It's Christmas Eve today and I read my last blog entry [about God being in control and us being here "for such a time as this"] and this morning I read my daily devotional [by Bonnie Chavda] and this is how it began, "Have you ever stopped to think about the scenes leading up to Jesus' birth in their very human terms? We often wrap the Christmas story in a halo-like glow of wonder and the comfort of knowing the end of the story! But in between the awe of angelic visitation, the shining star and the rich gifts from the Magi, there was an impossible promise, wagging tongues of a scandalized community, a confused fiance, heartbroken parents, a bony donkey's back and a very dirty stable. Mary's blessing came with a lot of contradictions! God's promises are often like that."
Some days it can be difficult for us to understand and wrap our head around the thought of, how even in the midst of difficult and trying situations, God has a plan...and in fact a PERFECT plan. I can't help but think, 'what if Mary hadn't accepted that she was having God's child?' and 'what would have happened if Joseph had dismissed the angel that came to him?' Well I praise God that those scenarios never came to pass for Mary and Joseph were placed "for such a time as this." God obviously perfectly planned who would be "the parents" of His son. Even though the scenario seemed imperfect in so many ways...God perfected it with the birth of His son. He perfectly chose those who would carry out His plan.
I love the fact that we can celebrate this Christmas season with such joy and peace because God's son was born! I pray that your focus this season is to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Enjoy tomorrow by celebrating the birth of Christ.I pray peace, joy, and love over you and yours!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
God is in Control...
yet we must act! It is difficult for us to understand sometimes how both can be true, yet they are. It is just like the story of Esther where God positions her in a place to be able to set her people (the Jews) free. At one point her uncle, Mordecai, comes to her and says, "14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die. (Esther 4: 14-16)”
Esther had to act in order to be obedient to what God wanted her to do. In those times, if you approached the King, without him calling upon you, you could be sentenced to death. Esther risked her life to save her people and because of her faith in God [her faith that he would save her], He honored her by not only saving her people, but also by crowning her queen.
I think there are times in all of our lives where we come into situations that we would rather avoid instead of confront. It is in those times that we need to ask ourselves, "has God put me in this place, for such a time as this?" It could be situations in which we must face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or even talk to family about changes that need to be made. It is in those moments, that you can choose to either obey God or run from Him. I have found in my life...that when God impressed upon me to do something and I haven't done it, He always finds a replacement to do what I never did. Those moments in your life, whether or not you know it at the time, can be the defining moments that God wants to use you to shine His light. It can be those moments in which could mean life or death to someone and you may not ever know it.
A friend of ours shared a story with us that really touched my heart. She spoke of her sister (lets call her Judy) who had passed away and how at her funeral a lady (lets call her Sue) told of how Judy had "saved" her life. Judy was part of a group that helped people with addictions. One night Judy stayed afterwards to welcome a newcomer (Sue) to the group. She spent time talking with her and asking about her situation, etc. Well Sue told how because Judy took time out to talk with her and get to know her...that she decided NOT to kill herself. It seems to me in those "defining" moments in life...we can be a light to those around us.
Remember today to take time to risk yourself, put yourself out there...especially in the difficult moments that you dread. Take action, step out in faith and be confident like Esther. Allow her inspiration to take you to a new level of obedience and faith! And always remember that God is in control and he may have place you where you are "for just such a time as this!"
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die. (Esther 4: 14-16)”
Esther had to act in order to be obedient to what God wanted her to do. In those times, if you approached the King, without him calling upon you, you could be sentenced to death. Esther risked her life to save her people and because of her faith in God [her faith that he would save her], He honored her by not only saving her people, but also by crowning her queen.
I think there are times in all of our lives where we come into situations that we would rather avoid instead of confront. It is in those times that we need to ask ourselves, "has God put me in this place, for such a time as this?" It could be situations in which we must face a hostile audience, confront a friend on a delicate subject, or even talk to family about changes that need to be made. It is in those moments, that you can choose to either obey God or run from Him. I have found in my life...that when God impressed upon me to do something and I haven't done it, He always finds a replacement to do what I never did. Those moments in your life, whether or not you know it at the time, can be the defining moments that God wants to use you to shine His light. It can be those moments in which could mean life or death to someone and you may not ever know it.
A friend of ours shared a story with us that really touched my heart. She spoke of her sister (lets call her Judy) who had passed away and how at her funeral a lady (lets call her Sue) told of how Judy had "saved" her life. Judy was part of a group that helped people with addictions. One night Judy stayed afterwards to welcome a newcomer (Sue) to the group. She spent time talking with her and asking about her situation, etc. Well Sue told how because Judy took time out to talk with her and get to know her...that she decided NOT to kill herself. It seems to me in those "defining" moments in life...we can be a light to those around us.
Remember today to take time to risk yourself, put yourself out there...especially in the difficult moments that you dread. Take action, step out in faith and be confident like Esther. Allow her inspiration to take you to a new level of obedience and faith! And always remember that God is in control and he may have place you where you are "for just such a time as this!"
Monday, November 29, 2010
Love Without Boundaries
I have found that in this world "love without boundaries" is such a difficult task for us. Because we have gotten hurt by others;therefore, bitterness and unforgiveness lies deep within our hearts. Many of us have become what Matthew 24:12 speaks of, "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold." Sin can look like many things...others hurting [physically, mentally, emotionally] you, turning their loyalty away from you, breaking of trust, lies, and even, just plain silence toward you. Unfortunately, we do live in a broken world, where there are many broken people and because of this our love does become cold.
But God...because God has forgiven our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Unforgiveness and bitterness if left untouched and is dwelled upon, becomes a deep stronghold within ourselves and it comes to affect not only ourselves, but those around us. In fact, this stronghold shuts down the power of prayer and disables the flow of healing and outreach to those around us.
I am not saying that it is easy to forgive others for their wrongs and weaknesses, but we what I am expressing is that we must remember and realize that because Christ has forgiven us, it should help us produce an attitude of forgiveness toward others.
I remember reading a book several years ago by Stormie Omartian, and one tiny sentence at the beginning of the book, captured my attention and it has stuck with me ever since...I don't remember the exact words that it used, but the gist of it was something like this...when you don't forgive, you are basically setting yourself above Christ's law of love and saying, in not so many words that Christ's death on the cross wasn't good enough! That really pulled at my heart strings because at the time, I had so much bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart. It made me realize that I was telling God, that His son's death, just wasn't good enough. I couldn't believe that my actions were showing Him that what His son did for me just wasn't enough to cover the sins and weaknesses of others.
I have to say that the forgiveness wasn't an overnight process, but as I gave my bitterness and unforgivessness to God and allowed Him to work in my life and heal my heart. I began to see my "cold heart" turn into gentleness, affection, and compassion for others. Allowing God to work in my life and in my heart, gave me the opportunity to show others Christ's love and live a life of "love without boundaries."
I ask you today, if you are harboring any unforgiveness or bitterness, give it to God and ask Him to begin to work in your life and in your heart. Don't allow bitterness to become a disease in your heart and soul for this will only allow the enemy to have a stronghold in your life and it will begin to turn your heart cold toward God and others.
But God...because God has forgiven our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Unforgiveness and bitterness if left untouched and is dwelled upon, becomes a deep stronghold within ourselves and it comes to affect not only ourselves, but those around us. In fact, this stronghold shuts down the power of prayer and disables the flow of healing and outreach to those around us.
I am not saying that it is easy to forgive others for their wrongs and weaknesses, but we what I am expressing is that we must remember and realize that because Christ has forgiven us, it should help us produce an attitude of forgiveness toward others.
I remember reading a book several years ago by Stormie Omartian, and one tiny sentence at the beginning of the book, captured my attention and it has stuck with me ever since...I don't remember the exact words that it used, but the gist of it was something like this...when you don't forgive, you are basically setting yourself above Christ's law of love and saying, in not so many words that Christ's death on the cross wasn't good enough! That really pulled at my heart strings because at the time, I had so much bitterness and unforgiveness in my heart. It made me realize that I was telling God, that His son's death, just wasn't good enough. I couldn't believe that my actions were showing Him that what His son did for me just wasn't enough to cover the sins and weaknesses of others.
I have to say that the forgiveness wasn't an overnight process, but as I gave my bitterness and unforgivessness to God and allowed Him to work in my life and heal my heart. I began to see my "cold heart" turn into gentleness, affection, and compassion for others. Allowing God to work in my life and in my heart, gave me the opportunity to show others Christ's love and live a life of "love without boundaries."
I ask you today, if you are harboring any unforgiveness or bitterness, give it to God and ask Him to begin to work in your life and in your heart. Don't allow bitterness to become a disease in your heart and soul for this will only allow the enemy to have a stronghold in your life and it will begin to turn your heart cold toward God and others.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Humility, Desperation, and Dependence
This morning I was convicted by the Holy Spirit by the words that I ended my last post in," I will boldly say, 'I am expecting to hear the doctor say, ...there is no hint of disease or trace of cancer!' ."
I felt that maybe saying that, there was a hint of pride in my words. I want my words to glorify and edify God. Several times the Bible warns us that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). In James 5:5, God says, "...God sets himself against the proud but he shows favor to the humble." I want the words that I speak [and write] to show that I come before God in humility and brokenness and that my prayers and words are for serving Him. I want my words to be based on the character and promises of God, not on pride.
Over the past couple of months I have had to grow strong in my prayer life, put my self-confidence away; throw my pride aside and come to Jesus with a sense of desperation and dependence. I then have had to and must continue to patiently and expectantly watch as God responds to my prayers and acts on my behalf.
This was truly my heart when I spoke [wrote] those words yesterday. I think that God wants you to grow in your prayer life today, heed to His spirit, humble yourself and depend upon Him. Remember, that God's timing isn't always our timing, but put your confidence in Christ and His Word no matter what happens. He is your hope and He will surely reward your trust in Him!
I felt that maybe saying that, there was a hint of pride in my words. I want my words to glorify and edify God. Several times the Bible warns us that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). In James 5:5, God says, "...God sets himself against the proud but he shows favor to the humble." I want the words that I speak [and write] to show that I come before God in humility and brokenness and that my prayers and words are for serving Him. I want my words to be based on the character and promises of God, not on pride.
Over the past couple of months I have had to grow strong in my prayer life, put my self-confidence away; throw my pride aside and come to Jesus with a sense of desperation and dependence. I then have had to and must continue to patiently and expectantly watch as God responds to my prayers and acts on my behalf.
This was truly my heart when I spoke [wrote] those words yesterday. I think that God wants you to grow in your prayer life today, heed to His spirit, humble yourself and depend upon Him. Remember, that God's timing isn't always our timing, but put your confidence in Christ and His Word no matter what happens. He is your hope and He will surely reward your trust in Him!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Knowledge is Power Part II...
I realized one very important thing that I forgot to mention in my previous post...Dr. Warburg's research "hypothesized that cancer, malignant growth, and tumor growth are caused by the fact that tumor cells mainly generate energy by non-oxidative breakdown of glucose (a process called glycolysis). This is in contrast to "healthy" cells which mainly generate energy from oxidative breakdown of pyruvate. Pyruvate is an end-product of glycolysis, and is oxidized within the mitochondria. Hence and according to Warburg, cancer should be interpreted as a mitochondrial dysfunction." I think Dr. Warburg summed it up perfectly in a lecture by saying, "Cancer, above all other diseases, has countless secondary causes. But, even for cancer, there is only one prime cause. Summarized in a few words, the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen in normal body cells by a fermentation of sugar." The first part of this was a bit technical, but that is why I added the quote from Dr. Warburg that summed up the technicalities in layman's terms. Basically, the cancer cells feed off of sugar, because your body has no oxygen in your cells, the unhealthy cells continue to multiply by feeding off of each other and the "sugar" state that your body has created.
Since I am in a "cancerous/diseased" state, to me this all seemed to be too simplistic...in the fact that...if you just give your body more oxygen, then it would eradicate the disease it has because you are putting oxygen into an environment where none exists. Well it isn't quite that simple...oxygen cannot cure disease UNLESS it's delivered to the Cells and Tissues of the body. So we can't just breathe through our lungs to get oxygen (because then what would be the point of eating, if we could nourish our body with just breathing? LOL.) Right now I am trying other methods of helping to help supply my body with oxygen. Some examples of this include drinking water with a product called "cell food (http://www.luminahealth.com, drinking water with lots of Barley Grass powder, and soaking my feet in diluted 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide.
Other things that I am doing include: taking Omega-3 Fish Oil (gel caps), Vitamin E (gel caps), and a liquid vitamin called LiquiVive (http://www.lifenatural.com/liquidvitamins.htm. On a side note, your body tends to absorb anything liquid better than it does caplets. For example, taking a liquid vitamin as opposed to a caplet form. On several websites, I have read your body tends only to absorb between 10-30% of vitamins in a caplet form as opposed to about 90-95% in a liquid form. Many times the caplet form doesn't absorb as well because of what is used to bond the vitamins together...so if you are going to take a caplet form of a vitamin then make sure that it is an organic/natural pill, those tend to breakdown and dissolve in your body more easily than others (e.g. like Centrum). As for the fish oil, yes it is better to take the liquid form, but if you are going to take any form of it...make sure that it is a very purified form (which is probably the more expensive of the brands). "The easiest way to tell whether your fish oil is reasonably free from contaminants is through smell and taste. A very fish taste or smell of fish oil is highly indicative of oil that is not sufficiently refined" [Dr. Barry Sears, author of "The Zone Diet" and "Toxic Fat"]. Look for oils with five-star ratings, indicating that they are pure and potent. I have found fish oils both at Whole Foods, health food stores, and on-line.
I do want to mention that I am taking more of the recommended dosages on some of the above mentioned products. Most of these products are intended for people who are in a semi-healthy to healthy state of being, and just want to maintain or improve their healthy state. As for my case, since I am in a state that the doctor's call "cancerous," then I am taking more than the recommended dosages on some of the products.
As for the hydrogen peroxide soaks...these soaks are actually recommended for many different types of illnesses, such as people who suffer from fibromyalgia, gout, edema, and many others. The idea behind hydrogen peroxide/oxidative therapies (e.g. through the skin, orally, or intravenously) is "based on the belief that you have toxins in your body that are typically burnt up in the process of oxidation (oxygen). Oxidation breaks down toxins into carbon dioxide and water. However, if the body is weak or deficient (whether through the lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, improper breathing, or environmental pollution) our bodies cannot eliminate the toxins adequately and a toxic reaction can occur. Therefore, by introducing oxidative therapies, it introduces active forms of oxygen. Once in the body, the hydrogen peroxide/ozone breaks down into various oxygen sub-species which contact anaerobic viruses and microbes (i.e. the viruses that can live without oxygen) as well as diseased or deficient tissue cells." Basically once this process takes place, your body becomes saturated with these forms of oxygen and the toxicity is oxidized and eliminated from your body. If you want more information on this subject let me know and I will be happy to tell you what I know about it. Again, this is just me giving information that I have.
Since we are on the subject of toxins...I wanted to reinterate why it is so important to have a pH balanced diet. If you don't have a balance diet, your body can go into a state of what doctors call "inflammation." Dr. Andrew Weil (a nutrition and health expert) says, "We all know inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is the cornerstone of the body's healing response, bringing more nourishment and more immune activity to a site of injury or infection." But there are other types of inflammation, one is called silent inflammation. Silent Inflammation is described by Dr. Barry Sears, as "the most dangerous type of inflammation because you do nothing about it as it continues to attack your organs for years until enough accumulated damage occurs to produce a visible chronic disease." This type of inflammation begins slowly and over a long period of time. At first there is no pain associated with it until it becomes into a chronic disease (e.g. heart attack, cancer, etc). Dr. Sears book, "Toxic Fat," describes how we need to have a balance of pro and anti-inflammatory responses. If we one or the other out of balance, then our body is under constant inflammatory attack, but at a low level of intensity. This is how a "pro-inflammatory diet" causes what he calls Toxic Fat Syndrome. The end result of it, is that your body develops chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer's. But if you follow an anti-inflammatory (e.g. pH-balanced diet) you can avoid chronic diseases.
One thing that Dr. Sears points out in his book is that "many of the diseases (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc) that the 'Western civilization' has are probably due to our dietary changes that have occurred in the past twenty-five years." I am sure that you have noticed that there are so many people that have cancer now than there used to be twenty-five years ago. Many of you know of at least one or more people that have cancer. I don't think that it is a coincidence, but I am fairly sure that a lot of it does have to do with our diet.
I will admit, I am guilty of having had a poor diet. I wasn't much for vegetables (not that I am the biggest fan now), but I did like fruit, but didn't seem to eat much of that this past year. I did eat a lot of junk food and things that weren't healthy for me...and the interesting part of all of that...is that one day, I actually thought to myself...well this can't be that bad for me because I am not really gaining weight! Little did I know, there was this thing called silent inflammation. I will be honest and say that I have never been tested for this "Toxic Fat Syndrome" which is linked to silent inflammation, but I truly wouldn't doubt if I had it. He gives a list of questions in his book and says if you answer three or more of them...it is quite likely that you probably have high levels of silent inflammation which can lead to the syndrome.I was able to say "yes" to four of the questions. :( Saying all of that, brings me back to my point of writing all of this...his book mentions that you don't have to be fat to have this "toxic fat syndrome." Which surprised me, since my thinking was, "well I am not gaining weight...so this can't be that bad for me."
All of that said, it is so important to keep a well balance diet if you want to fight off chronic disease. There are several websites and resources out there that give you hints and tips to an "anti-inflammatory diet."
Two months ago, today, God impressed upon me to begin a fast for forty days. I decided to start with the Daniel fast that Aaron and I did a few years ago. I prayed and sought God about the purpose and reason for the fast. I told him that I was expecting great things on His part and asked for His grace to be able to finish well. Those forty days have since passed and I know that I only finished well because of His supernatural grace. During that time, I did a lot of researching on my own and God brought resources to me as well to make more informed decisions about my eating habits. I actually changed my fast to a more restricted one, based on the information that I researched and was given. I have since introduced a couple of other foods into my diet, but I feel that God continues to impress upon me that I must continue so that I make this type of eating a life-long habit. Not just one for a momentary passing. I know that my eating habits will be a life-long process and that in the moments that I just want to give into eating unhealthy foods all the time because that is what is quick and easy...God's strength in me will prevail, because I am weak in those moments.
On November 30, 2010...I will have my next follow-up appointment and I will boldly say, I am expecting to hear the doctor say, "...there is no hint of disease or trace of cancer!"
Since I am in a "cancerous/diseased" state, to me this all seemed to be too simplistic...in the fact that...if you just give your body more oxygen, then it would eradicate the disease it has because you are putting oxygen into an environment where none exists. Well it isn't quite that simple...oxygen cannot cure disease UNLESS it's delivered to the Cells and Tissues of the body. So we can't just breathe through our lungs to get oxygen (because then what would be the point of eating, if we could nourish our body with just breathing? LOL.) Right now I am trying other methods of helping to help supply my body with oxygen. Some examples of this include drinking water with a product called "cell food (http://www.luminahealth.com, drinking water with lots of Barley Grass powder, and soaking my feet in diluted 35% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide.
Other things that I am doing include: taking Omega-3 Fish Oil (gel caps), Vitamin E (gel caps), and a liquid vitamin called LiquiVive (http://www.lifenatural.com/liquidvitamins.htm. On a side note, your body tends to absorb anything liquid better than it does caplets. For example, taking a liquid vitamin as opposed to a caplet form. On several websites, I have read your body tends only to absorb between 10-30% of vitamins in a caplet form as opposed to about 90-95% in a liquid form. Many times the caplet form doesn't absorb as well because of what is used to bond the vitamins together...so if you are going to take a caplet form of a vitamin then make sure that it is an organic/natural pill, those tend to breakdown and dissolve in your body more easily than others (e.g. like Centrum). As for the fish oil, yes it is better to take the liquid form, but if you are going to take any form of it...make sure that it is a very purified form (which is probably the more expensive of the brands). "The easiest way to tell whether your fish oil is reasonably free from contaminants is through smell and taste. A very fish taste or smell of fish oil is highly indicative of oil that is not sufficiently refined" [Dr. Barry Sears, author of "The Zone Diet" and "Toxic Fat"]. Look for oils with five-star ratings, indicating that they are pure and potent. I have found fish oils both at Whole Foods, health food stores, and on-line.
I do want to mention that I am taking more of the recommended dosages on some of the above mentioned products. Most of these products are intended for people who are in a semi-healthy to healthy state of being, and just want to maintain or improve their healthy state. As for my case, since I am in a state that the doctor's call "cancerous," then I am taking more than the recommended dosages on some of the products.
As for the hydrogen peroxide soaks...these soaks are actually recommended for many different types of illnesses, such as people who suffer from fibromyalgia, gout, edema, and many others. The idea behind hydrogen peroxide/oxidative therapies (e.g. through the skin, orally, or intravenously) is "based on the belief that you have toxins in your body that are typically burnt up in the process of oxidation (oxygen). Oxidation breaks down toxins into carbon dioxide and water. However, if the body is weak or deficient (whether through the lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking, improper breathing, or environmental pollution) our bodies cannot eliminate the toxins adequately and a toxic reaction can occur. Therefore, by introducing oxidative therapies, it introduces active forms of oxygen. Once in the body, the hydrogen peroxide/ozone breaks down into various oxygen sub-species which contact anaerobic viruses and microbes (i.e. the viruses that can live without oxygen) as well as diseased or deficient tissue cells." Basically once this process takes place, your body becomes saturated with these forms of oxygen and the toxicity is oxidized and eliminated from your body. If you want more information on this subject let me know and I will be happy to tell you what I know about it. Again, this is just me giving information that I have.
Since we are on the subject of toxins...I wanted to reinterate why it is so important to have a pH balanced diet. If you don't have a balance diet, your body can go into a state of what doctors call "inflammation." Dr. Andrew Weil (a nutrition and health expert) says, "We all know inflammation on the surface of the body as local redness, heat, swelling and pain. It is the cornerstone of the body's healing response, bringing more nourishment and more immune activity to a site of injury or infection." But there are other types of inflammation, one is called silent inflammation. Silent Inflammation is described by Dr. Barry Sears, as "the most dangerous type of inflammation because you do nothing about it as it continues to attack your organs for years until enough accumulated damage occurs to produce a visible chronic disease." This type of inflammation begins slowly and over a long period of time. At first there is no pain associated with it until it becomes into a chronic disease (e.g. heart attack, cancer, etc). Dr. Sears book, "Toxic Fat," describes how we need to have a balance of pro and anti-inflammatory responses. If we one or the other out of balance, then our body is under constant inflammatory attack, but at a low level of intensity. This is how a "pro-inflammatory diet" causes what he calls Toxic Fat Syndrome. The end result of it, is that your body develops chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer's. But if you follow an anti-inflammatory (e.g. pH-balanced diet) you can avoid chronic diseases.
One thing that Dr. Sears points out in his book is that "many of the diseases (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc) that the 'Western civilization' has are probably due to our dietary changes that have occurred in the past twenty-five years." I am sure that you have noticed that there are so many people that have cancer now than there used to be twenty-five years ago. Many of you know of at least one or more people that have cancer. I don't think that it is a coincidence, but I am fairly sure that a lot of it does have to do with our diet.
I will admit, I am guilty of having had a poor diet. I wasn't much for vegetables (not that I am the biggest fan now), but I did like fruit, but didn't seem to eat much of that this past year. I did eat a lot of junk food and things that weren't healthy for me...and the interesting part of all of that...is that one day, I actually thought to myself...well this can't be that bad for me because I am not really gaining weight! Little did I know, there was this thing called silent inflammation. I will be honest and say that I have never been tested for this "Toxic Fat Syndrome" which is linked to silent inflammation, but I truly wouldn't doubt if I had it. He gives a list of questions in his book and says if you answer three or more of them...it is quite likely that you probably have high levels of silent inflammation which can lead to the syndrome.I was able to say "yes" to four of the questions. :( Saying all of that, brings me back to my point of writing all of this...his book mentions that you don't have to be fat to have this "toxic fat syndrome." Which surprised me, since my thinking was, "well I am not gaining weight...so this can't be that bad for me."
All of that said, it is so important to keep a well balance diet if you want to fight off chronic disease. There are several websites and resources out there that give you hints and tips to an "anti-inflammatory diet."
Two months ago, today, God impressed upon me to begin a fast for forty days. I decided to start with the Daniel fast that Aaron and I did a few years ago. I prayed and sought God about the purpose and reason for the fast. I told him that I was expecting great things on His part and asked for His grace to be able to finish well. Those forty days have since passed and I know that I only finished well because of His supernatural grace. During that time, I did a lot of researching on my own and God brought resources to me as well to make more informed decisions about my eating habits. I actually changed my fast to a more restricted one, based on the information that I researched and was given. I have since introduced a couple of other foods into my diet, but I feel that God continues to impress upon me that I must continue so that I make this type of eating a life-long habit. Not just one for a momentary passing. I know that my eating habits will be a life-long process and that in the moments that I just want to give into eating unhealthy foods all the time because that is what is quick and easy...God's strength in me will prevail, because I am weak in those moments.
On November 30, 2010...I will have my next follow-up appointment and I will boldly say, I am expecting to hear the doctor say, "...there is no hint of disease or trace of cancer!"
Knowledge is Power!!
Today, the holy spirit impressed upon me to begin to share the knowledge that I have acquired over the past couple of months. I was also asked by a dear friend of mine to share this knowledge with you. I do want to warn you that this information will lead you to improve your health. I am not a medical doctor nor a dietician; therefore, know that I am sharing the things that God (the Great Physician) has given me as a tool to improve my health.
These past couple of months have been truly eye opening for me. I have learned that most diseases in this world are caused by insufficent levels of oxygen in our bodies. I emphasize caused because there are many things that are precursors or by-products of disease (e.g. viruses, microbes, germs, harmful bacteria, genes, stress, and toxins in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the things we consume), but not necessarily the cause. One article that I read said that while these above mentioned factors do "characterize most diseases, or might be precursors or by-products of disease, they do not CAUSE disease. Rather, they bring about a condition in the body (oxygen deficiency) that, in turn, causes disease."
A two-time Nobel Prize-winning doctor, Otto Warburg, won the Nobel Prize in 1931, for his research into cellular respiration, showing that cancer thrives in anaerobic (without oxygen) or acidic conditions. Dr. "Warburg reported that cancer cells maintain a lower pH, as low as 6.0, due to lactic acid production and elevated CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). He firmly believed that there was a direct relationship between pH and oxygen. Higher pH means higher concentration of oxygen molecules while lower pH means lower concentrations of oxygen."
What I have gathered from that information and many other articles is that a body that is rich in oxygen has a lower probability of acquiring disease, and because cancer cells, harmful bacteria, toxins, pathogens, and disease microorganisms can't live in a high-oxygen environment, they cannot survive!
Did you know that every human being has cancer cells existing in their body, but the difference between someone who develops cancer and someone who is healthy, is that the person who is healthy has a strong immune system that is able to fight off the existing cancer cells. Eating poorly, not exercising, and high stress levels, are just some of the ways that we compromise our immune system on a daily basis.
That is why you always hear commercials and doctors say, "eat healthy," "eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day," and exercise daily. All of these things (even though we seem immuned/or desensitized to them) have an underlying truth...they create oxygen to your body. They help your body create an oxygen-rich environment that fights off diseases.
Now to go into some details of what I have learned about our bodies and food. [If you remember earlier, I talked about how Dr. Warburg's studies found that having an anaerobic (low oxygen) and/or acidic (low PH level) environment creates an environment for cancer cells to grow.] Therefore, knowing that information, it is important for us to have a diet that is "pH" balanced. I am sure you hear that term in commercials, on food labels or cans, and through media all the time.
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are said to be basic or alkaline. For example... Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at 77 °F. Here is a picture of what some typical pH values look like (they range from 0-14). Think of the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV [Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet]), just like a continuum. The Red is like a 1 (acidic) on the pH scale and 7 is Green and 14 (alkaline or base) is Violet. The ideal pH level is between a 7.35 and 7.45. Here is a link in wikipedia that gives you an idea of what this looks like and what types of things would be considered acidic and alkaline(base):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PH_Scale.svg.
Also, here is one of the better sites that I have found that gives you a great idea of what foods are acidic and alkaline. It is a good start to giving you a great idea of what types of things should be in your diet to keep you at the ideal pH level. http://www.balance-ph-diet.com/acid_alkaline_food_chart.html.
Now, remember this is a balancing act, from what I have read it seems that you should eat about 80% of your food in the alkaline level and about 20% in the base level. It seems that it is better to be more alkaline than base...given the knowledge that we now know that cancerous/diseased cells tend to grow in an acidic environment.
If you want to know your pH-levels on a daily basis...you can buy pH strips at some health food stores, on-line, or in a some medical supply stores. There seems to be two different types of pH strips, one looks like a scotch tape roll (less expensive $5-10 per roll) and the other is like strips of white plastic with a little square of litmus paper (more expensive $15-25/50 strips) at the end of it.
If you are struggling with cancer or any other type of disease, especially auto-immune related, in my opinion, it would be important for you to check your levels at least once daily. Just to make sure that you are staying more on the alkaline side of the pH balance.
This is just ONE of many components that I am currently doing. I will post more as the week goes by. I hope that this has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments...please feel free to comment on this page. I do moderate the comments, so it won't automatically show your comments until I allow it to.
Ultimately, I want to say...God is the one who is in charge. We have to do our part in helping ourselves, but ultimately it is our FAITH in Him that overcomes all things.
--Con Amor, Tina
These past couple of months have been truly eye opening for me. I have learned that most diseases in this world are caused by insufficent levels of oxygen in our bodies. I emphasize caused because there are many things that are precursors or by-products of disease (e.g. viruses, microbes, germs, harmful bacteria, genes, stress, and toxins in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the things we consume), but not necessarily the cause. One article that I read said that while these above mentioned factors do "characterize most diseases, or might be precursors or by-products of disease, they do not CAUSE disease. Rather, they bring about a condition in the body (oxygen deficiency) that, in turn, causes disease."
A two-time Nobel Prize-winning doctor, Otto Warburg, won the Nobel Prize in 1931, for his research into cellular respiration, showing that cancer thrives in anaerobic (without oxygen) or acidic conditions. Dr. "Warburg reported that cancer cells maintain a lower pH, as low as 6.0, due to lactic acid production and elevated CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). He firmly believed that there was a direct relationship between pH and oxygen. Higher pH means higher concentration of oxygen molecules while lower pH means lower concentrations of oxygen."
What I have gathered from that information and many other articles is that a body that is rich in oxygen has a lower probability of acquiring disease, and because cancer cells, harmful bacteria, toxins, pathogens, and disease microorganisms can't live in a high-oxygen environment, they cannot survive!
Did you know that every human being has cancer cells existing in their body, but the difference between someone who develops cancer and someone who is healthy, is that the person who is healthy has a strong immune system that is able to fight off the existing cancer cells. Eating poorly, not exercising, and high stress levels, are just some of the ways that we compromise our immune system on a daily basis.
That is why you always hear commercials and doctors say, "eat healthy," "eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day," and exercise daily. All of these things (even though we seem immuned/or desensitized to them) have an underlying truth...they create oxygen to your body. They help your body create an oxygen-rich environment that fights off diseases.
Now to go into some details of what I have learned about our bodies and food. [If you remember earlier, I talked about how Dr. Warburg's studies found that having an anaerobic (low oxygen) and/or acidic (low PH level) environment creates an environment for cancer cells to grow.] Therefore, knowing that information, it is important for us to have a diet that is "pH" balanced. I am sure you hear that term in commercials, on food labels or cans, and through media all the time.
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are said to be basic or alkaline. For example... Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at 77 °F. Here is a picture of what some typical pH values look like (they range from 0-14). Think of the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV [Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet]), just like a continuum. The Red is like a 1 (acidic) on the pH scale and 7 is Green and 14 (alkaline or base) is Violet. The ideal pH level is between a 7.35 and 7.45. Here is a link in wikipedia that gives you an idea of what this looks like and what types of things would be considered acidic and alkaline(base):http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PH_Scale.svg.
Also, here is one of the better sites that I have found that gives you a great idea of what foods are acidic and alkaline. It is a good start to giving you a great idea of what types of things should be in your diet to keep you at the ideal pH level. http://www.balance-ph-diet.com/acid_alkaline_food_chart.html.
Now, remember this is a balancing act, from what I have read it seems that you should eat about 80% of your food in the alkaline level and about 20% in the base level. It seems that it is better to be more alkaline than base...given the knowledge that we now know that cancerous/diseased cells tend to grow in an acidic environment.
If you want to know your pH-levels on a daily basis...you can buy pH strips at some health food stores, on-line, or in a some medical supply stores. There seems to be two different types of pH strips, one looks like a scotch tape roll (less expensive $5-10 per roll) and the other is like strips of white plastic with a little square of litmus paper (more expensive $15-25/50 strips) at the end of it.
If you are struggling with cancer or any other type of disease, especially auto-immune related, in my opinion, it would be important for you to check your levels at least once daily. Just to make sure that you are staying more on the alkaline side of the pH balance.
This is just ONE of many components that I am currently doing. I will post more as the week goes by. I hope that this has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments...please feel free to comment on this page. I do moderate the comments, so it won't automatically show your comments until I allow it to.
Ultimately, I want to say...God is the one who is in charge. We have to do our part in helping ourselves, but ultimately it is our FAITH in Him that overcomes all things.
--Con Amor, Tina
Friday, November 12, 2010
Confidence and Strength
This week I was truly excited to see that they have scheduled my next check-up appointment for November 30, 2010. This next verse "...Let the weak say, 'I am strong'" (Joel 3:10) gave me the strength to continue being obedient to what God has called me to do (e.g. eating right, taking my vitamins, eating my barley grass, drinking my daily water dosages, exercising, writing this blog for all to hear God's word, conducting my daily foot soaks in H202, and reading, memorizing, and surrounding myself with His daily word and songs).
Some days it truly is a struggle for me to all the things on my 'to do' list, including not only my health related things, but loving my family, spending quality time with them, and performing the daily duties around our home. Overwhelmed is a word that has come to my mind many days, but I then just remind myself of what Isaiah 27:5 says, "Let him take hold of my strength." I have had to do just that! I sometimes literally reach my hands up to God and say, "Jesus help me today, I need your strength." I know that I can't juggle all of life's demands on my own and I need the Lord to help me, to give me His grace.
At times when I feel like I have failed to meet "my daily expectations," I have to remind myself of Hebrews 10:35, "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." I have to remember that I have to be confident in God's word, regardless of what happens on a day to day basis. I remind myself that because I have put my confidence in Jesus Christ and His word, that He is my hope and He will reward my efforts if I trust in Him.
At the end of the day, I have to tell myself, even if I feel as though I wasn't quite perfect in all the goals I wanted to accomplish that day...God sees my efforts and knows that my confidence and strength lies in Him.
If you have had a particularly stressful day and you are feeling overwhelmed and weak...say to yourself, "I am strong." I have the power and strength of the Lord God and He will see me through today...tomorrow...and all of my days. Or maybe you have had an uneventful day, but others around need encouragement and peace in their lives...share these words with them. Who knows, maybe you can be the light in the darkness of their day!!
Some days it truly is a struggle for me to all the things on my 'to do' list, including not only my health related things, but loving my family, spending quality time with them, and performing the daily duties around our home. Overwhelmed is a word that has come to my mind many days, but I then just remind myself of what Isaiah 27:5 says, "Let him take hold of my strength." I have had to do just that! I sometimes literally reach my hands up to God and say, "Jesus help me today, I need your strength." I know that I can't juggle all of life's demands on my own and I need the Lord to help me, to give me His grace.
At times when I feel like I have failed to meet "my daily expectations," I have to remind myself of Hebrews 10:35, "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." I have to remember that I have to be confident in God's word, regardless of what happens on a day to day basis. I remind myself that because I have put my confidence in Jesus Christ and His word, that He is my hope and He will reward my efforts if I trust in Him.
At the end of the day, I have to tell myself, even if I feel as though I wasn't quite perfect in all the goals I wanted to accomplish that day...God sees my efforts and knows that my confidence and strength lies in Him.
If you have had a particularly stressful day and you are feeling overwhelmed and weak...say to yourself, "I am strong." I have the power and strength of the Lord God and He will see me through today...tomorrow...and all of my days. Or maybe you have had an uneventful day, but others around need encouragement and peace in their lives...share these words with them. Who knows, maybe you can be the light in the darkness of their day!!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
All-In...
The "Serious Poker Dictionary" defines All-In when a player puts the last of their chips into a pot.
About 22 months ago, my pastor asked Aaron and I a very serious and important question. He asked us "are you all-in?" In this case, he was asking us if we were on board with the vision that God had given him to start Thrive Church. He asked us to give him six months to help him start the church. In my point of view, I felt he was asking us for a huge faith move. And at the same time asking,"Do you have enough faith to believe that God has something awesome in store for the people of Katy/Richmond and for you too?"
Aaron and I were quite comfortable where we were at. We loved the church we attended for so many years and had so many close friends that it was hard to think about leaving all of that, to begin a church from the foundation up. But that is where God had stepped in, a few months earlier...He began to prepare my heart slowly and subtly. I'm not really sure where the preparation truly began, but I felt myself slowly beginning to be pulled in a new direction...so once our pastor cast out his vision and told us we had forty-eight hours to give him an answer...we had to step out in faith and know that when we said, "Yes, we'll do it." That this was what God had called us to do.
Those couple of days were ones that were quite difficult for us, but through much time in prayer and seeking God we made our decision to say "yes." Today we are proud to say that we made the decision to be "all-in." We have seen so many people's lives be changed for God's glory.
At this point in my life, I have had to to tell God, okay...here you go, here's my chips, I'm "all-in." Almost every moment of everyday over the past two months I have had to fight with the enemy to cast down imaginations that are not true of God and His word. I have tried to do my best to be obedient to all of God's commands on me (e.g. through my eating habits, exercising, researching things on my own about cancer, taking time to focus on the Word of God). So that no matter what happens I know that I have followed everything that He has asked of me and I can be confident in God's promises.
Mind you I am only human and I have had weak moments where I have waivered here and there, but the Lord knows my heart and know that I am seeking Him with all I have. I know that in Hebrews 10:35, it says "do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens." I have to remember that God is truly my hope and my confidence. If I trust in Him he will truly reward me.
When you decide that you are "all-in" and you are wanting and willing to seek God. Remember to find strength and knowledge through His word and He will reward you because you have confidence in Him.
About 22 months ago, my pastor asked Aaron and I a very serious and important question. He asked us "are you all-in?" In this case, he was asking us if we were on board with the vision that God had given him to start Thrive Church. He asked us to give him six months to help him start the church. In my point of view, I felt he was asking us for a huge faith move. And at the same time asking,"Do you have enough faith to believe that God has something awesome in store for the people of Katy/Richmond and for you too?"
Aaron and I were quite comfortable where we were at. We loved the church we attended for so many years and had so many close friends that it was hard to think about leaving all of that, to begin a church from the foundation up. But that is where God had stepped in, a few months earlier...He began to prepare my heart slowly and subtly. I'm not really sure where the preparation truly began, but I felt myself slowly beginning to be pulled in a new direction...so once our pastor cast out his vision and told us we had forty-eight hours to give him an answer...we had to step out in faith and know that when we said, "Yes, we'll do it." That this was what God had called us to do.
Those couple of days were ones that were quite difficult for us, but through much time in prayer and seeking God we made our decision to say "yes." Today we are proud to say that we made the decision to be "all-in." We have seen so many people's lives be changed for God's glory.
At this point in my life, I have had to to tell God, okay...here you go, here's my chips, I'm "all-in." Almost every moment of everyday over the past two months I have had to fight with the enemy to cast down imaginations that are not true of God and His word. I have tried to do my best to be obedient to all of God's commands on me (e.g. through my eating habits, exercising, researching things on my own about cancer, taking time to focus on the Word of God). So that no matter what happens I know that I have followed everything that He has asked of me and I can be confident in God's promises.
Mind you I am only human and I have had weak moments where I have waivered here and there, but the Lord knows my heart and know that I am seeking Him with all I have. I know that in Hebrews 10:35, it says "do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens." I have to remember that God is truly my hope and my confidence. If I trust in Him he will truly reward me.
When you decide that you are "all-in" and you are wanting and willing to seek God. Remember to find strength and knowledge through His word and He will reward you because you have confidence in Him.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
True Faith...
The definition in Webster's dictionary says Faith is an "allegiance to duty or a person; loyalty; fidelity to one's promises; sincerity of intentions; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust."
God's word describes faith as "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version)." The New Living Translation says " Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." The beginning point of our faith, you see, is believing that God is who he says he is. And then ending with believing He will do what he says He is going to do. That is truly why it is so important that we read God's Word so we have the knowledge of God's promises. If we don't know what He has promised us, then how can we have faith in what He says? But when we know what those promises are, but we don't see them actually happening, yet we still believe that they will come to pass, then we demonstrate true faith.
I like the following example of how faith may play a part in an everyday life scenario..."Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith!"
One thing about God's word I will say is that like pretty much anything in our life...His promises are conditional, and there are some things we must do. God's word says this about diseases and healing, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26 New Living Translation).
When I say that His promises are conditional, I mean that we must heed to what God impresses upon our hearts and what His word says. You must "fight" with your faith and God's word. One example might be, if you ask God to give you a raise or promotion at work...it is not to say that He can't just make it happen, but it might be likely that He may want you to do your part by working hard, showing up to work on time, researching ways to improve your job, learning ways to handle your money by investing, etc. This may be His way of preparing you to be equipped and ready for the position that He is about to put you in. Another example may be that you want to make an "A" in a class or that you want to pass an exam for your job...you can't expect that you will will make that "A" or pass without having studied for your tests or done your homework in the class. Also, if we are wanting to be healthy...we must eat right (e.g. not eating too much of the things that are unhealthy for us and eating the healthy things) and exercise.
If you have never given your life to Christ, you need to let Jesus be the Lord over your life. Romans 10:9,10 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." When you repent of your sins and confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you can have confidence to believe God for the prayers you ask of Him. If you are a new Christian or if you don't know the Lord's promises, then I would encourage you to read's God word, memorize it, and keep it in the "...midst of your heart; for they [God's words} are life to those who find them and health to all of their flesh. (Proverbs 4: 20-22)"
Believe in the power of your prayers and confess with faith without wavering, because Jesus is faithful to what He has promised.
I pray that these words have encouraged your heart and that you always pray with faith. Even webster's got it right when they said faith is defined by "firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust."
Con Amor, Tina
God's word describes faith as "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 New King James Version)." The New Living Translation says " Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." The beginning point of our faith, you see, is believing that God is who he says he is. And then ending with believing He will do what he says He is going to do. That is truly why it is so important that we read God's Word so we have the knowledge of God's promises. If we don't know what He has promised us, then how can we have faith in what He says? But when we know what those promises are, but we don't see them actually happening, yet we still believe that they will come to pass, then we demonstrate true faith.
I like the following example of how faith may play a part in an everyday life scenario..."Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith!"
One thing about God's word I will say is that like pretty much anything in our life...His promises are conditional, and there are some things we must do. God's word says this about diseases and healing, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26 New Living Translation).
When I say that His promises are conditional, I mean that we must heed to what God impresses upon our hearts and what His word says. You must "fight" with your faith and God's word. One example might be, if you ask God to give you a raise or promotion at work...it is not to say that He can't just make it happen, but it might be likely that He may want you to do your part by working hard, showing up to work on time, researching ways to improve your job, learning ways to handle your money by investing, etc. This may be His way of preparing you to be equipped and ready for the position that He is about to put you in. Another example may be that you want to make an "A" in a class or that you want to pass an exam for your job...you can't expect that you will will make that "A" or pass without having studied for your tests or done your homework in the class. Also, if we are wanting to be healthy...we must eat right (e.g. not eating too much of the things that are unhealthy for us and eating the healthy things) and exercise.
If you have never given your life to Christ, you need to let Jesus be the Lord over your life. Romans 10:9,10 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." When you repent of your sins and confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you can have confidence to believe God for the prayers you ask of Him. If you are a new Christian or if you don't know the Lord's promises, then I would encourage you to read's God word, memorize it, and keep it in the "...midst of your heart; for they [God's words} are life to those who find them and health to all of their flesh. (Proverbs 4: 20-22)"
Believe in the power of your prayers and confess with faith without wavering, because Jesus is faithful to what He has promised.
I pray that these words have encouraged your heart and that you always pray with faith. Even webster's got it right when they said faith is defined by "firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust."
Con Amor, Tina
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Personal Responsibility...
As a warrior for Christ...Paul who wrote the book of the bible called Romans says, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." (Romans 12:1)
For a long time (before I was married) I always thought of that verse to mean that I shouldn't add another tatoo (YES, I have a tatoo!) to myself or that I should always wear more modest clothing so as not to make a man stumble in their walk with God or that I should not use profanity. As a baby Christian, just beginning to truly learn about God and who He was...I was very literal and only had a limited perspective on God. That is not a bad thing...it was just a thing...that is just where I was, and for me...that was MY beginning of a new journey into knowing who God was and what He wanted for me. All those things were things I had my own convictions about at the time. Your convictions right now may be something totally different than those...maybe you need to stop drinking and/or smoking...or maybe you need to honor God by using your talents and gifts the way He intended you to use them. I don't know where your convictions lie, but heed to that still small voice that is telling you to honor God in the way He intended.
God has brought me a long way from that point and has taught me so much from then till now. I now see this verse in a whole different light and see it as "my personal responsibility" to offer myself...which includes not only honoring Him by the ways listed above, but also honor Him by using the gifts and talents that He has given me so I can build up His church!
God has given each of us a unique ability to do certain things well. Whether it be to prophesy (speaking out when you have faith that God is speaking through you), or the gift of serving, loving, showing kindness, encouraging, or leading others. Or even if He has blessed you with money, that you share it generously. Whatever your gifts are God be faithful in seeking ways to serve other with what Christ has given you!
And if you are unsure of what those gifts are...then begin reading God's word and pray in faith and believe that God will reveal to you the way in which you can "be a living and holy sacrifice" to Him.
For a long time (before I was married) I always thought of that verse to mean that I shouldn't add another tatoo (YES, I have a tatoo!) to myself or that I should always wear more modest clothing so as not to make a man stumble in their walk with God or that I should not use profanity. As a baby Christian, just beginning to truly learn about God and who He was...I was very literal and only had a limited perspective on God. That is not a bad thing...it was just a thing...that is just where I was, and for me...that was MY beginning of a new journey into knowing who God was and what He wanted for me. All those things were things I had my own convictions about at the time. Your convictions right now may be something totally different than those...maybe you need to stop drinking and/or smoking...or maybe you need to honor God by using your talents and gifts the way He intended you to use them. I don't know where your convictions lie, but heed to that still small voice that is telling you to honor God in the way He intended.
God has brought me a long way from that point and has taught me so much from then till now. I now see this verse in a whole different light and see it as "my personal responsibility" to offer myself...which includes not only honoring Him by the ways listed above, but also honor Him by using the gifts and talents that He has given me so I can build up His church!
God has given each of us a unique ability to do certain things well. Whether it be to prophesy (speaking out when you have faith that God is speaking through you), or the gift of serving, loving, showing kindness, encouraging, or leading others. Or even if He has blessed you with money, that you share it generously. Whatever your gifts are God be faithful in seeking ways to serve other with what Christ has given you!
And if you are unsure of what those gifts are...then begin reading God's word and pray in faith and believe that God will reveal to you the way in which you can "be a living and holy sacrifice" to Him.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Focus, Focus, Focus and...
FIGHT!
These past couple of weeks I have truly had to delve into the WORD of God to find what promises He has made to me [and to you] about healing. As I stated in my previous (October 20th) post, God's word says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...(Hosea 4:6 New King James Version)"; therefore, I have literally saturated my mind, thoughts, prayers, and now my walls in my house and the beginnings in my office at work, with God's promises.
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Phillipians 2:13 New Living Translation)." The New King James version says, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God's will, healing, is working in me [you]. Dodie Osteen says in her book "Healed of Cancer," "God you said that You are working in me. You are working in my body both to will and to do for you good pleasure. Father You are working in my mind, renewing it. My health is your good pleasure."
I thank God that He has given me so many promises and that I can remind Him of those on a daily basis. It has been so important for me to saturate myself with these, so I can arm my self in this battle. I have literally had to "focus, focus, focus" on God's word...so that I have the weapons to destroy the lies that the enemy tries to cast in my mind.
Things that cast doubt into our minds and spirit, that are against what God says, those are the ways that the enemy works to steal, kill, and destroy us. When we allow ourselves to dwell on the things that bring doubt and are contrary to what God says...then we are allowing the enemy to have a foothold (a "say so") in our lives. That is why it is so important to know what God says and speaks over our lives.
Just like in life, if we don't know what has been promised to us, for example, our salaries in our jobs, then we don't have any way of knowing what to expect from our paycheck; therefore, it gives our households instability in knowing how to plan to pay for our bills. It can give our families worries and doubt not knowing how they will be provided for and if they will have food from week to week. You see, if we don't have a strong foundation and stability then we will be like sand, moving from place to place, depending on the wind or rain to move us from place to place.
God has given us all the power and knowledge on how to navigate through life by His word. Therefore, if you are just beginning to learn...keep going at it...don't feel condemned if you don't know God's word. Just begin learning and reading and God will meet you beyond your expectations.
Seek His Face today!
These past couple of weeks I have truly had to delve into the WORD of God to find what promises He has made to me [and to you] about healing. As I stated in my previous (October 20th) post, God's word says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...(Hosea 4:6 New King James Version)"; therefore, I have literally saturated my mind, thoughts, prayers, and now my walls in my house and the beginnings in my office at work, with God's promises.
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Phillipians 2:13 New Living Translation)." The New King James version says, "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. God's will, healing, is working in me [you]. Dodie Osteen says in her book "Healed of Cancer," "God you said that You are working in me. You are working in my body both to will and to do for you good pleasure. Father You are working in my mind, renewing it. My health is your good pleasure."
I thank God that He has given me so many promises and that I can remind Him of those on a daily basis. It has been so important for me to saturate myself with these, so I can arm my self in this battle. I have literally had to "focus, focus, focus" on God's word...so that I have the weapons to destroy the lies that the enemy tries to cast in my mind.
Things that cast doubt into our minds and spirit, that are against what God says, those are the ways that the enemy works to steal, kill, and destroy us. When we allow ourselves to dwell on the things that bring doubt and are contrary to what God says...then we are allowing the enemy to have a foothold (a "say so") in our lives. That is why it is so important to know what God says and speaks over our lives.
Just like in life, if we don't know what has been promised to us, for example, our salaries in our jobs, then we don't have any way of knowing what to expect from our paycheck; therefore, it gives our households instability in knowing how to plan to pay for our bills. It can give our families worries and doubt not knowing how they will be provided for and if they will have food from week to week. You see, if we don't have a strong foundation and stability then we will be like sand, moving from place to place, depending on the wind or rain to move us from place to place.
God has given us all the power and knowledge on how to navigate through life by His word. Therefore, if you are just beginning to learn...keep going at it...don't feel condemned if you don't know God's word. Just begin learning and reading and God will meet you beyond your expectations.
Seek His Face today!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Ammunition...
God has truly been speaking to me throughout this "second chapter" about empowering myself by educating myself on what cancer is and how it becomes to manifest itself in the body and how to keep it from returning.
Aaron and I have been to the best doctors. These are the guys that are heads of their departments, "the chief directors." And not one of them educated us about my cancer...like how it starts, what it is comprised of, and how it feeds itself. NOT ONE! Now don't get me wrong...they told me I needed to eat right, exercise, and take vitamins. But now looking back, I am quite disappointed that I feel like they never addressed what cancer was and how I could specifically combat it. BUT GOD...
He first began by bringing Cathy into my life. A nutritionist, who had previously had cancer and she combatted it with natural therapies. That is truly why I felt God's ultimate peace about choosing the path of alternative/naturalistic therapies. She has been such a blessing to my life and has helped teach me about cancer and has helped me tremendously by finding resources I would have never found on my own. She has given me a whole different perspective about how God truly knew what he was doing when he provided us with the foods and nutrients to help keep our bodies alive and well.
Her help, prompted me to do a lot of research on my own; thereby educating myself on what I needed to do to help my body heal itself. Before I met Cathy, God asked me to begin fasting and praying for my healing on September 15th. He led me to fast for forty days. I feel because I was obedient to His prompting, He has brought many resources into my life to help me learn about myself and how my body works. I have read several articles and have recently began reading a book that I feel has helped me know how exactly I was "poisoning" my body. I also read Dodie Osteen's book called, "Healed of Cancer." Another resource God provided me was Dr. Battle's knowledge on the body, how it works, and exactly what areas of my body needed to be helped.
A little diversion...for many years, I have prayed that I would live a long life, but not only did I want to live to be really old (maybe 94 or 100 years-old) but have a great quality of life even at that age. All that, included not only being physically healthy, but to have a sharp mind and to have a memory that would help me remember the wisdom that God had given to me so that I could share with others.
God's word says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...(Hosea 4:6 New King James Version). I truly believe that God's word is our power and we must equip ourselves with the "ammunition" that it has given us. But in order to equip ourselves we must read and know His word for His word is the difference between life and death.
Life and death in my case is literally a physical manifestation, but in your case it may be different. It might be the "life and death" of a relationship in your life or it could be a battle in your life that you have to face every day...like depression, anxiety, bitterness, or even regret. Whatever, the case may be...know that God's word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There are so many scriptures of healing that apply to every area of your life and that ultimately lead to your healing.
I have an unshakeable confidence in the Lord and His word. One thing I have truly had to battle throughout this process is the enemy casting doubt in my mind. I love waht Dodie Osteen says, "You can have doubt in your head, but faith in your heart! The weapons of our warfare are not carnal for they are mighty in God casting down imaginations and every high and lofty thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ. Be strong and bring every thought into line of God's word!
I have had to tell myself that I am only human and that even though at times I have wavered in my thoughts, I have never wavered in my heart about the truth that God has spoken into my life (that I am healed and set free of fear that has tried to attach itself to me).
I have declared over my life what Nahum 1:9, says, "What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it.Affliction will not rise up a second time."
I believe that God's word it the truth and He will follow through with all of His promises as long as I truly believe them and not waiver in my heart!
Father I am strong in the power of your might. Let me take hold of your strength. Lord, I need you! I pray today that you take these words today, get your "ammunition" ready and begin to "fire" against the attacks of the enemy in every area of your life.
--Con Amor, Tina
Aaron and I have been to the best doctors. These are the guys that are heads of their departments, "the chief directors." And not one of them educated us about my cancer...like how it starts, what it is comprised of, and how it feeds itself. NOT ONE! Now don't get me wrong...they told me I needed to eat right, exercise, and take vitamins. But now looking back, I am quite disappointed that I feel like they never addressed what cancer was and how I could specifically combat it. BUT GOD...
He first began by bringing Cathy into my life. A nutritionist, who had previously had cancer and she combatted it with natural therapies. That is truly why I felt God's ultimate peace about choosing the path of alternative/naturalistic therapies. She has been such a blessing to my life and has helped teach me about cancer and has helped me tremendously by finding resources I would have never found on my own. She has given me a whole different perspective about how God truly knew what he was doing when he provided us with the foods and nutrients to help keep our bodies alive and well.
Her help, prompted me to do a lot of research on my own; thereby educating myself on what I needed to do to help my body heal itself. Before I met Cathy, God asked me to begin fasting and praying for my healing on September 15th. He led me to fast for forty days. I feel because I was obedient to His prompting, He has brought many resources into my life to help me learn about myself and how my body works. I have read several articles and have recently began reading a book that I feel has helped me know how exactly I was "poisoning" my body. I also read Dodie Osteen's book called, "Healed of Cancer." Another resource God provided me was Dr. Battle's knowledge on the body, how it works, and exactly what areas of my body needed to be helped.
A little diversion...for many years, I have prayed that I would live a long life, but not only did I want to live to be really old (maybe 94 or 100 years-old) but have a great quality of life even at that age. All that, included not only being physically healthy, but to have a sharp mind and to have a memory that would help me remember the wisdom that God had given to me so that I could share with others.
God's word says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...(Hosea 4:6 New King James Version). I truly believe that God's word is our power and we must equip ourselves with the "ammunition" that it has given us. But in order to equip ourselves we must read and know His word for His word is the difference between life and death.
Life and death in my case is literally a physical manifestation, but in your case it may be different. It might be the "life and death" of a relationship in your life or it could be a battle in your life that you have to face every day...like depression, anxiety, bitterness, or even regret. Whatever, the case may be...know that God's word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There are so many scriptures of healing that apply to every area of your life and that ultimately lead to your healing.
I have an unshakeable confidence in the Lord and His word. One thing I have truly had to battle throughout this process is the enemy casting doubt in my mind. I love waht Dodie Osteen says, "You can have doubt in your head, but faith in your heart! The weapons of our warfare are not carnal for they are mighty in God casting down imaginations and every high and lofty thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ. Be strong and bring every thought into line of God's word!
I have had to tell myself that I am only human and that even though at times I have wavered in my thoughts, I have never wavered in my heart about the truth that God has spoken into my life (that I am healed and set free of fear that has tried to attach itself to me).
I have declared over my life what Nahum 1:9, says, "What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it.Affliction will not rise up a second time."
I believe that God's word it the truth and He will follow through with all of His promises as long as I truly believe them and not waiver in my heart!
Father I am strong in the power of your might. Let me take hold of your strength. Lord, I need you! I pray today that you take these words today, get your "ammunition" ready and begin to "fire" against the attacks of the enemy in every area of your life.
--Con Amor, Tina
Friday, October 15, 2010
Dr. BATTLE...
LOL. I have to laugh at God's funny sense of humor. Last night one of my best friends was over at my house and I grabbed a folder with a stack of papers that I had to fill out by this morning for a doctor's appointment that I will be going to in a few hours. A few moments before I sat down, I looked down and saw the doctor's name I had written on the folder earlier yesterday morning. At that moment, I thought, "wow...oh my gosh...this guy's name is Dr. Battle." Coincidence...hmmm...I don't think so. It was at that moment that I showed the name to my friend and she said, "Are you serious?" We both then just laughed!
We laughed because God had been speaking to us about War and Battle (hence, the name of my last post). And this morning, I thought it was appropriate to share with you. I love what one of my sister's drink coasters says, "Coincidences are God's way of being anonymous."
I don't think that it was a coincidence that God gave me the scripture during my quiet time this morning...4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)...Paul is telling us what we have available to use the, "mighty weapons" (e.g. prayer, faith, hope, love) God has given us, to battle the enemies "strongholds" (e.g. in my case...thoughts that I will not be healed and that this cancer will continue to grow...which is a "false argument" in my mind).
Any thoughts or words spoken over you that are negative and against what God has to say...don't use your own reasoning as to why they might be right...and don't allow pride or negative thoughts to rule over you and your mind. Do NOT allow them to take control over you!
These weapons that Paul speaks of also allow you to not only combat the weapons that are formed against you, but also allows you to combat for others and use these weapons to break down the proud human arguments against God and the wall that the enemy builds to keep people from finding God.
My main purpose for living here on this earth is to glorify God...and however, He needs to use ME to glorify Him. I am willing to allow Him to do this in whatever way is necessary. At this moment in time...you are reading this post...not because I forced you to, but because of your own free will. Therefore, God is using this blog to allow me to use my "weapons (prayer and faith)" so that those that are reading this and don't know God or those that have as 2 Corinithians 5 says, "proud arguments that keep people from knowing God" can come to know Christ for who He truly is. He is a God that makes and keeps promises, a God that builds you and encourages your heart (especially in the times that you are down), He is a loving and faithful God...whose purpose is to love those whom He created.
I pray that as you continue to read and keep up with this blog that it inspires you to reach out to others and share this message of hope with them. May God bring a "Dr. Battle" to help you fight against the wars in your life!
---Con Amor, Tina
We laughed because God had been speaking to us about War and Battle (hence, the name of my last post). And this morning, I thought it was appropriate to share with you. I love what one of my sister's drink coasters says, "Coincidences are God's way of being anonymous."
I don't think that it was a coincidence that God gave me the scripture during my quiet time this morning...4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)...Paul is telling us what we have available to use the, "mighty weapons" (e.g. prayer, faith, hope, love) God has given us, to battle the enemies "strongholds" (e.g. in my case...thoughts that I will not be healed and that this cancer will continue to grow...which is a "false argument" in my mind).
Any thoughts or words spoken over you that are negative and against what God has to say...don't use your own reasoning as to why they might be right...and don't allow pride or negative thoughts to rule over you and your mind. Do NOT allow them to take control over you!
These weapons that Paul speaks of also allow you to not only combat the weapons that are formed against you, but also allows you to combat for others and use these weapons to break down the proud human arguments against God and the wall that the enemy builds to keep people from finding God.
My main purpose for living here on this earth is to glorify God...and however, He needs to use ME to glorify Him. I am willing to allow Him to do this in whatever way is necessary. At this moment in time...you are reading this post...not because I forced you to, but because of your own free will. Therefore, God is using this blog to allow me to use my "weapons (prayer and faith)" so that those that are reading this and don't know God or those that have as 2 Corinithians 5 says, "proud arguments that keep people from knowing God" can come to know Christ for who He truly is. He is a God that makes and keeps promises, a God that builds you and encourages your heart (especially in the times that you are down), He is a loving and faithful God...whose purpose is to love those whom He created.
I pray that as you continue to read and keep up with this blog that it inspires you to reach out to others and share this message of hope with them. May God bring a "Dr. Battle" to help you fight against the wars in your life!
---Con Amor, Tina
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Mighty Weapon of Warfare...Prayer
Yesterday God gave me the following scripture...14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. (James 5: 14-15). I felt called to action. I felt the Lord asking me to ask his people to pray over me, but only those who have the faith to believe that I will be healed.
So I call out to those who believe and are in agreement with me, that I am healed of cancer. I thank the Lord for the mighty men and women standing in the gap for us in prayer. For those who have been praying, are praying, and will continue to pray for us. I thank the Lord for our church family that have come together to pray with and for me. For YOU are the ones who God is truly using to heal me. I am just the messenger who is being obedient and asking for your help.
Therefore, I call out to you mighty warriors to stand with me in this battle to fight against my enemy (cancer). Stand strong in God's word and know that He is listening to your prayers. Wait in hopeful expectation to see the fruit of your labor, for it is now in my Daddy's hands to heal me. But it is through your faithful prayers that He will work through.
Stand strong today and believe that whatever you ask of God in faith...and it is His will...then it shall be given unto you. I love you all. Thank you for your encouragement and support. You'll never know how much this truly means to us!
So I call out to those who believe and are in agreement with me, that I am healed of cancer. I thank the Lord for the mighty men and women standing in the gap for us in prayer. For those who have been praying, are praying, and will continue to pray for us. I thank the Lord for our church family that have come together to pray with and for me. For YOU are the ones who God is truly using to heal me. I am just the messenger who is being obedient and asking for your help.
Therefore, I call out to you mighty warriors to stand with me in this battle to fight against my enemy (cancer). Stand strong in God's word and know that He is listening to your prayers. Wait in hopeful expectation to see the fruit of your labor, for it is now in my Daddy's hands to heal me. But it is through your faithful prayers that He will work through.
Stand strong today and believe that whatever you ask of God in faith...and it is His will...then it shall be given unto you. I love you all. Thank you for your encouragement and support. You'll never know how much this truly means to us!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
CHAPTER 2...THE WAR MODE
God has begun the second chapter of our journey (you know there always has to be more than one chapter in a book...if there wasn't...what kind of book would that be?) :) As some of you know about two weeks ago, we heard from our neurooncologist the news that they had seen a "progression" in the cells of my brain. Basically to sum it all up...they were telling us that the cancer was back.
Now I should mention that about five months ago, God began speaking to me through the devotionals and scriptures that I had been reading, that a "war" (battle) was coming. Many of the scriptures spoke of the different people and the battles they were in. Truthfully, I wasn't really sure what was coming or what it all meant. I thought perhaps that with Aaron and I training for this half-marathon, in January, that there would be mental and physical battles (e.g. tiredness, knee injuries, etc.) that would come our way. One of the devotionals that I read during that period of time, spoke of this author battling cancer and how she and her husband prayed and believed that after chemo and radiation, that she would Immediately be healed. Day in and day out they prayed...one, two, three days, a week, two weeks, and a month passed by...and no healing occurred. She asked, "Why was God silent? We did what the Bible told us to do." But there was still no healing in her body. Later she had to have a bone marrow transplant and was believing in faith that she would be healed. After 85 long days of going for blood tests, etc she still wasn't healed. After 125 days she was released to go home and still wasn't healed, but her blood counts seemed to be going in the right direction. After her experiences she learned to understand the sound of God's silence. She began to realize that what she wanted wasn't always what God wanted for her life. Towards the end of the devotional she says "through this searching for what to do when God is silent in our lives, we went back to John 11:4." This verse says: "This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it." In that moment I truly felt God telling me (before our June 2010 check-up) that whatever happened He would not allow me to die from this disease. In June, we went to our check-up (with me silently thinking...I just know he is going to tell me that my cancer is back), but to my suprise he told us all looked fine and well. In the back of my mind, I thought maybe I was reading you all wrong Lord?, but after that I just let it go and moved on and was happy about our great news.
That all brings us up to our 3 month check-up on September 7th. After all the chit chat and talking...he tells us about the cancer coming back. I knew then that IT (the war against the cancer) was coming...I will be real with you and tell you that my first thought was "...again." But then God reminded me...I got you through this last one...I will get you through this one too. The doctor then gave us the option of chemo or radiation, but when we asked him what he would choose...he said chemo. We told him that we would pray and think about it and get back to him on our decision. Finally, Wednesday (one full day later) after much thought and prayer we decided to go with radiation, despite his recommendation. His nurse let us know that she would send in the consultation to the radiation department and they would call us early the next week. After waiting until Thursday of the next week...I called to check on the status of everything and the lady on the line says that my doctor's nurse had been out all week and wouldn't return until the next Monday, but said she would look into it. She called me back later and mentions for some unknown reason my paperwork was misplaced and was caught up in the financial department, but that she had taken care of it and the radiation department should be calling me. That evening I went to a nutrition class with my friend and they just so happened to be talking about cancer and alternative, natural therapies to combat it. After the class and much prayer, thought, research, prayer, research, thought, research, research, and prayer, we thought about what God was truly speaking to our hearts about what treatment I should go through for this annoying little thing in my head (that thinks it can just take over) :) . LOL. Aaron and I decided against our original decision, of radiation, and have decided to try natural, alternative therapies.
Now that I have caught you all up to date...I have to say I don't think that it was a coincidence that this morning out of nowhere I happened to find THE notecard that I had written the scripture that one of my best friends shared with me when "My war" began with this brain tumor in February 2009. In case you don't recall it or you have just began reading this blog...it was 2 Cor I: 8-11 and it reads like this"8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety."
When I read this entry it reminded me of God's faithfulness of bringing me through this past battle of my brain surgery and how God was faithful to have rescued me from "mortal danger (my near death experience)" and how he will rescue me again and again and again. This scripture assures me that I will live through this disease...no matter how many battles I have to go through...the victory HAS BEEN WON!
I read a devotional called "The War Mode," the morning after we made our decision about trying alternative/natural therapies to battle this cancer,it truly gave me a final peace about our decision.
The devotional spoke about a guy's experience when he was a senior in highschool and how, even though he wasn't a confrontational guy, he found himself in a situation where a guy came after him and began attacking him. The guy "quickly realized that if the attack was going to end, it would be because I put my whole heart into fighting back." After reading this devotional, it made me accept that I have no choice right now but to fight. Instead of being fearful (which was my initial thought and reaction) that I have to put my whole energy into fighting this enemy called cancer.
This is where the "war mode" begins. It's amazing to me what God has put inside of us and how he has given us this amazing and supernatural grace over our lives, but we have to choose to accept it. Once we accept this grace, it is then that we can discover what we can truly go through. Once we surrender our hearts, minds, and soul to God, we can find God's grace annointing us to fight the fight of faith...and the fight of our lives.
So I say to you today...keep your eyes focused on God and His word...take spiritual authority over your life and speak the Word of God with faith...switch yourself into the "war mode" so that your life will forever change. Don't be complacent, but stand up and fight the good fight...and watch the amazing things that God will do in your life (and mine).
I love you all dearly and pray that your day is as awesome as my day has begun...with inspiration and the spirit to fight against all that will try and come against you today and the days to come!!! --Con Mucho Amor, Tina
Now I should mention that about five months ago, God began speaking to me through the devotionals and scriptures that I had been reading, that a "war" (battle) was coming. Many of the scriptures spoke of the different people and the battles they were in. Truthfully, I wasn't really sure what was coming or what it all meant. I thought perhaps that with Aaron and I training for this half-marathon, in January, that there would be mental and physical battles (e.g. tiredness, knee injuries, etc.) that would come our way. One of the devotionals that I read during that period of time, spoke of this author battling cancer and how she and her husband prayed and believed that after chemo and radiation, that she would Immediately be healed. Day in and day out they prayed...one, two, three days, a week, two weeks, and a month passed by...and no healing occurred. She asked, "Why was God silent? We did what the Bible told us to do." But there was still no healing in her body. Later she had to have a bone marrow transplant and was believing in faith that she would be healed. After 85 long days of going for blood tests, etc she still wasn't healed. After 125 days she was released to go home and still wasn't healed, but her blood counts seemed to be going in the right direction. After her experiences she learned to understand the sound of God's silence. She began to realize that what she wanted wasn't always what God wanted for her life. Towards the end of the devotional she says "through this searching for what to do when God is silent in our lives, we went back to John 11:4." This verse says: "This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God's glory so that God's son may be glorified through it." In that moment I truly felt God telling me (before our June 2010 check-up) that whatever happened He would not allow me to die from this disease. In June, we went to our check-up (with me silently thinking...I just know he is going to tell me that my cancer is back), but to my suprise he told us all looked fine and well. In the back of my mind, I thought maybe I was reading you all wrong Lord?, but after that I just let it go and moved on and was happy about our great news.
That all brings us up to our 3 month check-up on September 7th. After all the chit chat and talking...he tells us about the cancer coming back. I knew then that IT (the war against the cancer) was coming...I will be real with you and tell you that my first thought was "...again." But then God reminded me...I got you through this last one...I will get you through this one too. The doctor then gave us the option of chemo or radiation, but when we asked him what he would choose...he said chemo. We told him that we would pray and think about it and get back to him on our decision. Finally, Wednesday (one full day later) after much thought and prayer we decided to go with radiation, despite his recommendation. His nurse let us know that she would send in the consultation to the radiation department and they would call us early the next week. After waiting until Thursday of the next week...I called to check on the status of everything and the lady on the line says that my doctor's nurse had been out all week and wouldn't return until the next Monday, but said she would look into it. She called me back later and mentions for some unknown reason my paperwork was misplaced and was caught up in the financial department, but that she had taken care of it and the radiation department should be calling me. That evening I went to a nutrition class with my friend and they just so happened to be talking about cancer and alternative, natural therapies to combat it. After the class and much prayer, thought, research, prayer, research, thought, research, research, and prayer, we thought about what God was truly speaking to our hearts about what treatment I should go through for this annoying little thing in my head (that thinks it can just take over) :) . LOL. Aaron and I decided against our original decision, of radiation, and have decided to try natural, alternative therapies.
Now that I have caught you all up to date...I have to say I don't think that it was a coincidence that this morning out of nowhere I happened to find THE notecard that I had written the scripture that one of my best friends shared with me when "My war" began with this brain tumor in February 2009. In case you don't recall it or you have just began reading this blog...it was 2 Cor I: 8-11 and it reads like this"8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,[a] about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety."
When I read this entry it reminded me of God's faithfulness of bringing me through this past battle of my brain surgery and how God was faithful to have rescued me from "mortal danger (my near death experience)" and how he will rescue me again and again and again. This scripture assures me that I will live through this disease...no matter how many battles I have to go through...the victory HAS BEEN WON!
I read a devotional called "The War Mode," the morning after we made our decision about trying alternative/natural therapies to battle this cancer,it truly gave me a final peace about our decision.
The devotional spoke about a guy's experience when he was a senior in highschool and how, even though he wasn't a confrontational guy, he found himself in a situation where a guy came after him and began attacking him. The guy "quickly realized that if the attack was going to end, it would be because I put my whole heart into fighting back." After reading this devotional, it made me accept that I have no choice right now but to fight. Instead of being fearful (which was my initial thought and reaction) that I have to put my whole energy into fighting this enemy called cancer.
This is where the "war mode" begins. It's amazing to me what God has put inside of us and how he has given us this amazing and supernatural grace over our lives, but we have to choose to accept it. Once we accept this grace, it is then that we can discover what we can truly go through. Once we surrender our hearts, minds, and soul to God, we can find God's grace annointing us to fight the fight of faith...and the fight of our lives.
So I say to you today...keep your eyes focused on God and His word...take spiritual authority over your life and speak the Word of God with faith...switch yourself into the "war mode" so that your life will forever change. Don't be complacent, but stand up and fight the good fight...and watch the amazing things that God will do in your life (and mine).
I love you all dearly and pray that your day is as awesome as my day has begun...with inspiration and the spirit to fight against all that will try and come against you today and the days to come!!! --Con Mucho Amor, Tina
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A Whole Year and Counting...
WOW...today marks an entire year of being cancer free! Thank you Lord for the amazing journey you have taken us on. You are so faithful to ALWAYS be there.
It is so amazing how good my God is. At every moment, at every turn, at every step, at every beat of our hearts...God is with us. He opens our eyes to things unimaginable and to the things unseen. He fills our hearts and spirits with a grace and peace that surpasses all understanding. In our desolate and desperate moments when we feel like a barren wasteland, like we are laid waste on an open city street, and when our whole body is injured and afflicted...our GOD is ALWAYS there!
When we trust in Him, he promises us restoration, a dwelling in which we will find refuge, and to always be a present help in our time of need. The journey of this past year has been one of tremendous trust and faith in our God. He has brought us THROUGH a path that we would have never chosen on our own and has been amazingly faithful every single moment of the way...even the moments in which we felt like we were hanging at the edge of a cliff by a single finger before falling...God was there to lift us back up and say "don't worry, I AM here."
I am ever so grateful to be alive and to be a glorious testimony of my Father God's truth and unshakeable word. For every promise that His word says...remember that He WILL honor it.. For today I can say...I am living proof...a MIRACLE of God's miraculous healing power.
Here's to many more years of living...
In His Grace. Tina.
It is so amazing how good my God is. At every moment, at every turn, at every step, at every beat of our hearts...God is with us. He opens our eyes to things unimaginable and to the things unseen. He fills our hearts and spirits with a grace and peace that surpasses all understanding. In our desolate and desperate moments when we feel like a barren wasteland, like we are laid waste on an open city street, and when our whole body is injured and afflicted...our GOD is ALWAYS there!
When we trust in Him, he promises us restoration, a dwelling in which we will find refuge, and to always be a present help in our time of need. The journey of this past year has been one of tremendous trust and faith in our God. He has brought us THROUGH a path that we would have never chosen on our own and has been amazingly faithful every single moment of the way...even the moments in which we felt like we were hanging at the edge of a cliff by a single finger before falling...God was there to lift us back up and say "don't worry, I AM here."
I am ever so grateful to be alive and to be a glorious testimony of my Father God's truth and unshakeable word. For every promise that His word says...remember that He WILL honor it.. For today I can say...I am living proof...a MIRACLE of God's miraculous healing power.
Here's to many more years of living...
In His Grace. Tina.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Perspective...
It has been way too long since I have blogged on our site. So many things, appointments, work, etc. seem to be more of a priority above my writing. Which has made me think lately...Tina where are your priorities? Are they where they need to be? Where God wants them to be?
I think that sometimes our priorities are where they need to be, but at other times the focus is not quite where it should be. I have to ask myself day in and day out...is this where "I" want to be or where GOD wants me to be. Over the past few months I have tried to make it a priority to pray specifically that wherever I am at and whatever I am doing that God use me in some way whether big or small to make a difference in someone else's life. Even though we don't always immediately see what difference we are making in the lives of those around us...know that you are planting seeds in others' lives. There is always a time for planting, watering, and seeing the harvest of the seeds you have planted. Whether for good or bad you are always planting seeds.
What types of seeds are you planting?
Speaking of planting...for those of you who have been praying for us...know that your seeds have been very fruitful. God has been amazing this past year (Can you believe it has been a full year since I was diagnosed with the brain tumor?)! On March 3rd it will be one year since I have been tumor/cancer free!!!!! This past week I went for my regular 3 month scan and we received the great news of being free of cancer. Praise God for his goodness!!!
On that note, today, I was speaking with a coworker whose high school coach was diagnosed with Sarcoma (a type of cancer that encompasses many forms of that cancer). I have been praying for him and his family over the past week or so since I heard the news and I asked how he was doing. At one point in the conversation, she stated that her and another one of our colleagues were talking about cancer and the colleague stated, "Why can't cancer just happen to bad people?"
I hesitated for a moment...thinking "yeah why can't cancer just happen to bad people." But then I said to her "then people wouldn't have a testimony to tell." We then continued our conversation about his situation and family. Please if you are reading this...pray for this coach and his family...I don't have permission to disclose his name so I will refrain from doing so, but I know that God will still hear your prayers.
After coming home from work I began to replay that conversation in my head and I began to meditate on "why it is that certain things happen to good people." In the end, it dawned on me...this life that God has given us isn't truly our own. We live this life unto Him (God) that gave it to us;therefore, everything that we do and everything that happens to us is for God's glory. The way I figure it, God says He uses all things for the good for those who believe in Him. And in my eyes...like Christy Nockels' song (Life Light Up) says..."whether I live or die may God be glorified." In some way or fashion when we go through the storms of life...there is always some good through that. And whether we see the good in our lifetime or not...we must have faith to believe that there is a big purpose of good through that storm. A grander purpose. And that life isn't just about us, but the bigger picture of God Himself being glorified.
Until next time...
I think that sometimes our priorities are where they need to be, but at other times the focus is not quite where it should be. I have to ask myself day in and day out...is this where "I" want to be or where GOD wants me to be. Over the past few months I have tried to make it a priority to pray specifically that wherever I am at and whatever I am doing that God use me in some way whether big or small to make a difference in someone else's life. Even though we don't always immediately see what difference we are making in the lives of those around us...know that you are planting seeds in others' lives. There is always a time for planting, watering, and seeing the harvest of the seeds you have planted. Whether for good or bad you are always planting seeds.
What types of seeds are you planting?
Speaking of planting...for those of you who have been praying for us...know that your seeds have been very fruitful. God has been amazing this past year (Can you believe it has been a full year since I was diagnosed with the brain tumor?)! On March 3rd it will be one year since I have been tumor/cancer free!!!!! This past week I went for my regular 3 month scan and we received the great news of being free of cancer. Praise God for his goodness!!!
On that note, today, I was speaking with a coworker whose high school coach was diagnosed with Sarcoma (a type of cancer that encompasses many forms of that cancer). I have been praying for him and his family over the past week or so since I heard the news and I asked how he was doing. At one point in the conversation, she stated that her and another one of our colleagues were talking about cancer and the colleague stated, "Why can't cancer just happen to bad people?"
I hesitated for a moment...thinking "yeah why can't cancer just happen to bad people." But then I said to her "then people wouldn't have a testimony to tell." We then continued our conversation about his situation and family. Please if you are reading this...pray for this coach and his family...I don't have permission to disclose his name so I will refrain from doing so, but I know that God will still hear your prayers.
After coming home from work I began to replay that conversation in my head and I began to meditate on "why it is that certain things happen to good people." In the end, it dawned on me...this life that God has given us isn't truly our own. We live this life unto Him (God) that gave it to us;therefore, everything that we do and everything that happens to us is for God's glory. The way I figure it, God says He uses all things for the good for those who believe in Him. And in my eyes...like Christy Nockels' song (Life Light Up) says..."whether I live or die may God be glorified." In some way or fashion when we go through the storms of life...there is always some good through that. And whether we see the good in our lifetime or not...we must have faith to believe that there is a big purpose of good through that storm. A grander purpose. And that life isn't just about us, but the bigger picture of God Himself being glorified.
Until next time...
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