle 80's. Yes, they called and had already booked a hotel room just a few miles from our home and they were taking these days away from home JUST to visit with us from Northern California. And tonight as I sit here thinking of all the goings on (of course, we're tired), I would have given up anything materialistic to experience this 4 to 5 week spread of great joy for Barb and I. And the last to come, Thom and Sandi, two of the most admirable people I know, showed us a VERY GOOD TIME and we laughed and cried, talked and ate (mostly ate) and had such a wonderful time in fellowship with them. AND I WANTED IT! I relished each visit willing to give up most anything I owned just to be in all of their company.
One day, a couple thousand years ago, a young man, in His prime, hung on a cross and said "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit" (Lu 24:46). Where can I go with this? The only place is to the Father in Heaven. You see, our Father wanted us so badly, as He created us so preciously to be His lifelong friend in fellowship and then made provisions for our eternity.
You see, even God, our Father in Heaven, wanted something so bad, that He was willing to give up ANYTHING, and He gave His Son who would cover our sins and create a path to heaven. I was watching my ALL TIME FAVORITE music video (which is on my blog) called "I can only Imagine" and as the tears rolled down my cheeks, God began to write and above is what He said.
I want money! I want a home! I want clothes! I want food! I want shelter! I REALLY want a motor home (a little selfish since I already have a 5th wheel, huh?)! I want peace! I want joy! I want LOVE! But most of all I want to be with Jesus. And I'd be glad to give up all those other things and more to stand in His presence. I'm including the link to "I Can Only Imagine" so you can get a taste of what I am saying and feeling.
http://andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html
God Loves you just the right amount!
Dave
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Make It A Spring
"How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee. In whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring. The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion." (Psalm 84: 5-7)
Today, Barb had her appointed time with our beloved Chiropractor, Dr. D., and ALWAYS, while there we have a Biblical discussion during her "bend and flex" session. And of course, today was no different than it has been for over a decade or two, perhaps.
Anyway, Dr. D asked me if there was anything that had settled in my heart during this week from God's Word and naturally (those of you who know me know that) I had a response. In fact, just last week in a home Bible study we had gone through the 3rd book of The Psalms and of course my second favorite verse of scripture in Psalms (second only to Psalms 51) is in chapter 84 and so I shared with him these verses and explained how important it is for us to recognize that we are not merely passing on scripture but "building wells" in life as people come after us, those who suffer some of life's difficulties that we have.
How important it is that as His disciples that while we are experiencing these difficult times in life, that we stop long enough to dig a well ("make it a spring") so that when these others pass this way, they too, will be able to be refreshed along the way. There is so much more joy than sorrow as we suffer trials if we know and truly understand God's Holy Word. We actually have the ability to help another that we may in fact, never meet in this life as they travel through this sorrow.
"The valley of Baca" also known as "the way of sorrow". Not much to look at and certainly not overwhelmingly encouraging, but God puts it in just a way that we can see His glory in the act.
Your facing a trial this very day, in your life. Are you sitting in a corner feeling very sorry, or are you making "the way of sorrow" a place of refreshment for another somewhere down the road. They say that "beauty is in the eye's of the beholder"! I say the gift of mercy is in the "heart of the sufferer."
Maybe we all should start carrying a shovel around with us.
To my precious friend...Dr. D
Dave
Today, Barb had her appointed time with our beloved Chiropractor, Dr. D., and ALWAYS, while there we have a Biblical discussion during her "bend and flex" session. And of course, today was no different than it has been for over a decade or two, perhaps.
Anyway, Dr. D asked me if there was anything that had settled in my heart during this week from God's Word and naturally (those of you who know me know that) I had a response. In fact, just last week in a home Bible study we had gone through the 3rd book of The Psalms and of course my second favorite verse of scripture in Psalms (second only to Psalms 51) is in chapter 84 and so I shared with him these verses and explained how important it is for us to recognize that we are not merely passing on scripture but "building wells" in life as people come after us, those who suffer some of life's difficulties that we have.
How important it is that as His disciples that while we are experiencing these difficult times in life, that we stop long enough to dig a well ("make it a spring") so that when these others pass this way, they too, will be able to be refreshed along the way. There is so much more joy than sorrow as we suffer trials if we know and truly understand God's Holy Word. We actually have the ability to help another that we may in fact, never meet in this life as they travel through this sorrow.
"The valley of Baca" also known as "the way of sorrow". Not much to look at and certainly not overwhelmingly encouraging, but God puts it in just a way that we can see His glory in the act.
Your facing a trial this very day, in your life. Are you sitting in a corner feeling very sorry, or are you making "the way of sorrow" a place of refreshment for another somewhere down the road. They say that "beauty is in the eye's of the beholder"! I say the gift of mercy is in the "heart of the sufferer."
Maybe we all should start carrying a shovel around with us.
To my precious friend...Dr. D
Dave
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The End Of The World!
Over the last couple of weeks, a Christian radio station here in the Phoenix area has been proclaiming, with more than plenty of support, that today, our world will end, and the Lord Jesus Christ will return for His bride, the church. Let me be one to say that I would not be able to be MORE happy if that were true, however having studied the Word of God for lots of years (probably just as this pastor from the radio), I would be the first to say this is a complete and utter falsehood and this pastor is in fact, a "false teacher".
Especially if he has studied his Bible, then he well knows that God's Word, straight from the mouth of Jesus claims that "no man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven". In old testament times, if a prophet was found to be a false teacher, even if by only 5%, it would be suggested that he be "stoned" to death. In today's society, our only recourse (aside from boycotting his programs) is to be held as a "laughing stock" in the Christian world.
The non-believer already has plenty to look around the world and criticize we Christians about, we surely don't need another, who professes to study God's Word, "mocking" our faith. So here I sit at 12:20AM on May 21, 2011 wondering where these knuckleheads come from. I believe that they can come from a breed of people that truly do read God's Word and want to understand but really have a difficult time in getting their hearts in line with God's Word and so whatever thoughts they may conjure up at the moment become a reality to them and some, are sufficiently endowed with money so that they may disrupt the normal flow and continuity of God's Absolute plan. And they, "open their mouths" leaving all doubts behind.
Might I suggest to some that there is an alternative to such nonsense. And that is the exegetical study of God's Word, allowing His speaking and teaching to flow from us rather than trying to "squeeze" our thoughts into His Word and make them work.
Jesus said in John chapter 14 that, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me," and this is written after Jesus has promised that He is going to prepare our eternity. The second a human being picks up God's Word and intentionally attempts to "cram" his/her thoughts into God's Holy Word and make them gospel, he/she, at that point, has "isogeticaly recreated" the message of God, away from the "Absolute" meaning of God, to some other philosophy of mankind.
We are NOT (any of us) the interpreter of God's Infinite thoughts but rather the recipient of His Grace "AS IT IS WRITTEN"!
My prayers as I sit here tonight trying to help us all better understand God's purpose, is that He TRULY does come today, May 21, 2011, and rapture His bride, the church from the chaos we find ourselves in currently, but even more importantly is that our faith teaches us from one day to the next that we are His children, subject to His word and not our humble desires.
In my physical condition, I have prayed many times, "Maranatha (come quickly) Lord Jesus" which continues to be my prayer tonight. However until I hear that "TRUMPET" and see my Savior, mounted upon His beautiful steed, I will remain, the disciple He called me to be, honest and true to His word and not to those who would, so recklessly, attempt to gain something by distortion.
We of faith are waiting on you, Lord Jesus. Please do come as soon as directed by our Father in Heaven.
Dave
Especially if he has studied his Bible, then he well knows that God's Word, straight from the mouth of Jesus claims that "no man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven". In old testament times, if a prophet was found to be a false teacher, even if by only 5%, it would be suggested that he be "stoned" to death. In today's society, our only recourse (aside from boycotting his programs) is to be held as a "laughing stock" in the Christian world.
The non-believer already has plenty to look around the world and criticize we Christians about, we surely don't need another, who professes to study God's Word, "mocking" our faith. So here I sit at 12:20AM on May 21, 2011 wondering where these knuckleheads come from. I believe that they can come from a breed of people that truly do read God's Word and want to understand but really have a difficult time in getting their hearts in line with God's Word and so whatever thoughts they may conjure up at the moment become a reality to them and some, are sufficiently endowed with money so that they may disrupt the normal flow and continuity of God's Absolute plan. And they, "open their mouths" leaving all doubts behind.
Might I suggest to some that there is an alternative to such nonsense. And that is the exegetical study of God's Word, allowing His speaking and teaching to flow from us rather than trying to "squeeze" our thoughts into His Word and make them work.
Jesus said in John chapter 14 that, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me," and this is written after Jesus has promised that He is going to prepare our eternity. The second a human being picks up God's Word and intentionally attempts to "cram" his/her thoughts into God's Holy Word and make them gospel, he/she, at that point, has "isogeticaly recreated" the message of God, away from the "Absolute" meaning of God, to some other philosophy of mankind.
We are NOT (any of us) the interpreter of God's Infinite thoughts but rather the recipient of His Grace "AS IT IS WRITTEN"!
My prayers as I sit here tonight trying to help us all better understand God's purpose, is that He TRULY does come today, May 21, 2011, and rapture His bride, the church from the chaos we find ourselves in currently, but even more importantly is that our faith teaches us from one day to the next that we are His children, subject to His word and not our humble desires.
In my physical condition, I have prayed many times, "Maranatha (come quickly) Lord Jesus" which continues to be my prayer tonight. However until I hear that "TRUMPET" and see my Savior, mounted upon His beautiful steed, I will remain, the disciple He called me to be, honest and true to His word and not to those who would, so recklessly, attempt to gain something by distortion.
We of faith are waiting on you, Lord Jesus. Please do come as soon as directed by our Father in Heaven.
Dave
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Update From Previous Post
My wife received a phone call from Juan in Mexico City and he is doing fine and returned to his homeland safely. What was "very" exciting about his phone call is that he told my wife that he cannot get my conversation with him about Jesus Christ out of his heart. Perhaps now that a seed has been planted, the Holy Spirit will take over.
A real quick request would be to pray for Juan. He knows of God. Now he needs to take action and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit by asking Christ into his heart. We remain in contact with him.
God is Good.
(Yeah, it's 3:30 in the morning. Having a lot of trouble getting to sleep).
Dave
A real quick request would be to pray for Juan. He knows of God. Now he needs to take action and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit by asking Christ into his heart. We remain in contact with him.
God is Good.
(Yeah, it's 3:30 in the morning. Having a lot of trouble getting to sleep).
Dave
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