Stagger Not

^“He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” (Romans 4: 20, 21)

The Lord has spoken to my heart that I am in a time of “staggering not; and a time of full persuasion”. I am to focus on these two areas now. The latest scan from November showed that the cancer is still in my body, but not as pronounced as it was in September’s image.

The peritoneum (from the Greek peri-around + tonos-stretching) is a thin membrane that forms the lining of the abdomen. It covers all of the organs within the abdomen and also acts a conduit for blood, lymphatic vessels and nerves.This lining produces a lubricating fluid so the abdominal organs can slide around easily and prevent them from sticking together.

I’ve been told the cancer that spread from my colon to my peritoneum is hard to locate on scans. Cells from my peritoneum actually float in my abdominal cavity, thereby moving from one location to another. The good news from this report, however, is that these cells have not found a resting place on any other organ, nor are they in my bloodstream or bones. No excess fluid was found in the abdomen, which is a barometer for how well the chemo is working.

As many of you know, I am podcasting a series called “Healing for Everyday”—thirty one episodes featuring the healing Scriptures God has given me since my diagnosis. One of those is Matthew 15: 13:

“But He (Jesus) answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.”

Jesus is addressing the man-made traditions of the Jews, but the one revelation of Scripture can have many applications. In my case, God gave me this passage to address something just as dangerous as the letter of the law that kills: cancer.

When I wield this Scripture in warfare, I “tell” the cancer that it cannot stay in my body because God did not put it there. In addition, I say that as it leaves the peritoneum and abdomen, it will not find any other resting or nesting (hiding) place in my body.

In its uprooting, I also declare that it is not just dead by the fruit, but also by the root. In other words, it’s not just a season of non-bearing—in which case it will return—but it is dead at the roots.

Jesus spoke the same thing to the fig tree in Mark 11: 12-14; 19-24:

“And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

“And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. “And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

^“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith^. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Of course, this is in direct contradiction to what my oncologist in Abilene believes. At least his approach is not like the Doctor of Death in Dallas who curtly told me in July I had six months to live.

Despite my high regard for my doctor, who is compassionate and highly skilled, his words are not the final authority in my life—God is. He alone determines the number and quality of my days as I live in concert with his Word and purpose for my life.

Dr. Kalla says my condition is incurable, and the best he can do is chase the cancer with chemotherapy. His best arsenal can only cripple it so that I can have months (perhaps years) free from the debilitating effects of the drugs before the cancer cells recover and began to multiply again.

How many rounds of chemotherapy I can take will depend on how well my body can hold up under the infusions. At some point, he warns, my body will no longer be able to withstand the drugs and I will enter palliative care.

I reminded him how he once said I was an extraordinary patient—one for the medical journals—because my case never seemed to follow the standard rules for how cancer acts and patients respond.

For instance, my blood work remains solid. He told me the numbers are in range for someone who has NEVER gone through chemotherapy. Thank God!

I believe it’s because I wield two Scriptures as a sword in regards to my blood work. These passages declare that God is upholding my bone marrow and its function:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)

“…He (Jesus) is upholding all things by the word of his power…” (Hebrews 1:3)

Notice that all things are not being upheld by the power of His word, but the WORD of his power. It is as when God said, “Light, be!” It came forth and is continuing-- expanding throughout the cosmos--because the Lord hasn’t told it to stop.

Thus, I informed my oncologist that I wasn’t through breaking the medical profession’s rules. I had a few more planned to surprise them all!

So now, I must focus on staggering not and being fully persuaded, as the Lord instructed. He knows, based on this latest report that says the cancer is still there, that the enemy will try to get me to waver.

In fact, that’s exactly what the word “stagger” means in the Greek: waver. James 1:5-7 reveals the consequences of repeated wavering:

^“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

^“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

The wisdom being sought in these passages refers to seeking instructions from God as what to do in the midst of an affliction or trial.

Ralph Martin, noted author and an associate professor of theology at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, comments:

“If any of you lacks wisdom - The wisdom in context is specifically regarding what God is accomplishing through the trial(s). James is making the point that we don't have to be perplexed by the trial and try to face it with our own natural, fallible wisdom.

"Instead, James says that if we find ourselves in a trial and lack spiritual insight, our "reflex" should be to go to our Father and ask Him for His wisdom, which is the practical application of His Word to everyday situations.” (Martin, R. P. Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary: James. Dallas: Word, Incorporated)

As a result, the wisdom I pursued has cautioned me--at this given point in my recovery--to stagger not and make sure I am fully persuaded.

Right after receiving this insight, I awoke this past Monday morning unable to walk without staggering.  My legs were weak and my gate unsteady throughout the day. Once again, satan had simply confirmed that I heard from God correctly. I did not own his attack as truth, but stood against his wiles with my shield of faith that quenches every fiery dart (Ephesians 6:10-18). Today as I write this update, my legs are once again strong.

Dr. Kalla's plan is to give me my tenth infusion on Tuesday, Dec. 10; then, perhaps one more around January 3. After that, George and I are hoping to get to Hawaii to visit the grandchildren later in the month. My husband can only stay two weeks because of work, but my intentions are to stay for several more weeks before I have to return home in March for a follow-up scan.

These dates are fluid, however, due to my son’s schedule. In the Army, they often have field maneuvers that keep them away from home for weeks; and as we’ve learned, the military can schedule these without warning.

Nevertheless, we will get there at some point. And while there, I refuse to look over my shoulder for another attack. (When I completed my first round of twelve infusions, the cancer began to multiply again and returned in less than sixty days.)

That was then; this is now. God says my prayers are effectual and fervent, and that I will have those things I declare…things not presumptuously claimed, but those precious things purchased for me by the Blood of Christ and approved by God for me to call forth at this time.

How do I know this to be true?

1 John 5:14,15:

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

God’s Will is very clear regarding healing for His children. Even our bodies were created with a built-in healing mechanism—the immune system. Nonetheless, living under the effects of the Fall has weakened and compromised its ability to function optimally. But we are not left without help!

God heals our bodies in three ways:

spontaneously (through a working immune system)

by stimulation (diet and lifestyle changes, along with natural supplements or medicines that repair and recharge the immune system, restoring the body to working order)

supernaturally (usually when the disease, infirmity, or injury is beyond the healing ability of the immune system and the gift of science); often coming in the form of a spoken word, laying on of hands, intercession, a prayer cloth, a prophetic word, etc.—all mentioned and demonstrated in the Bible.

So, it was settled from the beginning of this journey: God wanted me well. He made a blood covenant to secure Salvation for the whole of me—body, spirit, and soul. What I needed was to understand the WAY of God for my situation-- how to walk through to my healing.

I sought him for answers to such practical questions as; do I take chemotherapy or go an alternative route? Which oncology clinic is the best for me and where? Which surgery team should I choose?

The answers came through my patient submission for guidance. He has not failed me in this pursuit. I could tell you many stories that confirmed my steps are divinely ordered.

Go back to the passages in James. When I asked for wisdom regarding my situation, God was not vague but very detailed. He gave me specific words (Rhemas—right now, God-breathed words) to stand on from His Word (All the Scriptures--the Logos).

He was not condescending or judging. He has generously given me everything I need to know for my situation, including the enemy’s intents and the faith of His Son to resist them.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, verses 12-14:

“Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:

“So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.”

This thing concerning me is also falling out for the furtherance of the Gospel. My story is being read around the world. Can you believe it? From my little laptop in Comanche, Texas, my website is getting visits from people in China, Malaysia, Russia, and all over the United States. Praise God!

And it is the prayer of my heart that those who read my posts, and those who pray with and for me, will grow more confident in Christ; seeking and speaking a “right now” Word of God that begins to dispel darkness and disease from their lives.

It is also my desire that they not stop with themselves; but dare to look—even before their personal prayers are answered—into the desperate eyes of a world famished for the Words of Life...then open their mouths.

“…open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)

Much Ado About Christmas: Inappropriate for Christians in a Greedy, Commercialized Culture?

Critics of the celebration of Christmas within the Church find the holiday offensively wrapped in earthy materialism.

They claim Resurrection Sunday should be the primary focus of Christians.

I say the birth of Christ—even amid the tinsel and excesses—deserves to be gloriously celebrated with His Resurrection. We cannot separate the Manger from the Cross.


What should Christians shout from their decorated housetops this season? The beloved Christmas carol says it best: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!"

To help us better appreciate what this phrase means, grab your favorite brew and sit down with me for a little informal, coffee shop theology.

During a probationary period between the fall of humanity’s representative on earth (Adam) and the arrival of humanity’s redeeming representative (Christ), innocent animals bore the penalty of humanity's sins. Their blood provided a temporary covering, but not a final remedy.

When God determined the time was right, His Son assumed human flesh and stepped into the limitations of our time and space. He was given the earthly name Jesus. He allowed His humanity to be tempted in every way so that He could identify with our needs and struggles. Yet, He remained sinless--qualifying Him as the final, innocent sacrifice to bear the sins of all people. The remedy had come!

The humanity that tragically broke fellowship with God was reconciled through the redeeming work of Christ. The estranged children were brought home through the perfect obedience of another. Salvation is a done deal for everyone. It is universally offered, but its benefits are limited to those who embrace Jesus and the work He accomplished at the Cross for them. No one is coerced. God created us with one of His greatest attributes--free will.

Once someone receives this gift, they are instantly regenerated and justified. Regeneration means that by grace—undeserved favor--a person becomes alive unto God for the first time by the power of the Holy Spirit. He or she is able to contain God’s indwelling presence for the first time.

Justification means that although clearly guilty, the person has been legally cleared of all charges before God in the highest of courts. The condemning record of wrongdoings is permanently wiped clean. (Jesus took the place of the guilty party and fully bore the consequences unto death as forensic evidence that justice had not been thwarted.)

Both the Father's holiness that could not wink at wrongdoing and His extravagant love met at the two beams of the Cross. Justice AND mercy were satisfied as the Son willingly stood in humanity's stead.

Therefore, I fully understand why the Church was compelled to set a date to call Christians throughout history --in one voice and mind--to honor a yearly, renewed proclamation of the Good News that the all-powerful, transcendent God of the cosmos is also intimately available to human hearts.

There's been a great deal of controversy surrounding the December 25 observance of the birth of Christ because it coincides with a pagan feast. Truth is, early church documents reveal that the birth of Christ was already being observed on various dates by Christians as early as 200 A.D.

I'd like to quote from "Christmas Is NOT Pagan"--a very thorough and scholarly work from Dr. Richard P. Bucher, former pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lexington, KY:

"The Romans, like many other cultures at the time of the winter solstice, had various festivals. Saturnalia, was a festival that honored Saturn, the god of agriculture, from Dec. 17-24. It was the most popular festival of the year and did involve merrymaking, gift-giving, relaxed morality, and temporary freedom for slaves, who were allowed to do and speak whatever they wanted.

"But not unlike many of our Christmas feasts today, by the early Fourth Century, the religious aspect of Saturnalia had faded, and the secular merrymaking had come to the fore. It is not likely, however, that Christians chose Dec. 25 to celebrate Christ's birth on the basis of Saturnalia.

"By the time that Chrysostom was Bishop of Constantinople (398-404), Christ's birth was being observed on Dec. 25 throughout Christendom, though the Church in Armenia observed it on January 6.

"But how did it happen that the early Christians began observing Christmas on December 25? Why this date? There are two theories about why December 25 was chosen:

" (1) The first theory holds that after careful research, Julius (337-352), Bishop of Rome, determined that Christ had been born on December 25; or at least he determined that December 25 was the best authenticated date in the Tradition. John Chrystostom states this in one of his writings (John Chrysostom, Homil. Diem Natal., 2; PL, 49, 552ff.).

"Chrysostom claims that Julius, after he had been requested by Cyril of Jerusalem, had the official records of the Roman census examined and determined that December 25 was the correct date. As Weiser points out, however, there is no evidence to back this up; in fact, "it was expressly stated in Rome that the actual date of the Saviour's birth was unknown and that different traditions prevailed in different parts of the world" (F. Weiser, Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs - New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company, 1958, 61.).

"The second theory states that the Church of Rome deliberately chose December 25 as the date of Christ's birth to turn people away from a pagan feast that was observed at the same time. Since the time of the Roman emperor Elagabulus (218-222), the god Sol Invictus (he Unconquered Sun god), had been one of the chief deities worshiped by the Romans.

"When emperor Aurelian (270-275) came to power, he sought to restore the worship of the Sun god to prominence and make him the chief deity. In the last years of his reign, Sol was hailed as "The Lord of the Roman Empire." Sol, along, with Jupiter, appeared on the coins Aurelian had minted. In 274, the emperor built a magnificent temple to Sun god, and established a new college of senators which he named "the priests of the Sun god." Finally, December 25 was observed as "the birthday of the Sun god" (natalis solis invicti).

"Because the Sun god was identified with Mithra, a popular Persian god that also was viewed as the Sun god, pagan celebrations occurred throughout the empire on Dec. 25 (see Clement A. Miles, Christmas, New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912, 23).

"The Church at Rome seems to have chosen this date to counteract this pagan feast of the sun god and turn people instead to the "Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78). Or put another way, Julius chose December 25 so that the Son of God rather than the Sun god would be worshiped.

"Though there no direct evidence that proves that the Church of Rome deliberately chose December 25 so that Christ's birth would replace "the birthday of the sun," we do have sermons from fathers of the church who soon after this used this line of reasoning. For example, Augustine (354-430) in his sermon 202 and Leo the Great (440-461 -- PL 54 Sources chrtiennes 22) gives this line of reasoning."

A pagan-inspired conspiracy to corrupt the faithful? Hardly! Many churches in America offer alternatives to Halloween, such as Harvest or Hallelujah events on October 31. Will Christians years from now seek to ban these church celebrations are being rooted in evil paganism, using the same points as their unskilled predecessors?

In my opinion, getting the EXACT date right is not as important as choosing to set aside a time to ponder the wonders of the birth of Christ. In America, we've moved observances of several historical dates to coincide with weekends, making participation easier for working families. The meanings of these events have not diminished. Why the fuss about the accuracy of the Nativity?

Our calendars are full of activities, but I don't mind a symbolic reminder on March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) to halt my busy schedule and examine my heart for a suppleness like that of a young teen named Mary. She dared to trust God at the risk of being ostracized and even stoned.

Nine months later, on December 25, I love the idea of ending my year by celebrating what gives me hope for the new one--"Christ in me the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27)
 

The word "Christmas" is really two words put together: Cristes Maesse--the "Mass of Christ". It was not a day, but something you attended on the 25th. That day was known as The Feast of the Nativity.

On this holy day, Christians would traditionally attend one of three masses, attesting in a very tangible way to the truth of the Incarnation: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us..." (John 1:14)

Mensa is the Latin word for 'table', and the word Mass denotes a 'sending forth" from the Lord's table to serve the world as the visible Body of Christ. Another closely related word is the Spanish MESA, also meaning "table".

The first Mass was observed at midnight on Christmas Eve. Called "The Angels' Mass", it focused on divinity taking the initiative to reach down to redeem man in an extraordinary act of love. (Other religions focus on man striving to reach God.)

"The Shepherds' Mass" was celebrated at dawn. Its purpose was to honor Christ's willingness to be exposed to human needs and suffering from the womb to the grave in order to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan. His arrival was announced to ordinary men at work whose names we do not know--men of no import to the wealthy or noble. It pleased God to invite them first to see the Christ Child!

The final service on the Feast of The Nativity was usually held during the day and was known as "The Mass of the Divine Word". Christians worshiped the eternal God/Man Jesus Christ--fully God and fully man--a faithful, compassionate High Priest who is acquainted with our infirmities AND the King of Kings who reigns forevermore.

Many churches do not schedule Christmas Eve or Day services, preferring to let their congregants celebrate with family and friends. Although historic churches may have multiple masses on the 25th, they are often scheduled to accommodate larger crowds rather than designed to present the three-fold revelation of the Incarnation.

Does this mean that Christians who go to church on Christmas are holier than those who don't? No, far from it! Saints and sinners gather alike in a building and go through the motions, but only God knows who is really His. Again, it's not about how many times you go to church, what church you attend at Christmas or that you even go to church on December 25! It's about the receptivity of your heart toward the Incarnate Christ and how that affects you the other 364 days of the year.

If, after immersing yourself in holiday shopping, decorations, presents, and all that delightful food, you still find yourself secretly asking at the end of another Christmas Day, "Is this it?"

And...if you have an unexplainable emptiness in spite of the family and material blessings of the season, then I encourage you to explore beyond just knowing it's Jesus' birthday.

Delve deeper to understand what it cost God to come to earth to be sacrificed for people who did not know, much less love Him. Yet, rejoice in a Love so strong that it would spill its blood for the redemption of the whole world--past, present and future.

As we approach The Feast of the Nativity, I plan to re-post a series of articles on The Incarnation of Christ. These insights began as teaching notes for folks at my church who missed crucial foundation blocks in their faith. However, you must know that these truths have changed MY life as well!

In these articles, I try to explain, in easy language, concepts that puzzle many people—even Christians—when they hear the phrase “God with Us”:

How can Jesus be God when the Bible calls Him God’s Son?

How can Jesus be both God AND human at the same time?

If Jesus is God, then who was in Heaven while He was on earth?

We’ll start with a basic apprehension of the Trinity. One doesn't have to have full comprehension of God in order to apprehend Him. Whew! Aren't we thankful?

In another informal, coffeeshop-like setting, we'll take a closer look at God who wholly and simultaneously presents Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet meets us in human history as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. (As Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit makes hearts ready for God through revelation and conviction, equips and matures Christians for better service in the world, and prepares them to meet Christ.)

Serving Our Generation with Purpose: David's Legacy

Episode 2 of Healing for Everyday is ready--Serving Our Generation with Purpose: David's Legacy.

Everybody wants to leave some mark in the earth that says, “I was here; and in some small way, I made a difference."

Despite that desire, many people wander aimlessly through life without a sense of purpose—a hit and miss kind of life. They’ve never asked, “Why am I here?” They develop and use their strengths and talents mostly for personal gain.

Christians also can miss the mark in life if we don’t ask the same question: “Why am I here”?