It seems as if cancer is surrounding people I love and am close to. The latest person that cancer has hit home with is Jordyn DeLaTorre. This young lady is 7 yrs old - WOW!! I know her father - Coach DeLaTorre! It pains me so to know that their family is going through this right now. Its as real as it gets for them. She had pain in her belly this past Monday, then her family and her were told she has cancer of the kidney, then on Wednesday she had surgery to remove the kidney and the 4lb tumor that went with it - Stage 4 Cancer!! Then just yesterday the family found out that this beast we call cancer had spread to her small lungs and into her lymph nodes. Please pray for this family as they face this beast head on with courage and faith! Give the Doctors a supernatural wisdom to conquer this bully that wages war in her body and defeat it, just like Goliath was defeated by stones in a sling shot aimed precisely by David! Give Jordyn a "David" in her life right now to defeat this giant.
Just a little over a year ago cancer struck in the form of brain cancer to sweet lil Kate McCrae - her journey has been followed by thousands - even Dr. Phil. Yes, Kate just recently started kindergarten that she should have started last yr. Kate was able to start kindergarten this year because of a God who does answer prayers! Our pastor at Cornerston - Aaron McCrae and his wife held fast to the idea that prayer and that of many others is what would bring Kate through. Even if Kate did not pull through, still the McCrae family gave it up to God to decide and were prepared for the loss of their daughter in so much as one can be prepared for that! I marveled at Kate's resilience. I loved Kates smiles and some of the perky lil answers she gave to her parents and Dr. Phil about her illness. If I remember correctly she had said she was not afraid to die and that Jesus was always there with her. WOW!!! What powerful and remarkable words from a 5/6 year old girl. I love her testimony and that of her parents. I am sure that when I get to Heaven and join my daughter, Stephanie and my Dad....we will be sure to see Kate and her parents some day. Then I wonder - how about you?
Salvation is a free gift and yet why do so many procrastinate in receiving this free gift? Are you like I was until August 8th of this year and was just being a fake christian? That way you can still have your lifestyle of sin and proclaim you are a Christian and be forgiven....but eventually, sooner rather than later, you will come to that stark realization that your life was a sham. I hope it is at that time you claim your stake in the kingdom of Heaven! You don't need money to get into Heavens gate, else I would still be standing at the gate with my penny jar - lol! No, what you need is a realization of your sins as Romans 3:23 tells us "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" .... yup that "all" includes you and me! Now we know we are all sinners but don't be glum because here is a great surprise ... there is a way out of your one way ticket to hell. The verse in Romans 6:23 explains "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." God sent His son, Jesus into the world as an example for how we are to live our lives as christians, then His ultimate sacrifice was the willing death of Jesus on the cross...John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave HIS only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. We can't get to Heaven through our good works because it is a gift freely given - no one can accept it for you - you need to come before God and tell Him how you desire to have that gift and to be a part of HIS kingdom. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast." It is your own personal faith in Jesus Christ that makes your salvation story, not that of your parents or siblings ( I went for years counting on the salvation of my parents - does not work!!) ... the ball is in your court on this one - Come on and make that slam dunk!!! For I certainly want to see YOU in Heaven with me. Then when you have made that committment to Christ - next step is your personal growth - do I have all the answers??? NO way!! So get into a good Bible believing church that can help you in your growth in Christ. Fellowship with other believers. You will be amazed at how quickly your sinful lifestyle becomes unappealing to you and you so desire to follow Gods will for your life. Dig in to the Word of God and find other Christian friends who will come along side you in your growth - believe it or not - you, too will be helping them grow and mature in Christ, and find a good fundamental, Bible believing church. Let me know and maybe I can help you find a church in your area to try. Some excellent resources for growth are odb.org which is Our Daily Bread - gives you scripture to read and a short devotional that will inspire you. There is also insight.org which is the websight for Insight For Living with Chuck Swindoll (One of my personal favorite authors!) and you can find a devotional each day and also a radio broadcast that you can listen to. The website will also allow you to browse through past broadcasts ...right now Chuck is in Romans chapter 12 but I would suggest to you to start at the beginning of Romans. I don't claim to know everything nor am I perfect in my Christian walk but I really want to not only have times on earth to share with you but also I want to chill with you in Heaven!!!
Always Smilin',
Dianne
Phil 4:13
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