God Understands Our Prayers Even When We Can't Find the Words to Say Them . . .

~ ~ ~ BLESSED ASSURANCE ~ ~ ~

Have you ever been to that point in your life where you realized that . . . God understands your prayers . . . even when you can't find the words to say them.

I have literally "been" there - right at that very point in my life.  In my own feeble and frail circumstances, I was there.  My simple prayers and utterings were not only heard by my God but God understood every one of my prayers - even when I could not find the words to say them!! Yes, I believe He heard them and understood every one of them knowing far more than I myself knew. I didn't realize that I had two brain tumors each one the size of a tangerine! I had know idea that they were pressing on my brain gradually limiting my speech, communication, and even my thought processes.  It was so gradual, that I didn't realize until I went to the doctor and was told to check into the hospital by 7:00 pm that very same evening.  But I believe my God knew ALL about me and my circumstances that very day.  I had NO WORDS to say or to pray at that particular day - I couldn't find any words to say.  But God knew the "prayer of my heart" even when I could not express it.  He knows and He truly does understand. I thank God for that "Blessed Assurance" we can have in Christ.  

Pearl Harbor Day

PEARL HARBOR DAY

December 7th was Pearl Harbor Day. I could not help but remember 6 years ago when I had my own personal "pearl harbor" day. There were no sounds of airplanes in the sky bombarding our ships or brave men serving our country. No fire arms or bombs or sinking ships. No screams or blood shed as was on that dreadful Dec. 7, 1941. My pearl harbor day - Dec. 7, 2012, was not at all like that. My daughters took me in for an MRI, which confirmed that I had 2 tumors the size of two tangerines and  would have to go to the hospital that same evening to prepare for brain surgery. (I guess you could say it was a "no-brainer"... they had to be removed and soon!) That year, there was no Christmas shopping for me - I was busy recovering. But I received the best Christmas gift that year - my very own Christmas Miracle!  God's healing touch is such a blessing - I give God all the praise! I went through 6 months of speech therapy and  the only real side affect is a little "aphasia" in my speech especially when I get nervous!!  Now 6 years out and  my recent MRI was great. God is so good!  But … I will forever remember my own "pearl harbor" day each year when I stop and reflect on our country and the many, many sacrifices made on Pearl Harbor Day.

My Faith Journey (Dec. 7, 2012-Dec. 7, 2014)

https://myspace.com/themoweryfour/music/song/we-ve-come-this-far-by-faith-11048507-10849691?play=1

Little did I know some 39 years ago that the title song to our record album - (I've Come This Far By Faith) would become my "theme song" for these past two years!!  2013/14 has truly been a "faith-journey" for me. I am a little slow in getting all of my thoughts, feelings, and actions together for this little December 2014 blog - it is really hard to put "everything" I have experienced and felt over the last two years into words!! But I will try . . .
A MRI on December 7, 2012, revealed a "large, fast-growing, malignant tumor embedding in my brain" resulting in immediate admittance into the hospital and surgery scheduled.  Looking back, it kind of remindes me of the phrase in Monopoly   . . . "go directly to hospital from the doctor's office - do not pass go - do not collect $200"!!   I need not say that my whole world changed! My whole "outlook" on life, laughter, love, and legacy took on a different point of view! Things that were so important to me before discovering I had the brain tumors seemed somewhat insignificant since then and other things gained much more attention and significance!!  Isn't it strange how we get so wrapped up in "living" until we face something like this and have to turn "everything" . . . life, living, hopes, plans, dreams, yes EVERYTHING over to God and place our total being by faith in HIS HANDS and trust that He knows our future and what is ahead?!
For me, it was surgery on December 12, 2012 (12-12-12 - easy to remember, huh?), surgery, recovery, recuperation, and 5 1/2 months of intense speech therapy, new beginnings, first times once again - tackling things I had done before, without a thought, but now had to overcome those 1st's times. Every day, week, month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and finally each year - were stepping stones in my recovery! Yes, there were times I had my set-backs but my "forward steps" led me down "new paths" nearly "daily".  When I think back two years ago - I was recuperating at my parents house - I went there when released from the hospital just in time for Christmas.  I was not working during my recover time but was going to speech therapy 3 times a week, learning 1,000's upon 1,000's of words, synonyms, antonyms, opposites, etc. I felt like I was back in school. All of that seems almost like yesterday!

I came out of surgery with some "communicative aphasia" because the tumors affected the communicative part of my brain.  I knew what I was trying to say and many times the "word" was right on the tip of my tongue but I just could not express the word.  Thus, the reason for my re-learning synonyms, antonyms, opposites, etc.  When I would not be able to speak and get the word I wanted out, I would have to train myself to quickly think of another word that had the same meaning that I was trying to express to take the place of the "blocked word".  It was a very interesting time and a time of renewal for me. I am now somewhat intrigued with "words", meanings, etc.  It took me a while before I felt capable to communicate with people. In the beginning I said things that really were not exactly what I meant.  A good example was when my cousin came to see me and he was saying "good-bye" - I knew I needed to acknowledge his "good-bye" and I knew there was an appropriate phrase for me to respond with - so I said . . . "congratulations"!!  My speech therapist was so good about explaining how intricate God made our brains, how they work and shared that my brain was searching for greeting/good-bye type phrases to use. And congratulations fits in that greeting/good-bye category!  That made me feel better as to why I responded with that particular word - but I know my cousin probably thought it a little strange!!!  LOL!!  It seemed that the minute I would say a strange word or phase like that, I would realize . . . NOT the right word!!   Actually, many times it was quite funny and we all had a good laugh over some of my speech ventures. But it seemed to get better every week!  Of which I am so thankful for. I now only experience a little of the the aphasia - especially when I am tired!!  God was with me every step of the way - miracle after miracle!!  I came home from the hospital right before Christmas so I call this "My Christmas Miracle" and the journey that has followed these past two years has been a journey filled with many, many miracles, blessings, much thankfulness and many thoughts and feelings that I cannot begin to express in just a few word.  My "faith" was stretched beyond what I thought it could be stretched and I can once again sing our theme song "I've Come This Far By Faith" leaning on the Lord!!  And I'm guessing today I sing that song with much more understanding and a whole lot more meaning than what I sang it 39 years ago!!  

(The days following my surgery were long days for my family and myself, as you can see from this little video, as I tried to communicate my thoughts and my family tried to decipher what I was trying to tell them!  It is a reminder of where I have been and how far I have come with the help of God!)  A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!
As I look back to where I started since the removal of the tumors I am amazed. And I can honestly say I have only minimal recollection of the months leading up to the first MRI and the discovery of the tumors.  I was in "survivor mode" only remembering what was absolutely necessary to get me by, from day to day. Everything "non-essential" is a blur or I can hardly recollect it. The doctor later explained how totally unique the brain is. It knows just what we need to survive. Because of the size the two tumors (each one the size of a tangerine), they were pressing against my brain squeezing and putting pressure on it as they grew, causing me to only remember the important things I needed to remember to survive each day.  The rest, I either did not remember at all or remember only faintly and many things are very vague. In other words, my brain was operating in "survival mode".

My last week to work before the surgery I only remember calling in sick to work on Wednesday. I didn't feel good. I couldn't tell you what was wrong - just did not feel right - not myself!  I had left a message on the answering machine but the pastor had trouble making it out. What I thought I said was, "Pastor, I am not feeling well.  I won't be coming in to work today. I will see you tomorrow!" What he heard was something slurred like . . . "IIIII  waaanntt toooo leaaave aaa messssssaaageeee"!!!!  A little alarmed, he came to my house to check on me. He immediately talked to one of my daughters who then stopped by on her lunch hour for a while and then both daughters stopped by the house as soon as they got off work. They set a doctors appointment for me the next morning, Thursday. My younger daughter took me to work and she later told me she was afraid to leave me alone but I insisted on going to work before the doctor's appointment.  She left and decided to stop and get us both  cappuccino, brought it back, and sat in the office with me until it was time for the appointment. 

It is totally "mind-boggling" to hear them share now, what they saw in me during those days - those weeks and months - preceding the surgery.  We went to the doctor that afternoon and he scheduled a MRI for the next day, Friday at 1:00 pm.  We all went to work and then the girls picked me up and we went to get the MRI and then we were all going to go back work.  But they sent us back to my regular doctor following the MRI and we waited in his office until he had no more patients.  He then came in and began to explain the MRI.  My girls started crying. They told me I just sat emotionless and very calmly asked, "how long do I have?" I was to go to the hospital and be admitted by 7:00 pm that same evening after the doctor's appointment.  

None of us had eaten lunch so Liz and I were going to make the necessary phone calls to break the news to family and Hannah was going home to get Noah and we were going to meet at Burger King and get a bite to eat and discuss the situation between the four of us.  I told Liz I should call mom so she dialed and I told mom and I just remember handing the phone to Liz after I told mom and she talked to mom for a little bit.  Liz tells me that I then called my brothers, John and Dennis - but I do not remember talking to either of them at all.  I do remember telling Liz as we headed for Burger King (5:30 pm) that I had to go back to work.  I had to finish the bulletin for Sunday. She got upset with me and told me in a FIRM voice that, "I wasn't going back to work I was going to the hospital and that was it"!!!!!  What I must have put my three children, my family, and my friends through during these months, must have been unimaginable!!  (Maybe it is better that I don't remember!!)

These two years have been an "unforgettable journey" for me and my family. We have crossed many bridges I never thought possible.  But I am reminded of Moses leading the Israelites . . . not "across" the Red Sea . . . but "thru" the Red Sea! I imagine they thought THAT was impossible also. But I have learned that with God, nothing is really impossible!  My hope, trust, and faith have grown since the tumors were discovered. I have had to lean on those close to me for support and encouragement but I have learned "anew" to put my hand in the "Hand of God" and let "Him" support and hold me up even when I could not get up by myself!! Knowing, when I couldn't even pray for myself . . . He was interceding on my behalf!  What an awesome experience that is! What an "awesome God" we serve!

I look back at the obstacles I have crossed these past couple of years in so many different areas of my life and I can truly say, "I've Come This Far By Faith". I am NOT the same person I was before. I have a new "lease on life!" I have a heart overflowing with a "new" sense of peace, love, and joy unspeakable!  Life is so very, very good!

(My faith-journey song) . . .

I've come this far by faith,
leaning on the Lord;
trusting in his holy word.
He's never failed me yet.
Oh! I can't turn back,
I've come this far by faith.

1) Don't be discouraged 
with trouble in your life;
he'll bear your burdens 
and move all discord and strife. Oh!

2) Just remember the good things he has done;
things that seemed impossible,
oh, praise him for the vict'ries he has won. Oh!
So, like that second verse . . . "I'm remembering the good things He has done - things that seemed impossible and praising him for the victories won!" 

I recently went to a Jeff and Sheri Easter Concert and Sheri (a cancer survivor herself) wrote a song that spoke to my heart. It touched me and the title says it all . . . "I Know How it Feels to Survive".

I've been afraid / Been confused  /  Doubted everything I thought that I knew / But I've felt peace / And I've been loved / Got back on my feet, thanking God above.

CHORUS: And I know how it feels to walk out of a valley / And how it feels to breathe the air that gives me life / I know the silence that comes with trusting and believing / And the darkness when the shadows hide the light / Yeah, I know how it feels to survive.

I've been alone / Felt betrayed / Didn't know if I could stand another day / But I found joy / And I've had faith / I've known the strength that gets me through one more day.

Now I live with eyes wide open / And my heart is filled with gratitude / I know everything I have is only borrowed / And by the grace of God I know I'll make it through.
. . . I'd like to think that these past two years have taught me to live with "my eyes wide open", with a heart filled up and overflowing with faith,  gratitude, and love knowing that everyday is a borrowed blessing. And that, by the grace and mercy of my all-knowing,  all-faithful God . . . I will make it through - come what may!

Thank you, God, for this little "bump" in the road along my "faith-journey"!

In GOD we Trust . . .

Trust . . . mentioned 134 times in the King James Version of the Bible and 147 times in the Revised Standard Version Bible. 

It has been said that the Bible was not written "to" us . . . but "for" us. I believe that to be true.  There is a big difference in "to" and "for" us!!  

The definition of "to" is:
1.  expressing motion in the direction of (a particular       location). "walking  down to the mall"
2.  identifying the person or thing affected.  "you were terribly unkind to her"

The definition of "for" is:

1.  with the object or purpose of: to run for exercise.
2.  intended to belong to,or be used in connection with:
  equipment for the army; a closet for dishes.
3.  suiting the purposes or needs of: medicine for the aged.
4. in order to obtain, gain, or acquire: a suit for alimony; to work for wages.
5. (used to express a wish, as of something to be 
experienced or obtained)

Here are just a few of the verses from the Bible on "Trust" and "Trusting." As you can see trust, trusting, and trustworthy all go hand in hand and make for a much more secure life to live.  We CAN put all of our trust in the One who knows everything about us and the One that cares all about us!  

Enjoy and find strength and courage in these "trustworthy" verses . . .
"For where your treasure is there is your heart. Trust in the lord with all your heart . . . lean not to your own understanding."   - Deuteronomy 1:30-33
The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

2 Samuel 7:28-33

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 13:5

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 25:1-3

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 31:14

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

Psalm 37:3

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Psalm 52:8

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 56:3

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Psalm 56:4

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 84:12

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 86:2

Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

Psalm 91:2

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 111:7

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

Psalm 112:7 

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 11:13

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 11:28

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 28:25

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Isaiah 2:22

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

Isaiah 12:2

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

Isaiah 26:4 

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 50:10

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Jeremiah 7:8

But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.

Ezekiel 33:13

If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done.

Daniel 6:23

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Luke 16:10-12

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

John 14:1

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Romans 9:33

As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Revelation 21:5

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Truly these words WERE written "FOR" us and not merely "TO" us. . .

           . . . IN GOD WE TRUST

Things to do Every Day of the Year - not just Christmas!

These are some special things we should do not just on Christmas but every single day of the year.  Life would be a much better place if everyone would put forth this sort of effort to each other.  Let's all give it a try . . .

"Trust Me"

"Trust Me" - just two little words but I must say, two powerful little words! What does it mean to trust . . . to really trust in someone or something? In looking at the word "trust" I think it actually has multiple meanings.  A full definition would include some of the following: To believe someone or something is reliable, good, honest, truthful, effective. To have confidence or to have total dependence. To hope or expect something is true. It is said that our relationships are founded on mutual love and trust. Our confidence, credence and conviction, our faith and hope, our stock and surety, our acceptance and assurance, our dependence and our reliance on a certain place, person, or thing. These are the building blocks that "trust" is built upon!

"A hope is more than resolve, and it is based on trust in a divine faithfulness that operates not only within history, but also beyond history". -John Polkinghorne, Times Literary Supplement

Here are some "Power Verses" to help you:

Trust God; He is the Stronghold

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. ”

Trust God; He is the Protector

2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”

Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

Psalm 7:1 “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”

Psalm 25:1, 2 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Trust God; He will Deliver as Promised

Psalm 9:10 “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

Psalm 22:4 “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.”

Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Psalm 56:3 , 4 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

Psalm 71:5 “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.”

Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

Trust God; Nothing on Earth Can Compare

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 32:10 “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.”

Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Something to Consider: What are you trusting in? Where is your trust? 

Are you putting your faith and trust in the things of this world - in houses, land, possessions, people, places, money, governments? Or is your faith and trust in the Lord? 

Someone once said, "Some people seem to trust God with their eternal salvation, but they have trouble trusting Him for their every-day life". Every-day life, day in and day out,  can have a whole lot of "faith-builders" which will help to increase your trust in every area of your life whatever the situation may be.  Take each and every day as it comes, adjust your attitude, focus your faith, and put your trust to the ultimate test . . . TRUST GOD and GOD ALONE!

Take comfort from the above scripture words. You CAN trust God with whatever your needs may be TODAY.

10 Months and More . . . Alive and More

I had an interesting week... I went to Oklahoma for a couple of days. Never been there but enjoyed the shops, antiques, and fun!  Got back & went to work Wed. - Thurs. & Fri. my computer at work quit working so I couldn't work on the bulletin or newsletter so I only worked a while in the am doing other things I could do. So I went Christmas shopping in the afternoons - only about 50 days away!! I am so excited to go Christmas shopping!!  

Last year I was not able to do anything for Christmas or really even Thanksgiving!!  By this time last year my 2 brain tumors had enlarged (though I never knew I had them) & kept me from functioning-I was pretty much shutting down, hardly talking and not doing much of anything. It seems I was barely existing. I was there but not really there!  Doctors discovered the brain tumors December 7 - operated on December 12. I had about 6 months of recovery including 5.5 months of speech therapy. It took me about 6 months to really feel comfortable talking to people & actually conversing with them and about that long to get my energy level back and feel back to normal physically. So from "May 2013" to "this day", I have improved so much and feel totally back to the "Diana" I used to be!!  LOL!!  

So this November, I am really excessively, enthusiastic & exuberant and once again on top of the world!! And I  can't wait for the holidays . . .  to spend a much different holiday routine "this year" as compared to "last year"!!  The last 10 months have been a journey I and my family will "never" forget . . . the miracles of life, the miracles of recovery, the miracles of my doctor bills and finances, the miracles of prayer, the miracles of family & friends, & the many day to day awesome miracles of God alone who knows all and sees all and gives "abundant life".  Life is grand!  It's great to be "alive"!