Faith over fear in cancer

My brother-in-law has cancer. He's only about 30 years old. Actually, he first discovered that he had melanoma (skin cancer) in 1998. But the doctors caught it early and he was able to have surgery done to get it removed. He recently noticed a couple of lumps, went to the doctor, and found out that the cancer had metastasized.

My brother-in-law is not a Christian. Often God puts us through very difficult times to help us surrender to Him. That may be the case with my brother-in-law. Hopefully he will find Christ -- please pray for him. . .

God's role in a college choice

Many factors go into choosing which college to attend. . .location, distance from home, excellence in one's area of study, opportunities for fun. . . For Lamarr Houston, his decision about going to Texas for college was heavily based on God:

'I talked and prayed with my family,' said Houston, 'and God spoke to me and told me that I should go there.'

Houston has been very successful at Texas. He plays on the football team, and has started every game at defensive end. (Colorado Springs Gazette)

Growing weary of my warrior journey. . .

In September I wrote about a journey that I'm currently on called "The Heart of a Warrior." When I started "The Heart of the Warrior" curriculum, I knew that it wouldn't be a walk in the park. But I'm growing weary. I really don't like analyzing myself -- especially my shortcomings. I know that this type of analysis is what's needed for me to change, to be more like God, and to get rid of my old self.

I feel like Satan has really stepped up his attacks since I started "The Heart of the Warrior." It's not surprising. Instead of living my life on autopilot and floating along with the wind where Satan has influence, I'm changing to be a firm Christian. And he's putting up resistance.

But I'm not going to give up.

Our real father

As we get together with our families of origin for Christmas, many of us go to those gatherings with too high of expectations. We expect that this time our siblings will finally respect us, people will be rid of their old habits, and that our family will be as harmonious as the Cleavers.

For me, I always seem to go into holiday gatherings with the expectation that my stepdad will finally accept me and love me. I'm always let down. I'm asking too much of him.

Most of us are expecting too much from our earthly fathers and our families of origin. The only perfect father is God. He loves us completely. He is our real father -- the one we have been looking for all along.

The "Merry Christmas" movement

It's almost Christmas. . .and there seems to be a movement underway to get back to "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Wal-Mart is using the word Christmas in advertising and stores again after substituting the word "holiday" for Christmas two years ago.

And a YouTube video of the Go Fish song "Christmas with a Capital C" is getting millions of views. It's great to see people back to understanding (and promoting) the reason for this season.

Using our gifts to further God's kingdom

We are called to use the unique gifts that God gave us to further His kingdom -- whether it's writing about God, playing bass on the church worship team, or constructing powerful radio transmitters. I guess that last gift was pretty specific to John Lin, a civil engineer who, along with his wife Florence, helped the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) broadcast God's Word to China.

According to France's Journal Chretien, even John Lin put up resistance to God's calling:

At the same time, they also met Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) workers on the island constructing a powerful radio transmitter to reach China.

As they got acquainted with their new friends, they learned the FEBC workers had been praying to find a civil engineer. John and Florence started praying as well, until one day God spoke to John’s heart.

'Why are you praying ?' John felt the Lord say. 'Aren’t you a civil engineer ?'

Like Jonah and countless other leaders called by God, John had many excuses to avoid the Lord’s prompting. First, he had the mistaken notion that only Caucasians could be missionaries. He also knew he would face opposition from his family, and he was deterred by the prospect of raising financial support.

As he and Florence began to pray, God answered every one of his objections. And Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, heard about the talented young civil engineer and his wife and arranged for their financial support.

God is persistent. He will find a way for us to continue His path and His will, and we have a responsibility to use our gifts to further His kingdom.

An Oprah-Mother Teresa-Energizer Bunny woman helps the Dallas homeless

The Dallas Morning News describes Susie Jennings, a nurse at Baylor University Medical Center, as "Oprah, Mother Teresa and the Energizer Bunny all fused into one."

And that's what she is to the Dallas-area homeless. Four years ago, Jennings started an event called Operation Care Dallas. The event, held at the Dallas Convention Center, attracts thousands of the city's poorest. At Operation Care Dallas, the homeless receive a hot meal plus much, much more -- they also get haircuts, makeovers, medical and dental checkups, legal help and job assistance.

According to The Dallas Morning News, her devotion to helping the homeless stems from God:

Last month, Ms. Jennings elevated her connection with the homeless by disguising herself and spending an entire night in a shelter at the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas.

She was driven to do so, she said, because God spoke to her. Her calling revealed hardships foreign to most: sleeping on cold concrete, scrounging for cardboard, being propositioned for sex, relying on the church for every meal.

It takes 2,000 volunteers, an estimated $100,000, and a very dedicated Susie Jennings to ensure that Operation Care Dallas takes place.