Every year, I start a new photo album on my Shutterfly account and give it a name with the year in the title. Last year, just after New Years, I named the 2012 album "He Makes All Things New" which was from the bible verse:
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." - Revelation 21:5, NIV
At the time, I obviously had no idea what God had in store for 2012. While 2012 could easily be one of the most challenging years of my life, I can look back and see how just about every area of my life changed. My job changed, my church changed, where I live changed, I joined a different small group, I have a different roommate, and even the type of car I drive changed this year... my relationships changed, my health changed with a cancer diagnosis, and all of my belongings in storage finally moved up to Washington, DC from Houston, Texas so I could now sleep in a real bed after two years sleeping on an air mattress. (No complaint, after spending time on a mission field, your just happy to have a place to sleep, nothing fancy needed!) Needless to say, in 2012, my whole life changed. But one thing did not change: God.
I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. - Malachi 3:6, NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17, NIV
I had no idea that God would literally make everything new in my life with all the changes that took place in 2012. God even continuously renewed my heart to trust Him, follow Him, rest in Him, and to be content in Him. I look back and am thankful God has been my constant, my Rock, my Redeemer, my best friend, and the One who never disappoints. Even in the midst of the most painful changes and circumstances, and when I felt as though God was so distant at times, I truly see how He never ever left me for one second. What a year. What a year of growth and renewal, a year of sanctification and joy.
While I realize 2013 already comes with some serious challenges given I will be subject to intense treatments for cancer (especially in January with high dose Intron A), I choose to believe that the best is yet to come in 2013. I realize the temptation to believe my world is coming down around me will be great at times as I sit in a hospital bed with extremely low immunity, liver enzymes all out of whack, and sick from all the drugs - but my hope is not in things of this world (including my health), my hope is my God. I believe God can do things in my life that I never ever dreamed possible, He already has! More importantly, God loves me (and you!) more than we can ever fathom as He displayed His love through His only Son on the cross. I believe God when He says this:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV
I have no idea what God has in store for 2013, but I believe He makes EVERYTHING (He didn't say "just some things" but He said everything) beautiful in its time, in His time. I cannot fathom what He will do in my life, or yours, this coming year. But we can stand on the truth that He is faithful, and we can't be too quick to judge God before the story is over. As for myself, this week brings another round of appointments:
Monday - Oncological Surgery follow-up
Wednesday - Blood & Enzyme Testing
Friday - Neurology
TBA - Oncological Dermatology check-up
TBA - Oncological Dietary Consult
(I list them out in the event you would like to pray specifically) And some folks have been asking what I need as I enter treatment, and here is what I've been able to think of (in unranked order):
1) Spiritual Encouragement - a little goes a long way (bible verses, whatever God moves you to share)
2) Alleve - simple I know, haha, but the doctor said I will need this for aches/fever, etc at home
3) Fresh Fruit & Vegetables - I love fresh food (spinach, berries, apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, etc.)
4) Prayer - this is probably the biggest on the list, to know people are praying is a gift
I'm so grateful for your grace and compassion! I learned this year that the Greek word for compassion means "to suffer with" and I'm so thankful for the compassion of those who are willing to give it. Anyhow, I pray that God makes everything beautiful in its time for your 2013. He redeems every tear, every ounce of suffering, nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God. All joy is from Him, and I pray we all find ourselves resembling His character even more this time next year as we reflect before entering 2014. All for His glory, for sanctification, and for His love!
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." - Revelation 21:5, NIV
At the time, I obviously had no idea what God had in store for 2012. While 2012 could easily be one of the most challenging years of my life, I can look back and see how just about every area of my life changed. My job changed, my church changed, where I live changed, I joined a different small group, I have a different roommate, and even the type of car I drive changed this year... my relationships changed, my health changed with a cancer diagnosis, and all of my belongings in storage finally moved up to Washington, DC from Houston, Texas so I could now sleep in a real bed after two years sleeping on an air mattress. (No complaint, after spending time on a mission field, your just happy to have a place to sleep, nothing fancy needed!) Needless to say, in 2012, my whole life changed. But one thing did not change: God.
I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. - Malachi 3:6, NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17, NIV
I had no idea that God would literally make everything new in my life with all the changes that took place in 2012. God even continuously renewed my heart to trust Him, follow Him, rest in Him, and to be content in Him. I look back and am thankful God has been my constant, my Rock, my Redeemer, my best friend, and the One who never disappoints. Even in the midst of the most painful changes and circumstances, and when I felt as though God was so distant at times, I truly see how He never ever left me for one second. What a year. What a year of growth and renewal, a year of sanctification and joy.
While I realize 2013 already comes with some serious challenges given I will be subject to intense treatments for cancer (especially in January with high dose Intron A), I choose to believe that the best is yet to come in 2013. I realize the temptation to believe my world is coming down around me will be great at times as I sit in a hospital bed with extremely low immunity, liver enzymes all out of whack, and sick from all the drugs - but my hope is not in things of this world (including my health), my hope is my God. I believe God can do things in my life that I never ever dreamed possible, He already has! More importantly, God loves me (and you!) more than we can ever fathom as He displayed His love through His only Son on the cross. I believe God when He says this:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV
I have no idea what God has in store for 2013, but I believe He makes EVERYTHING (He didn't say "just some things" but He said everything) beautiful in its time, in His time. I cannot fathom what He will do in my life, or yours, this coming year. But we can stand on the truth that He is faithful, and we can't be too quick to judge God before the story is over. As for myself, this week brings another round of appointments:
Monday - Oncological Surgery follow-up
Wednesday - Blood & Enzyme Testing
Friday - Neurology
TBA - Oncological Dermatology check-up
TBA - Oncological Dietary Consult
(I list them out in the event you would like to pray specifically) And some folks have been asking what I need as I enter treatment, and here is what I've been able to think of (in unranked order):
1) Spiritual Encouragement - a little goes a long way (bible verses, whatever God moves you to share)
2) Alleve - simple I know, haha, but the doctor said I will need this for aches/fever, etc at home
3) Fresh Fruit & Vegetables - I love fresh food (spinach, berries, apples, pineapple, cantaloupe, etc.)
4) Prayer - this is probably the biggest on the list, to know people are praying is a gift
I'm so grateful for your grace and compassion! I learned this year that the Greek word for compassion means "to suffer with" and I'm so thankful for the compassion of those who are willing to give it. Anyhow, I pray that God makes everything beautiful in its time for your 2013. He redeems every tear, every ounce of suffering, nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God. All joy is from Him, and I pray we all find ourselves resembling His character even more this time next year as we reflect before entering 2014. All for His glory, for sanctification, and for His love!
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