2John1:6 says And this is love; that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
I often think about the time when Jesus lived. Everyone walked. It was the mode of transportation. Walking. Walking far. Scripture talks of walking in faith, walking in obedience, walking in truth, and walking in love. I'm thinking walking was real big back then. I'm not quite sure why I've been so compelled to walk for a cause as breast cancer but I've definitely been called.
To walk in a 3-day walk not only are you committed to walking 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), 20 miles each day, and sleeping in tents, using portajohns, and showering in semi-trucks.... but you must commit to raising $2,200 for the cause....And they enforce this by having you give them your Visa # so if you fail to raise that money they charge it to your card! You MUST train vigorously for this walk as walking 60 miles is alot of miles. I should know...I've done 3 of them....
I said I'd never do it again. And then the day after my third walk I met Lisa. Walking at my sons football field with her hair growing in from chemo. You all know what an amazing, inspiring woman that she is from all I have said. I told her that day I said I'd never do this again, but after meeting her that day I said "Well, I guess I'm walking again!" And so I walk. Walking is good. One would be amazed at how far the body can walk. 60 miles! That's alot....I wonder how far Jesus walked. I bet no place was too far to save someone. To tell them the news. To heal. To turn water to wine. To clothe. I guess that's how I feel. 60 miles is alot. But not to far to stop cancer from taking one more mother away from her children, or one more wife from her husband, or one more daughter from her mother.
Walking is good. Walking gives you time to think. Time to pray. Time to appreciate. Appreciate our bodies for all they are capable of. For all of the beauty in God's creation. Time to reflect. Even if you walk with someone, when you walk 10-15 even 20 miles, most of us don't want to talk all of that time.....you need to crawl inside of yourself and reflect. God shows us things.... Sometimes good things, things to appreciate, be grateful for, but sometimes things to change. Things he is not so pleased with.
I never thought I'd be excited about walking 60 miles since my first 3-day but I am truly excited for all that the Lord has to show me. I will think of Him every step I take and every mile that I walk. I truly cannot imagine how I would have gotten through some of the toughest times of my life if He was not walking beside me.....Won't you ask Him to walk with you?
40 comments:
Forgiven Daughter,
Some good thoughts about walking :)
Walking in faith is a good thing, there's no doubt about it.
Because one day, as Jesus was walking along the road, there was a blind man, named Bartimaeus. When he found out it was Jesus, that was walking by, he yelled out, to Jesus. Faith always demands a response! And you know the rest of the story. He received from the Lord. It makes me wonder how many Blind people that were present that day, that didn't use their faith, and as a result, didn't receive their sight?
Faith voices its desires to God. It isn't silent or passive. It demands to be heard in the courts of Heaven.
Anyway, just a few thoughts, this Sunday evening.
God bless you as you do His will :)
Forgiven Daughter,
I just saw where, child of the King, was lead another way to pray for Lisa. That's what I will do, as well.
We'll have some wonderful discussions in Heaven, in that Cafe, one day soon, won't we?
Love you, and God bless!
Sue,
That post was beautiful! I am so encouraged by your words and strength! It is cold and windy out here this am, but I am going to walk and pray and think of you and all my blessings today! Thank you for the firecracker under my butt that I have needed for a while! God gave me you as my blessing today!
Love you!
Faith
marge and faith,
Writing here from Lisa's living room. Thanks so much for your words! You both mean the world to me and yes, soon and very soon, the cafe!
Forgiven Daughter,
Thank you always for your caring spirit and for all that you do for Lisa and her family.
Please let us know how she is doing.
Grace
Forgiven Daughter,
You do not know me, but I read Joels website daily and feel I know you Marge, child, kinder, dave et al....and have been praying for Lisa since I happened on Joel's sight. Kept wondering how others were seeing pics and such when happened to click on your name in blue (obviously not too computer savvy!) Whadaya know, your blog site! Anyway, your words are so encouraging. After this I am headed out for a long walk myself! My day has been filled with self centered sadness. Went to church this morning hoping to snap out of it with a word from God. Nothing. Listened to praise music. Nothing. Then happened on your blog site. God used it to minister his WORD to me. Just wanted you to know that God used you today!
Loved seeing the pics of Lisa. Wonderful to put a face with a name when praying, even though I know GOD KNOWS. She looks beautiful. Let her know some women in Texas is praying for her!!
Let her know I TRULY care and that I will continue to pray for her family as well. Thanks for being a wonderful friend to Lisa. Your blog site is inspiring.
cam,
I am so touched by your words and lifted up that you were ministered to here! I like some of the other ladies from Joel's blog do not feel like the intellectual as many on his site. I love reading what all have to say, and am blessed by all of the info, sites, and articles shared by everyone. I started this blog to muse about so many things I have learned in the last 6 months or so knowing Lisa, and to keep some of the other ladies informed on Lisa without all of the Off-topic on Joel's site!
I am tickled that you are here. We REALLY chat up a storm and share prayer request at Child of the King's blog, so if you feel the need for a request or just to share your thoughts feel free here or over at Child's as ALOT of people chat there.
Hope your walk does you well! Know that I will keep you in prayer and that I love your heart and honesty too, my sister in Christ!
Forgiven Daughter,
Once I figured out the names in blue lead to blog sites I did find Childs blog and read it. I think it is wonderful how we ladies don't need any connection other than being women to share with and encourage one another. I might chime in if I get up the nerve. I feel somewhat like an interloper as of now.
Anyway, thanks for your encouragement!
Hi Sweetie!
Posted quite a longie on Child's site, but I did want to check in with you and let you know we're ok here. 55 degrees!! Praise God and my daffies and crocuses are trying to pop up! Spring is my favorite time of year, it is such a renewal of life!
Cam: Welcome in! We girls just love to chat and the more the merrier!
It is so nice out! I can't wait for the girls to get their homework done, so we can go for a walk. The neighbors horses are out and we may need to go visit!
Talk to you all soon!
God Bless!
Love,
Faith
cam,
Glad you figured it out....don't you ever feel like an 'interloper', girl! Like Faith said, the more the merrier! Plus, if you've read some of the stories,,, it's wonderful to feel like you are impacting people's life by our prayers lifted to heaven! When 2 or more are gathered in His name.....even over the internet!
Keep in touch!
Frogiven Daughter,
You have such a kind spirit!
I read about Lisa's downturn on Child's blog and I am praying that God really gives her peace though all of this. I pray that He touches her in such a way that she feels His comfort.
Did Lisa know the Lord before she found out about the cancer in November?
I have been praying for her husband too.
Bless you for all that you do.
Cam,
"Self-Centered sadness"....I have been there all day! Thank you for helping me identify it.
I need to just turn it over to Jesus, the one who promises that hw will finish this good work in me. I can trust Him to do it, I just keep trying to do it myself and fall all over myself.
Grace
Forgiven Daughter, and Ladies,
I just read a quote, from Richard Bach, that I felt lead to share here.
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the Master calls a butterfly." Richard Bach
I dunno. It just seemed to minister to me, and I wanted to share :)
Although, I do enjoy Joel's Blog, these personal Blogs, have provided much blessing, as well :)
Love to all, and God's best too!
Grace,
Happening on this web site that day helped me understand that while the thing that put me in that state of sadness was valid, me whallowing around in it to the detriment of my family was NOT!
I know what you mean about doing things yourself and in your own strength! My heart was so heavy that day and I was trying to reason things through with out all the facts. I finally just let go and asked God to fill the hole that I felt in my heart. He answered that prayer.. in His time. He used this website to do it. I know He will do the same for you.
Marge,
Thanks for the butterfly quote! I often feel that I am the caterpillar in the cocoon right now and I am going to emerge a butterfly some day. I just know God is doing that for me. For now I will be content as a caterpiller being shaped and formed!
Cammi
Forgiven,
Is that you're daughter with you in the picture for this post? I assume that's your son in the breathe post. Beautiful family! I know you have two other kids too.
I know that beauty on the inside is what counts but my goodness, God blessed you with both inside and out! Just sayin!
Marge,
I agree with the butterfly analogy...and I also feel like the caterpiller waiting to emerge from my cocoon as a butterfly! Glad to hear all is going well with mama and all those babies!
Cammi,
Thanks for relating to Grace. I too struggle with doing things in my own strength. I think its our humanity. I'm glad you were blessed here and at Child's. Yes, that's my son and 16 y.o. on Breathe, the girl with me in the walking photos is my 18 y.o. daughter who is in her first year of college. Thank you with the compliment. I always felt like an ugly duckling as a teen/young adult. I didn't quite feel comfortable in my own skin until in my thirties after I had my kids. I'll be 47 in a few weeks and my husband always says I'm blessed with good genetics... as long as I eat decent and keep up with the walking I stay in pretty good shape...plus I was almost 40 when I had my son! Crazy, eh?
Anyways I've got to post over on Child's about Lisa after we sit down to dinner. Isn't it great having such a great group of believers here? I mean even at church most people just don't want to talk about Jesus coming! Much less get EXCITED about it! I can't wait to meet at the cafe...you do know about it, right? I forget how long you've been on Joel's. It's LW's place he created in his mind in heaven at the corner of St. Peters street. Him and Dave have a menu going and supposedly big screens with HD! LOL!
Well gotta eat. Love ya my sister!
Forgiven,
I love the idea that even though we will probably not meet in person here, we will someday meet all those who we interact with on a daily basis in heaven! I had been reading Joel's sight for some time before I chimed in and the talk about the cafe was fun, didn't want to miss out on that one. A big screen is o.k.....as long as it's not too loud thereby interrupting the girl talk going on at our table. I can just hear Nate introducing his wife to everyone who prayed for her salvation......oh and Mommyjen introducing her husband and ofcourse I will show my kids who prayed for them too. Oh I am really excited now!!!!! Come Lord Jesus......well, come once they have all accepted. See that's what's so tuff about the rapture. There's always going to be someone who we want to accept Him as Saviour before He comes back for us. Pray for my boys! Thanks.
I will look for the Lisa update on Childs site. Have you been over there? She really shared her heart and testimony today.
Love You,
Cammi
Hi Cammi,
Yes I did get over to child's and left a blog over there myself. It's my sins that often cause me to have those "down" moments of regret! Thank the Lord they are as far as the east is from the west....but sometimes I wish I hadn't made some of those 'biggie' mistakes, you know? (refer to child's blog) But then it's those biggies that have shaped me to have a heart of seeing others and their struggles with certain areas that give me compassion instead of judgement.
I'm praying for your little ones...I hope you do not spend too much time in worry....They are still very little. When I work at my son's class I can see that he is 'older' than some of his classmates although he is the 'youngest' in age. He has 14, 16, and 18 y.o. sisters and is quite 'worldly' about alot of things. Most kids their age I'm really not sure they get it...even developementally they even struggle with death. In fact, Jaisen, Lisa's boy has been having quite a time understanding how sick she is. His dad recently used the analogy of how remember when our kitty got real sick and died? Jaisen responded "Will we be able to get another mommy?" Now is he just uncaring? No. He REALLY does not get it. And if you knew Jaisen you'd know he REALLY doesn't get it! So just do what you're doing. They are in our Father's hands being held ever so preciously for you. Sow your seed. Water it. And then IT WILL blossem and bear fruit!
I love you, too! You are beautiful!
Forgiven,
As you were spending time with Lisa, I was praying that God would annoint your time together and that the Holy Spirit would guide the conversations in her room. My heart cries for her family (and yours as I know they have become so special to you). My hope and prayer is that her death will lead to life (salvation)for her family. I only wish she could have the knowledge of that before she goes home! Thinking of you all constantly.
Be strong in the Lord.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cammi
Forgiven Daughter,
Lisa has been on my mind so much today and I pray that God gives her peace beyond her understanding. I really pray that He gives her the faith to just rest in His arms.
I pray that you lean on those arms too. There are so many scriptures about tears. I believe there is one that says that God puts our tears in a bottle. And in the end He will dry every tear.
I pray for Lisa's family too. Mostly that they would open their hearts to the Lord. May God give you just the right time and right words to say each of them during this time!
You have been such a shining example of a saint walking with Christ. Thank you for that.
Lord, please pour your peace and grace on my dear friend!
Grace
Forgiven Daughter --- I haven't felt this pressed to post about something since I started on Joel's site... but I commented at his epicenter site to you and wanted to make sue you knew. I know you will be very busy the next few weeks with all that is going on with Lisa. Please go and read (comment 115) at Joel's site.I won't type it all again and I don't want to distract you from your very important activities today. Know that I love you dearly and will be praying for your family and Lisa's.
Forgiven Daughter,
I woke up around 2ish this morning and prayers for Lisa and her family just started to pour from my lips. I too, ache that she would feel afraid.
I pray that she would feel the peace of God that passes all understanding.
I also pray that her family would see the goodness of God in the middle of tragedy and give their hearts to Him.
I pray for strength for you to get through all of and discernment to know what to do and say to her and her family and your children too.
Much love,
Grace
Forgiven Daughter,
I wrote a few min. ago, and the thing flew right into Cyberspace :) But, being as stubborn as I am, I am determined to continue, LOL.
First of all, my prayers are with you, along with many, many others, I realize.
The little book, Within Heaven's Gates, by Rebecca Springer also records visions of relitives, coming to receive family members. I know that particular book, (along with the Bible, a given :) has been such a blessing to me, and many others, too.
According to the Bible, fear is a spirit. My prayer is that Lisa refuse fear, and replace it with God's peace, that passeth all understanding, to leave a legacy of peace, love, and faith, and hope to those left behind.
Death is the last of God's enemies to be defeated, but one glorious day, it will be removed from earth, never to return.
I love you, you know :) And may God continue to pour out His love, mercy and grace upon you, Lisa, and everyone involved right now, too.
And thanks for keeping us posted, also, my sister in Christ :)
Sue,
Thank you for keeping us updated! We appreciate it, knowing how busy you are. It is so wonderful to hear how your chldren are keeping Jaisen entertained with fun activities even when I know their hearts are breaking for him too.
Thinking and praying for all of you. Love, Cammi
Forgiven daughter--- I have been praying for you and Lisa all day. It feels as if there is any time for free thought , it goes to the two of you and your families. I just wanted you to know how amazed I am with all you are doing right now and that I send my love.
Mommyjen,
I am so touched at your caring heart and for all of the prayers. I am emotionally spent and appreciate all of the prayer...it must be what's keeping me keepin' on. I try to blog each day at Child's to keep all of the ladies in the loop so they might know how to pray. I am sorry if I seem brief or forget anyone on Joel's sight....I'm operating with half a brain right now. Just know I love you and appreciate the thoughts and prayers for Lisa and myself. You inspire me with how much you are learning and growing Jen. He is very proud of you.
much love
I have had you in my prayers all day long and for Lisa. I have to tell you that I have been praying for her healing (I can't pray anyother way).
The bible tells us that if two or more, gathered in His Name, agree touching anything, he will do it. We will agree that Lisa is being healed right now and God can do anything if we will have faith. It is faith that pleases him and lets just tickle him pink all over.
Tomorrow is another day and it is our hope. I will keep up on you at Child's blog. Just wanted to let you know you are being lifted high by all the prayers.
Shalom and Love,
Wilma
F.Daughter
Thank you so much for the encouraging words on my site. I got on this am kinda hoping nobody read any of that, but after reading from you and Marge, I sit here in comforting tears of release and encouragement. It really meant alot to me!
I feel so selfish whining about that mess, when I have been trying to keep up. I have been reading all the blogs, even if I didn't post, just to keep tabs.
You know that you and Lisa are in my tops in my prayer book. My stuff seems so stupid in comparison with what you all are going through. I love you so much, and I am going to focus elsewhere than my Rose St. That is what I need to do anyway! You all have refocused me! Thanks!
Keep us updated when you can, I know that your time is very precious right now. I am praying for you always, with out ceasing.
God Bless you
Love,
Faith
Good morning Sue --- Great to hear from you and thanks for the uplifting post !!! I'm hoping my doom and gloom 'appearance' has turned out to look more like a path thru the woods for my hubby. He got fairly perturbed this am when I was online and couldn't get a hold of me. He keeps saying he doesn't know what he would do if I weren't here. Not like him at all. He was the cool kid in school and I have always ached for his approval... until now. Now I only aim to please our Father and just enjoy each moment with my hubby... alot less stressful !I have been begging for his salvation and for him to desire God like I do. I know I must be patient. And after this morning I believe He was giving me a wink as if to say, I'm working on him!!! I haven't discussed the rapture with him much but that was the first thought that entered my mind when he was so upset this am... he thought we were all gone. Praise God that maybe some of the things I've learned are going to come out of my mouth right and just maybe cause him to search for the saving grace of Jesus!!!
Lisais constantly in my prayers. The love I feel for her and her family is immense. My past feels like it is playing out before my eyes but this time with HOPE !!!At 17 there was no positive from my point of view, we did not have a "Forgiven Daughter" in our prescence helping us to get thru the day with the light of the Lord. You are such a blessing to that family and what you are doing now ( living in His likeness) will forever affect them.God bless you!!! And likewise, I have felt that we are linked in so many ways!!! Love you---- jen
I will be praying for your little boy also!!! My kids are not serious and will be okay in the long run. But your young man needs lots of prayers right now so know I'll be adding to them !! love ---jen
Sue -- good morning!! I just read your comment at my site and smiled ...while I was at the dentist( getting my oldest's braces checked ) I was flipping thru a magazine and saw the most beautiful pink blazer!!! I immediately thought of you shopping for Lisa and prayed that you would find just the right thing for her.The jacket was advertised by Coldwater Creek in case you still need top go looking again and it looked great with a crisp white blouse underneath. Just a thought!
Kids, yes, four.I love them so much I can't even begin to find the words!! My oldest is 9, then 7, then 6, then 4. Three boys and a girlin the mix!! The first 3 go to elementary school and the littlest goes to preschool 2 times a week for a few hours... so I usually have a buddy with me at all times. I don't know what I'll do when they are all in school...I may just have to home-school! Seriously, I have considered it. The world today is so scary!!! I keep having the worst nightmares about child predators!!! I keep asking God to keep them safe, guard my thoughts, and for the Devil to 'get' but the nightmares return.I sure hope He does come soon!!! I really don't want my kids to grow up in this disgusting world !!! But the joy I get from watching them learn and grow is... well... the reason this earth is tolerable for me. That and I just have to get thru to my hubby!!! Lisa's situation has really opened up a line of discussion for my hubby and I. He was in my life when everything ended with my mom (we were high school sweethearts).
We talked just last night about how faith in Jesus in that situation could make the whole thing a little easier. He of course didn't fully agree. He keeps going back to how getting thru it all faith can help but when the person is gone is when the faith disappears. My familt fell apart after my mom died. She was the glue. Things got crazy and my brother, Dad, and myself started to fend for ourselves instead of acting like a family.So my husband has watched the pain over the years and struggled along with me. I do pray he will see what I have found that has made the pain so different now.I'll keep praying... and for all the hubbies involved in your situation too.
I pray that what comes after Lisa goes Home is far different than what I witnessed. Dad angry at the world, looking to fill his deep loss for my mom with other women and too much work.My brother,16,left to grow up fast. Feed himself, off to school, and "coolL because he could party( no parents to say no). I got in to plenty of my own horrible decisions and let's just say I'm not sure why He still loves me.I don't deserve it!
I ramble often! Sorry !!! Know that I think and pray for you and all those with you!!! Love to you--- jen
Sue -- hope all the kids got off ok this morning!!! I don't mean to be such a downer when I relate to your situation. I am just so moved by how much hope you offer them and I know they will deal much better because of having you and your family involved !!! I will desperately pray for the 13 yr. old... cuz you are right on the money!!! The further Dad sinks in to his avoidance of what's happened and the stronger her feelings of loss get...the more she will be looking for male attention, safety, reassurance.If Dad doesn't offer it and she doesn't know Jesus can, then she will search it out somewhere. I think as independent as we women want to be and as gifted at handling so very much because He made us that way... we still have a deep knowledge that we need a male support in our lives ... we were made to lean on Him.I pray she will find Him and soon.
Still praying for everyone else too!!!
Stay well and 'fully armored' as Child would say !!!
And thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to learn through you! You are a wonderful role model and I truly believe God wanted our paths to cross! You have blessed my life greatly...thank you! bye for now --jen
I can barely keep up with you wonderful ladies!! Thanks for checking out my blog, I love you guys! I've been praying for you and for Lisa and her family as you update.
In His Love,
Kacey (AKA Princess Kacey, my way of remembering I'm a child of the King:)
Just read your post at Child's. I'm sending love and prayers to you all. He loves you and so do I.I will be praying for Jaisen and the other two children.
Sue,
I just read your post on Child's blog about Lisa's passing. I love you dear sister and so did she. She is with the Lord in paradise and in no pain!
Wow! God chose you for an incredible task. He is surely storing up treasure in heaven for you in eternity. I pray that the Lord will give you strength, and wisdom and peace through these days to come. What a godly example you have been to us all.
My heart just breaks for little Jaisen. I pray, pray, pray for him. Did I read that she also has teenage children?
I pray that her husband comes to the Lord and can see the presence of God through all of this.
Bless you my friend!
Grace (Annette...is the real name!)
Forgiven Daughter,
I was just at, child of the King's site, and saw your posting.
God bless you, and everyone involved, and may God's peace, mercy and love be with you all!
I love you, and God must be so happy with you, for being His obedient Daughter :)
God IS good, and good all the time. It's 'good' to remember in a time like this......especially.
Forgiven daughter-
Just checked in to Child's site while home for lunch. I'm so sorry to hear about LIsa. I'll keep praying for your families and may God continue to support you throughout the next few days. After the funeral was the hardest time for my brother when his wife passed a few years ago. There is so much happening at first and then later everyone leaves and you are left to deal with the grief and putting the peices back together. Expect to have to possibly deal with anger then from the family. God will give you the right words.
God bless you and sustain you,
Chris
My Sister,
I just read the news about Lisa's Home going. I am sorry for the loss felt by both your families right now, especially littel Jaisen. I believe, as Child reminded us, the Lord has her right there with Him, and she is now even more beautiful, and glowing with all the love! You were blessed to be there for her, and she was blessed to have you there, what a magnificent bond, and how sweet the reunion you will have when we all get there!
I will certainly keep your family and Lisa's in prayer...pray the Lord will help to heal the hurt they feel now and continue to show His love and her to them. And especially for you, my dear. You are so very loved, by so many people, and we all thank you for letting us share our love to Lisa thru you.
I will check with you soon.
God Bless you
Love,
Faith
Mommyjen, Annette, Marge, Chris,
Thanks for all of your prayers...I love you all!
Sue
Forgiven Daughter,
I know the sadness that you are feeling but please take time to remember the love and joy you shared with Lisa. My heart breaks for you because I know there are more questions than answers and some day we might know the reasons. Until then just let the Holy Spirit minister to you.
Tuesday as I was driving in the high country that surrounds Fayetteville, I had a Judy Jacobs CD in my car player and she was singing "Until Then" and the music just filled my car with the most glorious praise. I had been praying for Lisa and I thought that it meant she was healed because that is what we were praying for her.
God heals many ways and sometimes it is to take that person home where there is complete healing. I don't know the answers I just know that I had never had such a strong anointing come over me when I would pray for Lisa. Maybe it was because of her fear, I don't know.
Whatever happens now, remember we are all praying for you and the family.
Love you too,
Wilma
Sue,
You're back! Good news!
Love you!
Gotta run to work for now, but wanted to check in, and see if you were up, and running again :)
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