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

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

Feel Like You've Been "Rode Hard And Put Away Wet"?

Have you ever felt like an "old baseball glove"?  I'm talking about a old glove that maybe Babe Ruth inherited way back when he was just a child.  People ever treat you like "shoe leather"?  Well it happens every day in our lives.  Perhaps people don't mean to treat you that way, but that's the way they come over as they communicate with you.  You're just an old, no good, worn out glove, no longer usable in today's game.

Listen to this passage of scripture: "...in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.  I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;  I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.  Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.  Who is weak without my being weak?  Who is led into sin without my intense concern?  If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness..."  (2 Corinthians 11:25 and following).   This is Paul as he describes all of the different events in his life that could have made him feel like an "old baseball glove."  No longer valuable to mankind or useful for the purposes of God.

You ever feel that, "used and abused" by friends and loved ones?  I've felt like that on occasion.  I do, however have a better understanding of God's purpose for me and He values me far more so than an "old baseball glove." 

So just remember when people are hurtful (and sometimes they don't realize it) that God's purpose for you is a purpose that He knows that only you can achieve for His glory.  So reject the treatment, ask God to forgive their attitude and "journey on" just as Paul did after all these things happened to him.  You see, you are so much more important to God than some "old baseball glove" that perhaps someone else is treating you like.

God loves you with everything He used for Creation.  Don't ever lose sight of that fact.  It's easy to get alone and feel sorry for yourself, especially when treated bad by mean spirited people.  Hold your head up and remember that you haven't yet been "beaten with rods" or "left bobbing in the sea over night" or in constant danger from EVERYTHING.

The spirit within you is the light illuminating from God's heart.  Enjoy it.  Also remember that when Paul stood before King Agrippa his comment went something like this:  "I would to God, that whether in a short time or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains" (Acts 26:29).  Even when tied down with chains, Paul's purpose while living, was to share the love of God, NO MATTER WHAT!

Dave

Is There No More Humility?

Tonight I was reading from God's Word and came across Mark 14:65 and after reading it, my thoughts were "Where has the humility gone?"  We live in a society that has to constantly lay out a "resume" of our deeds, our accomplishments, our victories as though we were applying for a job.   Seldom anymore do we see men of great humility, allowing God to receive His glory, but rather, mankind seems to want to be seen AND heard, regardless of who's personality is amplified.

Mark 14:65 says "And some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, 'Prophesy!'  And the officers received Him with slaps in the face."  Just look at the way our Lord and Savior was received by the Roman Guard and the citizens of the court.  Look at the humility shown by our Lord, as they continued to brutally punished Him, with His only crime being that He claimed to be God. 

Then see the "humility" as in John 19 it says, "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him.  And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe; and they began to come up to Him, and say, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'  and to give Him blows in the face."   As I read these scriptures I don't see any pride whatsoever in our Lord but rather the absolute humility of God in the form of a man.

I see so many people promoting themselves or their agenda, mostly in the name of God, but for their benefit.  I see no humility in most of the words I read today.  I certainly don't see anyone "hiding behind the cross" for the glory of God.  They all seem to be standing "in front of the cross" trying to get everyone to listen to them promote themselves.  Even I have been guilty of a lack of humility in the past, but now I "live" behind the cross of Christ ("He must increase but I must decrease." John 3:30, John the Baptist speaking).
I remember reading what Peter said to the lifelong lame man in Acts 3:6, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!"    On January 28, 1985 NASA experienced such a massive disaster it caused our President to reflect on these words about those astronauts who lost their lives, "...they slipped through the surly bonds of heaven to touch the face of God."  Even with an opportunity to achieve political posturing, we see our President, Ronald Reagan showing humility as he hid himself behind the "face of God" in sharing the grief of a Nation.

You (those of you who know the Christ) are perfectly made, by the hand of God and are not required to "blow your own horn" at anytime in this life.  In fact, His command to us was to "blow His horn"  loudly and clearly, so that others would recognize His grace.  Humility is a good thing.

Dave

What A Blessing

Had dinner and a little birthday celebration with some close friends last night (our former next door neighbors).  It is easy to see, in their lives that they have the gift of "Helps" and are a constant ministering couple to others (at least to Barb and I).  We dined and talked, just enjoyed each other's company in general, then we sat on the sofa and had some serious "God talk" with each other. 

It is so refreshing to find others so "tuned in & turned on" to the fact that God not only exists but we do as well, simply for His glory.  They are beautiful people and, Eddie & Kim, "we love you very much."

How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS" (Romans 10:15)!

God bless the feet of those who love and share Him freely.

We love you,

Dave

To God Be The Glory

On Thursday of this week (July 15, 2010) two things will happen.  First of all, I will turn 59 years young and sometimes being this young physically hurts.  Nevertheless, I will be just 365 short days away from the BIG 60.  The other thing that will happen on that day will be the 5th anniversary of the date I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Scientifically speaking, the life span of a person of my age bracket with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma has from 1.3 to 7.9 years of life (at least that is what the science books tell us).  I have been to 4 Support Rallies over these 5 years and every time, stood in the crowd and listened to the speaker say "Every 5 seconds someone in America develops a blood cancer like NHL or Leukemia, and every 10 seconds someone loses their battle with that disease. 

For 5 years now I have carried around an "issue" with that statement because it is not a statement of encouragement or faith, but rather, an admission of failure in human life.  As you may well imagine, I have continually "rejected" that statement because I have read the "Book" and I know what it is that my Father in Heaven has in store for me.  You see, the Bible explains to us that our time here on earth is "fixed" by the Father Himself, and it is He alone who decides which person lives 1.3 years and the person who lives for another 15 years with this disease.  By faith, I have never "picked up" that mantel and simply listen intently to the Father and obey His requests for me.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, naturally my children wondered "Dad, what is it that you wish to do with the rest of your life?"  My answer was, and still is very simple..."Live for Christ" (and travel as much as possible).

To date, my faith in Christ has kept me whole and I continue to use His desire as a "yardstick" for my time here on earth.  Over in El Mirage, Arizona sits the brand new 31 foot Homestead 5th Wheel travel trailer by Starcraft, that I was fortunate (no, blessed by God) to be given to use as my home here until heaven becomes my home.  Tonight (in fact at the time of this writing it is 2:44 AM) will be the last night I spend in the home that my son and daughter-in-law have provided for me, and my precious wife, Barb and I, will begin tomorrow, to embark on yet another journey in life along with our little 4-legged friend "Capt' Jack".

We will begin to see what it is that we can see of America from the steering wheel of a Chevy Silverado Truck and our new "Bed n' Breakfast" on wheels.  I could not be more excited about this new challenge.  A few paragraphs ago "Every 5 seconds someone was diagnosed with NHL and every 10 seconds someone dies from this cancer."  I choose to follow God's directions and allow Him complete control of how much we get to see out there on the road ("To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Hath Done")!

Some people feel sorry for me because I have an incurable cancer.  There are those who worry about my treatment on the road.  And then there are some who say "Atta boy, Dave"!  Five years ago I told my daughter Amy, "It Is What It Is."   Today that statement has developed into "It Is What It Is...Now Whut?"  (http://www.nowwhutaz.blogspot.com/).

Now Whut?  Now we "live".  We live as God intended for us to live.  Simply based on our faith in Him to take care of "every single need" we have until Jesus Christ pounds the last nail into our mansion in glory.  If you can, try to keep up with Barb and I, as we "live" for Christ and drive our little bedroom on wheels down the road..."To God Be The Glory"!

You can track us on "CarePages" and http://www.nowwhutaz.blogspot.com/.  My email address is papadave3@gmail.com and Barb's is grammybarb2@gmail.com.  We each have a cell phone, both listed below.

God bless you all and I hope and pray that your faith continues to strengthen in Christ as you continue to follow Him.

Dave

Upper Room Futility

It's 4:09 AM July 7, 2010 and I was suddenly awakened from my sleep and prompted to get up and testify to the goodness of God in our lives.  Because of the events of the last couple of years, good and bad, one might think that God would be saying to me in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.  For everyone who ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened."  Because truthfully, I have been so blessed over the last several years, I would be the last person who someone would think would be suffering and experiencing physical problems.

However, tonight, when I was awaken, I could (as plain as the nose on my face) hear the Lord direct me to a passage of scripture in John 20:19 and this verse says, "When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them "Peace be with you." 

Of course it "jogged" my memory and I immediately thought of the eleven disciples who finally came together in the "upper room" following the events of the Crucifixion for fear of their own lives and God reminded me of an inspirational piece I read, several dozen times over the years, a piece which gave me both calm and courage at the same time and I wanted to share it with you.

It comes from my favorite book (besides the Bible, naturally) and it is called "Six Hours One Friday" by Max Lucado.  In chapter 7 he begins by saying, "The church of Jesus Christ began with a group of frightened men in a second-floor room in Jerusalem.  Though trained and taught, they didn't know what to say.  Though they'd marched with Him for three years, they now sat...afraid.  They were timid soldiers, reluctant warriors, speechless messengers.  In fact, the most courageous act was to get up and lock the door.  Some looked out the window, some looked at the floor, but all looked inside themselves.  And well they should because it was an hour of self-examination."*

And I thought, this is who we Christians are, "people with a little bit of faith but very little fire.  A group of confused ambassadors behind locked doors, wondering what will it take to unlock the door."  Well I won't quote anymore because everyone reading this should have this book and read it for themselves.

I will say, however, that even as ambitious as I feel I am, I have very little fire, I have a tremendous amount of fear and doors always seem to be locked and I'm not always sure I want to unlock them.  And then sometimes I'll be sitting down for dinner and just out of nowhere I'll say to the server, "Are you going to heaven" or something like that, just to try to create a situation for an opening for the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus Christ was crucified on that Cross, it must have been "Extremely" traumatic for those who followed Him so close.  All their dreams, all their ideas, all the hope they had built up in one man was spilling on the ground as Jesus bled on that Cross.  I can't even imagine how they must have felt except they were in fear of their own lives simply because they agreed with and followed the Christ so closely.  They were hiding behind a locked door when Jesus, obviously slipping right through the walls said to them "Peace be with you."  How does life get more "shocking" than that?

I remember when the doctor came into the room to confirm that it was indeed cancer that they had discovered all over the inside of my body.  Suddenly "the door was locked".  What was I going to do?  How was I going to continue to be a husband to my wife and a father to my children, and by this time, a grandfather to my grandchildren.  And almost as suddenly as she spoke those words, I can remember being just as calm as if Jesus had just passed through the doctor's walls and into the room where I stood with my Wife, Son, Daughter-In-Law, and Sister-In-Law, and could just as plain as day hear Jesus say "Peace be with you."  From that day on, the door has been unlocked and I pretty much say what's on my mind whenever prompted by the Holy Spirit.

We all experience extreme difficulties in life, and in today's world the anxieties and so much greater than ever before.  But we DO NOT HAVE "Upper room futility!"  We are not confused and afraid to get up and unlock the door.  We live our lives with a power inside of us that literally created the universe and all that goes with it.  That means we ARE in control, prompted by the Holy Spirit and we need not have any fear in this life as we look forward with great anticipation toward the life to come.  And Jesus is asking us to "invite a friend" and we can't do that with the "doors locked."

Are we confused? Perhaps so!  Could we use more training?  I believe so!  What about better strategies?  That would surely help!  A greater world vision?  Undoubtedly!  And maybe even some more money?  That would help.*  But even more than all those things that we believe could help us "unlock the door" and openly share the gospel, unafraid and unashamed, would be exactly what got those disciples out of that "Upper room futility" - "Peace be with you."  A word of encouragement from the Master.  And you've gotta know some wisecracker disciple surely said, 'Hey the door is still locked!!

One more quote from this precious writing and I'll close.  "Think about the first time you ever saw Him.  Think about your first encounter with the Christ.  Robe yourself in that moment.  Resurrect the relief.  Recall the purity.  Sommon forth the passion.  Can you remember?"*

I CAN NEVER FORGET!

Dave

*(quotes from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado).