Category Archives: Devotionals

Jesus Grows

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The Bible has a lot of Promises that God has given us. So wonderful!. It’s especially interesting to learn how Jesus grew while He lived on earth. If Jesus grew that way, then we can grow that way in our faith. Grow in Jesus

Some people may like to pick a verse and memorize it. Or do a “deep dive” [study the verse]. What to do? Choose a verse you like. I choose a verse from Book of Luke.

Luke 2:52 “As Jesus grew taller, he continued to grow in wisdom. God was pleased with him and so were the people who knew him.” (ERV)

I ask myself what this verse mean? I break it down and take each part alone.

  1. Jesus grew taller, or physically, or healthy.
  2. Jesus grew in wisdom, and in knowledge.
  3. Jesus more and more pleased God, or spiritually.
  4. Jesus also pleased people, and earned their respect.

Jesus grew in all these ways when He lived on earth, so we can grow this way also.

How do I make this verse meaningful to me? For me this verse means:

God wants me to grow physically, so I can be healthy for Him. Right now I am having some problems dealing with cancer, but I want to be as healthy as I can and live for Him.

God wants me to grow in wisdom, to learn things for Him. God wants me to more and more please Him, grow spiritually. God wants me to also please people, by earning their respect.

By memorizing and studying this verse, I find God wants me to learn by growing in Him. Jesus grew physically. He became wise. He pleased God and people liked him. God wants me to be like Jesus. So I can grow in these four ways as Jesus did. All of it is to grow in Him. Grow our faith in Jesus.

You Have Cancer

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Psalm 16:8 “I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me.”  (ERV)

“You have cancer.” On August 30, 2018 I read those words on my doctor’s lips. It is cancer of Bone Marrow or Multiple Myeloma. Those words are hard to hear and accept. A friend of mine asked me:  “How did you find out?  Any symptoms? How did this happen?”

I had Anemia most of my life. Over the years, whenever I went to my family doctor for a six-month check-up, blood tests and lab tests were done.  These were checked by my doctor.  My doctor may then say to add some vitamins to help, or take another supplement. But when I went to my doctor in July, 2018, my doctor noticed I had a low blood cell count.  She was concerned about that so she wanted me to see a Specialist. a Hematologist is one who studies blood and bone marrow.  I started going to my Specialist in early August.  More blood tests! One time 11 vials were taken! Also a Bone Marrow Biopsy. That hurts! On August 30, blood tests and bone marrow biopsy results came in.  I was told that I have cancer of Bone Marrow or Myeloma. What’s that?  It affects the plasma cells of bone marrow. It can be anywhere in my body where my bones are! 

My Specialist set up a treatment plan for me.  It won’t be Chemo by infusion, but I do have to get a strong drug, that is injected into my body.  Usually in my stomach, and it is injected slowly.  I go two times a week, Tuesdays and Fridays.  Go for two weeks, and then I’m off one week.  At the end of two weeks, I talk to the doctor, so that it may be adjusted as I go along.  In addition to the Injections, I also take some pills to go along with the shots. The goal is for me to get into remission with this treatment. This means to make my cancer inactive. Why? Because there is no cure for this kind of cancer. I will always have it. 

This was my Doctor’s plan for treatment. But in my mind, I’m still hearing the words, you have cancer!  That is hard to accept.

So far I’ve gone through the first two weeks of treatment. And take all the pills too. Going to the Room where I get the ”shots” is humbling and mind boggling.  I’ve gone to two offices; one office has room for about 10 patients, and the other office has room for about 20 patients.  All these people have cancer, of one kind or another,  They are either getting blood tests, infusion, chemo or shots, like me. More people to pray for! My treatments have side effects. One side effect is to make me feel tired all the time.

Psalm 62:1 “I must calm down and turn to God, only He can rescue me.” (ERV)

When I go for my “shots” I’m a little nervous! I realize some friends, as well as my brother, and my husband, and cousin have gone through cancer treatments.  So I now understand more what they have gone through.

I am very thankful for you, my friends and my family who are praying for me, and my  husband for his wonderful support. I’m learning to trust God more, no matter what happens.  So thank you so much for your prayers.

Father’s Day 2018

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Ecclesiastes 3:4 “There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh. There is a time to be sad, and a time to dance from joy.” (EVD)

June has a special day to remember Fathers; June 17, 2018 is Father’s Day. A day to honor and celebrate and remember our fathers. Some of you are fathers. Great! Some of your fathers are still living. Wonderful! What a blessing! Some fathers may have passed away, but they still live in our hearts and memories. They will always be a part of us.

My father enjoyed listening to music. He liked the Lawrence Welk TV show! He listened to polka music on the radio. That was HIS music, and it made him happy. At family weddings, he enjoyed dancing to the polka music. If I was nearby, he would take me as his partner and off we would go! He liked spinning around so fast at times, I almost felt dizzy. I would hold on and when I might start feeling dizzy, he would guide our dance straight so I could get my bearings, before spinning about again. He enjoyed dancing the polka.

I remember one wedding my father and I attended. My mother was not feeling well so she stayed home. Dad and I planned to go to the wedding and reception but not stay long. We were ready to leave, but the music started to play a polka! My Dad wanted to dance! With a twinkle in his eye he grabbed me and away we were dancing. When it came to the polka dance, it was like Dad gotta dance!

It’s always been a favorite memory of mine, dancing the polka with my Dad. I pray you all have fond memories of your Dad as well.

Happy Mother’s Day 2018

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I’m sure you all have memories of your Mother.  Some Mothers are still living.  Wonderful!  Some of you are Mothers.  Great!  Some of your Mothers are no longer living, but they live in your hearts.  I miss my Mom but I’m happy for the times that I had with her.

My Mother was fond of phrases.  I’m not sure why but she liked them:  

  • “A watched pot never boils.”
  • “Haste makes waste.”
  • “We grow too soon old and too late smart.”

It’s funny. Now I can’t really remember any particular phrase that my Mother really liked.  It’s just when a situation comes up, I think about what Mom would say!  Then I think, oh my! I’m turning into my Mom.  But that’s ok.

My Mom read somewhere that the best gifts that you can give your children are Roots and Wings.  That makes one pause and think about it.  

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Many Rooms

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I remember when I was  very young, thinking that the bedroom my brother and I shared was huge! It had two beds for us and a big window. Our closet was also huge and there was even a “secret” passageway to our parent’s closet! Wow! But, I’d be the first to admit that perceptions of my boyhood when it came to size of rooms are not the same today as a grown man.

John 14:2 “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (ERV)

I was curious about the number of rooms for the Father’s house, a.k.a. New Jerusalem or City of God. Why? Jesus promised many rooms would be prepared. I wondered how many believers/rooms would fit? So I converted the Bible’s measurements to modern day’s measurements and then calculated the cubic volume and used New York City as an example for population density. Although I am only speculating, the number I came up with was astounding.

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Deaf or Blind?

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interpreter

ASL for “interpreter”

I was fortunate not to be cursed to my face for being deaf or hearing-impaired. Still, I know I require more patience than usual from hearing people. I can’t help it, but because of my hearing loss, I am more aware of and dependent on body language. People may say the right words, but their body language will usually reveal true feelings.

Many years ago when I was young, I was confronted by a hearing person. The boy was a known trouble-maker, and he was looking for trouble. He swore at me, but I was unfazed by his speech. I could see from his body language he did not mean well. But, at that time I did not know any swear words and I stood there puzzled. He was not getting the expected reaction from me. When he found out I did not know, he thought it funny. Because of that, his anger was deflected from me, and I escaped to live another day.

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Tithing

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Tithing? What’s that? Who does Tithing? Why should we tithe? Is that really in the Bible?

Malachi 3:10 ‘The Lord All-Powerful says, “Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put them in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me! If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything.”’ (ERV)

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Influence

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Our family lived in Philadelphia in a big, old house. I was in second grade when I got my first hearing aid. It was so big my mother had to sew pockets inside all my t-shirts to hold it. It came with a 3-wire cord that connected the body piece in my pocket with a small earplug in my ear. It whistled a lot, the result of frequent feedback. But I was a proud owner and kids in my class at school all wanted to see it. I felt acceptance as to who I was. It was a time of innocence for schools and children.

I remember being able to walk to school. School in those days were safe places. In those old days there was no need to worry about school violence. Why now? Fences are built around school buildings. Doors are locked, identification is needed. There is armed security and scanners. Our children are rightly scared of going to school. People argue about how to protect the schools and the best way to do so. What’s different about 2018 and the 1950’s and 1960’s when I was in school?

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Chess

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chesssets

Store display in Valleta, Malta

I discovered chess when I was in high school. It was in math class where I saw fellow classmates playing chess during break time. I knew of chess, the game, but did not play. But, because those playing chess were the whiz-kids, I got to thinking if I could play the game I would know if I could even beat them in the game. Chess did not require having good hearing.

I bought a book about how to play chess and read it from cover to cover. I applied myself to study the game and understand the rules. When it began to make sense to me I went back to that math class and when an opportunity presented itself, I asked if I could play. After defeating them all, I felt, for the first time, that I had some worth or capability. This is because school was always a struggle for me, being hearing-impaired, and I did not have good grades. No one would have thought I could beat those math-whiz kids in chess. Continue reading →