"Why" and "What"

Hi folks. The day after the first treatment has been okay. Thanks again for all the notes and prayers. One response that came today is this, and it sums up thoughts I have been working on in my head. I'll have more to say about this, but I know that the questions alluded to are questions many of you are already asking. It is okay to ask questions, though. God can handle them. He may not reveal all the answers, but the key is to remember who is in charge, and it isn't me. :-)

Here is what my friend sent me...

My Friend,

As we read through the Word, we often find people asking “Why,” yet we don’t necessarily like the answer God gives. “Why:” because God is sovereign and this event meets His plan. I believe God does not provide much detail for the “Why” question because it focuses on us. The full question we are asking is, “Why is this happening to me?” And the answer we often provide (like Job and like a teenager) is, “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Once we come to grips with the answer to the “Why” question - because we are clay in God’s hands, then we can ask the “What” question.

Ah, the “What” question. Now, here is a question our heavenly Father seems to answer readily and fully. The “What” question removes the focus from us and puts it on Him. “What do You want me to learn from this;” “What do You want me to say to that individual;” “What is Your purpose in this?” He will gently, lovingly, and kindly answer the “What” question.

The “Why” question kicks off a pity party. The “What” question focuses us on our Father. The “Why” question is easier to ask. The “What” question gives us a more rewarding answer.


Thanks Art. You have said it well.

For His glory,
Tom

Real Deal

Well, the test results showed what the doctor expected. Wish the news was better, but that wasn't today's report. So, in a few minutes, I was connected up tp get my first treatment.

God and his miraculous hand is not out of the picture. It never is. So keep praying. God can do whatever he wants to do, whenever he wants to do it.

Reading scripture, I find that there are many times where divine deliverance occurs, but I also find times it does not. One of the first scriptures that came to mind, though, when this began to come into focus in recent weeks was the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - or Hannaniah, Mishael and Azariah. (See July post on Thick-headed Neb.) The part I remembered was the line from the three Hebrew children who told Nebuchadnezzar that they had no intention of bowing down to his idol, and that God could deliver them from his fiery furnace. But (and here is the kicker) "even if He does not we will not bow down." Now that is boldness and faith. Not easy, but strong.

I like to have that kind of faith. I want to have it. I hope to model it. But the truth is, I vacillate between confident faith and being scared to death. God can handle that honesty.

My treatment schedule is to be, if no problems or adjustments, are to be each Monday and Thursday for two weeks, then a week off. So pray on those days, and pray the side effects, if treatment must continue, will be mild. And, most of all pray that God will be glorified in it all.

Thanks for all the notes, emails, posts, etc. Some of you who have been through this deal have sent good advice. I appreciate that.

Covered

Hi,

Have received so many notes, postings, assurances or prayer. That means SO much. Keep them coming. That is the main coverage we need.

Just got word from the doctors office that everything is covered now by insurance, so, whatever the case, that is a praise. Of course, if God chooses to answer with complete, miraculous healing and that "tiny chance" I mentioned in the video turns out to be the reality, no one will complain.

Thanks again for your prayers, offers of help and help, and more.

In Jesus,
Tom

When Life Slams on the Brakes

When you feel like you have it all together (or mostly anyway, and you are in the routine of life) a panic stop is the last thing you expect. But, right now, we have encountered one. My life is now controlled by many more circumstances and physicians.

We have told close family already, but there are many other friends and family we want to include.. Tonight we made the announcement to our church family and showed the video attached. (Provided I can get it to attach.) If not, the URL for the YouTube site is
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TomandMM#p/u/0/BUwaqbHCpI8

This was a hard but very encouraging night. Tomorrow afternoon, if all the insurance stuff is coordinated and in place, then we will start the chemotherapy.

Thick-headed Neb

Thick-headed Neb

Not long ago I had a few moments to relax, and, for whatever reason, I grabbed my iPod and pulled up one of my favorite pieces of Classical music, “Belshazzar’s Feast.” (“What’s on my iPod” —subject for another post). Anyway — and I am going somewhere with this — I was listening to “Belshazzar’s Feast” (Walton) and was prompted to head back to the book of Daniel to read the Biblical account of a very unwise move on Belshazzar’s part. For proper background, I started reading from Daniel 1:1. There reside the accounts of Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah’s (Abed-nego) healthy eating, Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s epic dream, and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah’s experience in the furnace. Then there was the first person account of Nebuchadnezzar’s self-glorification in spite of God’s warning, and his subsequent year-long period of grazing for grass and sleeping under the stars. (Daniel 1-5).

One thing that impressed this time through was Nebuchadnezzar’s spiritual thick- headedness. While I was considering how thick headed he seemed to be, there was a sound in my head (not audible) like God looking at me and then clearing His throat, “Ahem.” I can be just as thick. Even though I have seen incredible things that can only be explained by God’s activity, I still act wrong, think wrong, trust in myself, etc.

The good news is there is hope. Nebuchadnezzar spent a year living like a wild donkey. He finally figured out the problem, and recognized that God was the one worthy of praise, honor and allegiance. So may we come to the same realization, hang on to it, and live it!