Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Rex had a strange week last week. He is currently taking about 20 different supplements to try to detoxify his body and build his immune system so that it can kick this cancer out of his body. With that, he has had some days where he hasn't felt up to par. He has had some times when his abdomen has had tingling sensations and numbness in the areas of the esophagus, spleen, and kidneys. Sometimes, we think that these are feelings of healing and detoxification taking place; then, part of us feels that maybe we are in denial and things are getting worse instead. I have no doubt that nutritional therapy has its merit; however, it doesn't necessarily mean that Rex is reaping its benefits. Statistically, he has very little chance of becoming cancer free and going into remission. Yet, at the same time, someone has to make up the the winning percentage however small that number is. Plus, I know that there are many people that have consistently prayed for us since the beginning. Rex' body has already shown evidence of that with the amount of healing that he has already experienced.


I am amazed to look at Rex and see how healthy he looks and then process that he has Stage IV cancer living in his body. I am amazed that he has the strength to put in the hours (almost full time level) that he has been able to put in at work these last four weeks knowing that his body is in a battle for its life. I think that's the power of prayer. Again, I thank you for your prayers.

Update on Erin: Erin's CT scan and EEG did not reveal any kind of abnormality or seizure disorder. It's not completely conclusive, but right now we have decided to treat this as a one time incident. If it happens again, then, we will take the next step of meeting with a neurosurgeon and further tests. We are going to just keep an eye on her and make sure that she stays hydrated and nourished as that was the likely trigger of her collapse.

Many of us have heard about the fruits of the spirit for many years. We've been taught what they were; we've memorized the Scripture detailing the fruits of the spirit. Yet, many times we have taken them lightly just like the ten commandments. We don't argue with them, yet we really don't ponder and seriously realize their importance. Have you ever thought about how you develop these fruits in your life? When I look at them, I feel so small because I don't think that I exhibit these fruits much at all. I can remember many times when I was not kind or gentle or patient or loving or self-controlled. Then, I wonder if I will ever be remembered or thought of in light of these traits. Will anyone ever say or think that I walked in the Spirit? How do you attain these character traits in your life? Do you exhibit these qualities in your home? in your extended family? in your neighborhood? in your friendships? in your sporting events that you participate in? in your church family?

When I think about this, I know that in my life it is hardest to show these within my family and extended family. When I am tired or overwhelmed, it is easy for me to illustrate the exact opposite: impatience, harshness, unkindness, turmoil, and irritability. So, how do you get patience? By enduring moments that test your patience.

I believe most of our opportunities to learn this come from within our own families. Everytime that you are exposed to another's inadequacies or sins, you have the potential to develop some love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentless, and self-control. When you are around that annoying in-law or that annoying co-worker or that annoying teammate or even that annoying circumstance, you have the opportunity to take that annoyance and turn it into a fruit for God with your response. What do the fruits of the Spirit do? They show the world that He is different. It shows the world that we are only different because we have His Spirit living in us. It shows our families that He is real. We get the added benefit of being more relaxed and less stressed. Many of us have people in our very own families that don't have Jesus in their lives. Are we showing them love? joy? peace? longsuffering? kindness? goodness? faithfulness? gentleness? self-control? Do we have fruit in our lives that point to the hope that is only found in Jesus Christ?

As a believer, I think that most every circumstance or encounter we have has the potential to develop maturity in us, yet many times, we are too lackadaisical to clench the moment for what it is -- a chance to develop fruit for God. I believe that God allows us to be surrounded with adversity so that we can take that adversity and develop fruit. It can be through circumstances or people.

I have mentioned before that Erin and Amber are participating in softball this spring, and we have definitely encountered such an opportunity. There is one particular girl on the team that is very difficult to deal with; she is bossy, taunting, and downright mean to others. She has pretty much alienated everyone on the team as a friend. She has exasperated and totally frustrated my girls to no end. My flesh hopes that she doesn't show up to practice or the games. But, I know that this is an opportunity for my girls to learn what it means to have the fruits of the Spirit, and therefore, I try to teach them how to respond to her taunts and encourage them to pray for her.

I think its fair to say that most everyone has someone in their family, extended or in-laws, that annoys and frustrates them endlessly. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is to avoid them and sometimes, it is the best thing. But, I believe that God in His Sovreignty has put that person in your life to give you an opportunity to grow and mature. Do you embrace it as an opportunity or do you shun it as a nuisance?

Read Galatians and really meditate on the words of this powerful Scripture. It's easy for us to point the finger at the unrighteousness in others; it's hard to take that unrighteousness and demonstrate love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:13-26
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


Ask God to help you walk in the Spirit today.

He is Worthy,

Donna Meadows

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hello again - I look forward to reading all your updates - I think the "tingling" is a good sign. I pray for you each day and so do all our church family and friends. We would love for you to visit if you can. Let us know what we can do to help. Tony has my email address if you need me for anything. I love all dearly. Your cousin, Wanda