August 1, 2018 - "Do It Again", Elevation Worship

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they'd fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle's won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence,
You've never failed me yet

I know the night won't last
Your Word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again
Jesus, You're still enough
Keep me within Your love
My heart will sing Your praise again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet

I've seen You move, come move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I'll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet
And You never failed me yet
I never will forget

July 31, 2018 - Second post

Three years ago tonight, we had an early anniversary celebration with our family. 

Three years later - God is still teaching us. The more turns in the road, the more grateful I am for the One who is guiding our future! 

Here are excerpts of my FB post from that day:

Winding Road

Today has been a wonderful day! We got together for a delightful "early anniversary" dinner. It was delicious! Then we hung out on the Peabody roof for a little while as the sun was setting. The weather was perfect and the view was beautiful.

Earlier today, I had an appointment with the plastic surgeon. Follow-up surgeries are sometimes needed after reconstruction, and by the end of the appointment, we were making arrangements for surgery. That will be happening in early October. I'm not overly concerned, but another surgery and recovery in 2015 hadn't really been on my radar.

Monday, we head back to the eye doctor for an angiogram of my eye to see what's up.

A winding road. That's what this week has been. Things I LOVE and things unexpected. Life is like that. We do not always know what's around the next corner - but we are NEVER alone on this journey. As unexpected things have happened, God's peace and presence has increased. What used to feel like a roller coaster, now feels like a winding road. It is all about perspective!! And I intend to sit back and enjoy the view.

“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Romans 5:3-5 MSG

July 31, 2018

Paul had an incredible attitude about the “what ifs” in his life. He had the mind-set of bring it on. The Pharisees couldn’t stand him, but they found his attitude made it impossible to stop him. They threw him in prison and he said, “That’s OK. Give me some parchment and ink. I’ll write some letters to the churches. I’ll write to them about how to have joy in all circumstances.”

They chained him to a prison guard and he said, “That’s OK. I’ll tell him about Jesus. As a matter-of-fact, I’ll bring his whole family to Christ!”

They threatened to kill him and he said, “That’s OK. I’ll get to go to heaven and be with Jesus. What could be better?”

Paul... wasn’t worried or concerned about his future. Paul was at peace with whatever happened on his faith journey because He trusted in the character and love of God. And with a faith like that, the natural consequence is to live bold. And that’s what we can do today! - Sharon Jaynes

“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].” 1 John 4:18 AMPC

July 28, 2018

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this round of my cancer journey, we probably won’t be sharing a whole lot on FB about test results or treatment decisions. I do want to continue to share lessons that I’m learning along the way, because those lessons are true no matter what we may be dealing with. 

In the last four years, as I’ve faced cancer and eye issues and chemo and too many surgeries to count, the biggest takeaway from my story is the realization of how much God loves me. The more I lean into Him for strength and guidance, the more I experience His peace. And I know that what is happening in my life right now isn’t a surprise to God. He has given me joy in some pretty difficult circumstances, and I know that He will continue to do that. 

A few weeks before I found out that cancer may be back, I felt God saying to me, “This [cancer journey] isn’t over and it isn’t a punishment. I know I can trust you to walk this path in a way that glorifies me.” I hadn’t been worried about cancer coming back. I hadn’t thought that what I’d heard God saying would happen so quickly! But when the doctor told us the news, while I was absolutely surprised, I had the most incredible peace. Only God can give that kind of peace. A peace that says “I will never leave you.” A peace that says that He will never abandon us. 

God is good, and He can be trusted with the details of our lives!

July 26, 2018

Our message last weekend at LF was so powerful - I’ve heard people say over and over that it was exactly what they needed for specific situations they are facing.

That is the power of the Bible - the anointed Word of God. Its words speak directly into our souls as we read and study them. Its truth is what keeps me focused as we move toward learning more about my health situation! 

The quote below is from today’s devo; reading this in conjunction with our weekend message - wow!! In multiple ways and through multiple people, God is saying don’t quit, but persevere!

“Between any trial and the blessing that comes from that trial, there is a pathway we must walk — that pathway is perseverance. Perseverance means having an urgency, firmness, resolve, and consistency. And, while the joy of the blessing may seem a long way off, signposts or mile markers of joy line the way. These will help us persevere with resolve and consistency if we ‘consider’ them. - Lysa TerKeurst

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

July 24, 2018

The past week has been one of the most surreal in my life. The “many emotions of Kathy” are reflected in my recent FB posts. One moment celebrating. One moment reflecting. One moment laughing so hard I was doubled over. The next, sobbing for a few minutes. On behalf of our family, thank you to each person who has prayed for us, laughed and cried with us, and walked with us, just generally following our lead as we navigate new terrain. 

Right after I realized I’d been wearing two different shoes all night 👍, I read this quote and it seems so perfect for this particular moment. 

If we want to grow in our faith, all it takes is obedience to go where God is leading. That’s it. That’s all - and that is everything. 

Obedience doesn’t require perfection on our part. It doesn’t require an understanding of why things are happening, or agreement with the plan. Obedience requires that we are submissive to God’s plan. Even when it’s painful. Knowing that He knows a lot more about the future than we do, and that He has plans for our good, whether the plans seem good to us or not. 

“Plans for our good” by God’s definition, aren’t so mundane as to mean “they lived happily ever after.” His plans are about more than this temporary place where we currently reside. His plans last forever, and include a place we can’t begin to comprehend. He is only asking us to trust and obey

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

July 23, 2018

You know the feeling when something “big” has happened but you don’t remember when you first wake up? Then whatever it is comes back to you - the new reality. That happened to me last week. The morning after our visit to the oncologist, I forgot when I first opened my eyes. Then it came back to me and for a few minutes, I felt fear - fear of the unknown, the future. Fear of things that haven’t happened and things that I can’t control. 

Then God reminded me of a phrase my eye doctor had used recently about my torn retina. “For today, it’s good.” And immediately the verse in Matthew 6:34 came to mind: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

It’s okay that we don’t know the future. God does. All He wants us to do is to trust Him for this day. There is such an amazing peace in thinking just about today, because we actually LIVE in this day. We SEE the people around us, and FOCUS on the task before us. 

I am so thankful for the lessons God has for us. They are right in front of us - and we have a choice to fret about the future or choose joy for today. 

Choice made!!