IN HIS HANDS

Several years ago I attended a writer's conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.  There I had the privilege of meeting a beautiful young wife and mother, Kim Dillard.  Kim's story captivated me.

Her husband, Steve, had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and basically was given a "death sentence".  However, God had other plans.  By His amazing grace and mercy, He directed them to one of the top 3 brain surgeons in the world who practiced....where else but Little Rock, Arkansas.  Dr. Yasargil performed the delicate surgery and Steve made a remarkable recovery.

I "friended" Kim on Facebook some time ago and today I saw a post from her that indicated that Steve was once again undergoing chemotherapy.  I went to his Caring Bridge website and began to read of his latest journey which began in April of 2010.
Steve has once again had a brain tumor to develop in the exact spot of the previous one.  Surgery and treatment have followed.

When I first met Kim she was beginning a ministry of encouragement and her theme was HOPE.  We lost touch after a while and only re-connected through Facebook.  As I ran across her post today and went to the CB site, I began to read her posts from the time of Steve's diagnosis in April.  I am only into May so far, but I have been SO blessed by what I've read that I just HAD to post it and share it with you today. 

I know SO many who are hurting, struggling and wondering what in the world God is up to in their lives.  Maybe you are one of them.  If not, you probably know someone who is and, if so, I pray that you will share this with them.  I pray that Kim's words will be an encouragement to you.  And Kim...if you read this...I thank you for allowing God to speak through your pain.  God bless you!


"[God] gives good gifts and perfect gifts. Can we accept the blessings that come from God and refuse to embrace the times of pain and suffering that teach us lessons about His character and ours?



Psalms 16:5 says, "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup. You have made my lot, secure."



I have meditated on that verse a lot this week. Our cup and our portion is our life, our circumstances, our relationships, our dreams, it is all that is going on in our lives right now. The verse says that it was assigned by the Lord. Personally chosen. Hand picked. Divinely assigned! That means that whatever I am going through has come straight from God's heart to mine. He has chosen what is in my cup based on what is best for me. I have 2 choices. I can fling the cup to the ground and reject the path God has allowed or I can offer the cup to Him, trusting He knows what is best. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, 3 times, he begged and he pleaded for the Father to "let this cup, pass from me." Then in complete surrender of His own plans and agenda, he cried, "not my will, but yours be done." God did not remove the cup of Christ's suffering. God knew the ultimate goal and plan. It was the only way of purchasing redemption for mankind. Heart wrenching? YES! Painful? Extremely! Worth it? Absolutely!

The end of the verse says, "you (God) have made my lot, secure."


"lot" as defined by Webster is: over all circumstances and conditions in life, including every thing that happens to you.



WOW! That is my "lot" and that is what Christ has made secure.


So let's think of this verse in light of these definitions.



Lord, you have carefully picked and chosen for me,(my cup and my portion) my life, my circumstances, my relationships, and my dreams and all the events taking place in my life, right now. You have made my (lot) circumstances and conditions in life, including every thing that happens to me to be secure.


One more thought--  God did not take away Christ's suffering even though, He asked.  But....God did send angels to minister to Him during his darkest and most difficult hours."

 

CAMP DAVID

Camp David is my favorite "camping ground". No, I don't mean the presidential retreat. Nor do I mean the kind of camping you do in a tent. (My idea of that kind of camping is a Hampton Inn). No, I am referring to camping out in terms of taking up temporary residence, parking, hanging out....so to speak. Now that I have your attention and you are TOTALLY confused, I will give you the REAL meaning. I LOVE the book of Psalms!!!!!!!

When I am discouraged, lonely, afraid, anxious, worried, or don't know which way to turn, I turn to the book of Psalms. It is my FAVORITE book of the Bible!! Beth Moore has recently written a Bible study on Psalms which our women's ministry will begin the end of this month. I can't tell you how EXCITED I am!!!!!!!!!!!

Several times lately I've referred my friends to "Camp David". I don' t think there is anywhere in the Bible that you can "park" and be comforted and encouraged and uplifted, quite like Camp David.

I'd like to share some of my favorite passages with you.

Psalm 1 - In this Psalm David contrasts a godly person with an ungodly person. There is a progression of sin as defined in verse 1....walking, standing and sitting (I wrote about this on September 16, 2007) Then there is the one who plants his life in the Lord, putting down deep roots, producing much fruit and being successful. Such simple directions for LIFE!

Psalm 3:3 God is the "lifter up of my head". I just picture Him with his finger beneath my chin, tilting my face up to look into His eyes of love, saying gently to me "Child....it is ok. I'm here."

Psalm 6: 2 "Have mercy on me O Lord, for I am weak". How often I've cried out to Him in those very words. That is why I love David so much. He expresses my feelings perfectly. It is almost as if he has written exactly what I am feeling. So personal!

Psalm 7:9, 16 I have a note that I wrote out beside this verse in March of 2003. It reads "Saddam". Enough said.

Psalm 13: 6 "I will sing unto the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me!" BOUNTIFULLY!!!! God does not skimp on His goodness to us.

These are just a few of the verses that God has used to comfort and encourage me. If you have never spent time at Camp David, I urge you to pay it a visit. God will meet you there and will deal BOUNTIFULLY with you !!!!!!!! More tomorrow.....