Quick update!

Checking in! Saying I'm fine! Life has been busy! My days need more hours! My weeks need more days! My trip to Zion in October started me on a new medication that involves one shot per month. The side effects have actually been good. My diabetes is more under control and some digestive problems are better too. I will find out in January if it was effective in stopping the tumor growth. I feel well. Life is good.

Saturate JFM 2009

People who know me well know that there is nothing I like better than a good long soak in the tub. "I'll see you in a few days" is what I tell my family when I head in for a marathon bath. Last night I experienced a soak of the different kind. Early in the summer, I was walking though our empty church on a Thursday night before our weekly prayer meeting and felt a strong urge to organize a night of prayer.

My experiences with Walk to Emmaus have instilled in me the importance of prayer and especially prayer for our churches. I have served on the team of many an Emmaus Walk (special retreat weekend). One of the things that is done just prior to the walk is to go through the building praying for God's blessing and presence in every room. As we travel we pray for those who will come. It is always a powerful experience and God does amazing things in the lives of the people who participate in the weekend. The whole weekend is powered by prayer. People praying on and off site throughout the 72 hours of the event.

This is the experience we need to bring into our churches. This is my passion in ministry - to spread the word that our churches need prayer. How can you best serve you pastor and church leaders? Keep them covered in prayer. I am convinced that the more we pray for our church and it's leaders, the stronger and more effective the ministry will become.

I am involved in an intercessory prayer group on Tuesday mornings that specifically prays for the churches in Jackson County. We are often in contact with local churches of all denominations. Many churches are struggling right now. Some pastors are discouraged, some churches are in conflict, some are struggling to keep their doors open due to the economy, some seem to have lost their focus and are trying to get back on track. The key is prayer. The greatest thing you can do for your church and your pastor is pray and encourage others to pray as well!

So ... back to last night! We had seven groups that prayed last night - six that traveled through the building and one that stayed in the sanctuary to pray. I was probably overzelous in making the prayer assignments. The process took a couple hours but no one seemed to mind. Like I said, a long soak is a good thing! Next year I hope we will have more groups to share in the work and the blessing of prayer. I saw joy and excitement in the eyes of those who completed their journey and I truly believe that God will bless JFM and make us stronger as a result of our prayers.

Keep praying!
Cindy

Clip art courtesy of Christian Clipart

Here in Tampa (short version)

Here we are in balmy Tampa, Florida! Got up very early this morning to catch the shuttle to Moffitt's Cancer Center. I had to be there at 7:30 for paperwork and saw the doctor at 8:00. Dr. Strosberg was very nice. He went over my history and made a few recommendations. We are very happy about the options he presented but will have to wait until blood work is done in about a week and probably an octreoscan before we will have any definate treatment plan. The great news is that all options led to continued treatment at CTCA with my beloved Dr. Thompson. She is the greatest!

The Only Thing That Matters

Today I'd like to talk about relationships. God has blessed me deeply with many wonderful friends and mentors. If there is one thing that cancer has taught me it is that nothing in this life matters much except God and people.

Right after I was diagnosed, I read the book "Searching for Heaven on Earth: How to Find What Really Matters in Life" by David Jeremiah. It is a study of the book of Ecclesiastes. I had always found that book to be very depressing! "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 1:2) I had just been diagnosed with cancer and things were looking bleak. Death was imminent or so we thought! The book became a gem for me. Death is not the end. Death is only the beginning.

"Love God, Love Others" is the sermon series at JFM right now. This is something that God had already revealed to me through this book. In 200 years you and I will most likely be forgotten. The only ones who will be remembered are those who made the history books, made some great discovery, or did something so profound or terrible that it stirred the heart of the world. The rest of us will become a branch on a family tree only remembered by those who love their genealogy. Everything I own will most likely be decomposing in some dump. My home will eventually be replaced. Nothing that I possess or hold dear will remain - except the people I have loved, the relationships that have enriched my life and my impact on my fellow man.

As a Christian I believe with all my heart that physical death is not the end of life but instead the beginning of a new and amazing existence without the limitations of a human body. All who come to know Jesus Christ, acknowledge His Lordship in our lives, and choose to follow Him are assured of life abundant and eternal. My purpose here in this life is to love people, to live out my faith, and to encourage others to develop a strong relationship with Him. He is my strength and my constant companion.

This past weekend I was blessed with a day spent with some of my spiritual mentors. These people knew me at the very beginning when, as an adult, I returned to church. There I discovered that although I have always believed in Jesus, I never knew him personally. Rick and I got involved in Sunday School and Bible Study with these amazing people. The growth that came out of those years was profound for all of us. We have shared joys, sorrows, read, studied, and prayed together. There is a part of me that was nurtured by each and every person in that group.

We talked about that around the campfire. Once we all attended the same church. Today we are widely disbursed but we are still connected with a strong bond that cannot be broken. We share a history together. We have seen glimpses of God together and we will celebrate together in Heaven when all that seems important in this world is long forgotten. Love God and love others. Cherish and nurture your relationships. This is what truly matters in life.

A New Chapter

Life sometimes has its unexpected surprises. My mother has found true love for the second time in her life and was married on August 1st to a wonderful man. Both mom and her new husband lost their spouses to cancer. Two people who have raised their families, sadly said good-bye to their mates and faced life alone. Romance kindled. Youth renewed. A new beginning.

It is fun to watch the joy and youthfulness that has emerged from these twighlight years newlyweds. Twitterpated ... I say. Full of that joy and enthusiasm that young lovers share. It is hard to keep up with them. Life is busy as they settle into this new life. They have many plans and I have a feeling that I won't be seeing much of them for awhile. Travel is in their future. There is a world to explore together.

Having a step-father is something that I had never imagined. We have met his family and they are wonderful people. The circle has grown. Relationships have begun to develop. At the rehearsal dinner it was announced that he will be a great-grandfather. This new baby will be my mother's great-grandchild and somehow we will feel a connection to our new extended family too.

Thank you, Lord for sending this man into our family. I pray that they may enjoy good health, happy travels. and have many beautiful years together.

Reflections on Relay for Life 2009

This year's Relay for Life held at Cascades Park in Jackson was a mix of joy and pain - very much like any cancer journey. The event began with a joyous camaraderie as survivors, caregivers, and friends gathered to celebrate life and raise money to advance the fight against cancer. The survivor's tent was buzzing with conversation as inspiring music was presented by a talented young man. Free dinners were passed out. Survivor T-shirts were donned. Other freebies were shared.

Jackson High School junior Emmarie Truman touched us all as with her speech at the opening ceremonies. She described her experiences as a 15 year old diagnosed with brain cancer. She was very eloquent and shared her struggles and victories as a cancer survivor. Her faith in God poured out of her and her words inspired us all. Praise the Lord, she seems to be winning her fight!

There were over 600 participants in the victorious Survivor Lap including one woman who is a 55 year survivor!! Lots of smiles, cheers, and clapping spurred us on as we walked the track. I felt a special victory in my life because last year I had to be pushed in a wheelchair because of side effects of treatment. Thank you Lord for feet to walk on!!! I rejoiced each lap I took!

The Luminary ceremony at dusk was profound as thousands of bags that represented loved ones who had succumbed to this terrible disease and in honor of those still in the fight. During our times of silence I remembered my Dad and prayed for the families of those I have lost this year ... Jean, Kathy, Elliott, Kris & also those who are fighting the disease ... Jean, Tracey, Sue, Priscilla, Dale, Mark, Dave, Jennifer, Mary Ann, Lana, Terry and more. As we walked the track the luminaries were both beautiful and sobering. This is a fight we must continue to engage until victory is won. I felt a sense of gratitude to everyone who made a donation!

I went home to the warmth and comfort of my own home. The event continued and the rain poured down. It was intense at times with thunder and lightening. When we returned in the early afternoon the place had been transformed into a wet muddy mess. Poor groundkeeper! Ruts and mud were abundant and will need to be repaired. Some hardy souls were still walking the track but plans were in the works to end the event early due to abundant rain pouring down and still to come.

It is ironic that such a joyous event can suddenly turn to sadness! Just like our cancer journeys, things don't always happen the way we would choose. A sudden gust of wind called a microburst blew through the area destroying tents including the tent that contained the raffle prizes. Several people were injured although none serious. The raffle tickets were lost and some of the prizes were damaged. The raffle will most likely have to be scrapped causing a dilemma that will have to be settled by the lottery commission.

Joys & sorrows but God will use it all for good! Much money was raised and God willing we will be able to do it all over again next year - minus the rain!!

The Sleeping Monster

We just got back from CTCA in Zion, Illinois for my 3 month scans and doctor visit. Seems that the sleeping monster has let out a big yawn. Two lesions on my liver have grown slightly and show a slight increase in activity. Looks like I will be starting on a new adventure soon to try to keep him from awakening entirely. Dr. Thompson is contacting one of her colleagues who specializes in neuroendocrine tumors (islet cell carcinoma) and will be calling me in a few days to let me know the plan. She is a wonderful doctor. I am so blessed to have her. I've enjoyed my break while the enemy slept but am more than ready to join back in the battle if necessary.

A Frog in my Shoe

I love summer! I love gardening! I love nature with all the surprises that come with it! Today was a fun day. I was straightening up my patio and moved my gardening shoes. Inside was a sleeping tree frog. He/she is a beautiful silver-gray. It looked so comfortable that I took a few pictures and let it sleep. What a trade-off. I get my shoe guarded from bugs and it gets a nice house! I think I shall wash them before I wear them again.

Second fun surprise was a hummingbird battle that occurred right over my head. I was sitting on the ground under the feeder trying to get rid of an obnoxious weed. Two hummingbirds were dive bombing each other and chattering totally unaware that I was only a few feet away. Later one came into the gazebo while Rick and I were eating supper. The yard is teeming with life! This is a day that the Lord has made and I am both rejoicing and being glad in it!

Disappointment

Our youth group at church planned to go to Honduras this month to serve people in a town called Tocoa. Recent unrest has caused them to call off the trip for now. Mission trips are an amazing opportunity to experience God through serving others. Many people return from such trips transformed as they experience another culture and harsh realities like hunger and extreme poverty. This is what we were expecting God to do as 32 high school students and 8 adults prepared for the trip. What does God have planned for the youth of our church?

I have faith that God will use even this situation for His glory. Sometimes when we wait patiently for direction from God he will send us down a better path. It is not always a smooth one but when we reach the end and look back, often we will see a glimpse of His plan and realize that things are the way they should be. I don't know where the path will lead for our youth but I pray that He is working in their hearts as they learn another harsh reality of life - that life often takes unexpected twists and turns. For right now the hope is that the trip will be able to be held at a later time. Patience and waiting are tough!

I feel very sad for the people of Tocoa and all of Honduras. Please pray for a quick resolution to the political unrest. People already are suffering and their poverty and strife may increase if this is not settled soon. I pray for their disappointment over the cancellation of the trip. Our youth were to build a small house, dispense worm medication to the children there, and distribute food. Lord, make a way!

New Life in a Beautiful Setting

Yesterday was a beautiful day! It was sunny but not too hot. If one were to complain about anything, it was a bit windy. Spiritually it was a beautiful day too! Worship at JFM was exceptional. It was Communion Sunday. The message and the music as we took communion led me to a real sense of the Lord's presence.

Fast forward to 6:00 p.m. at Ackerson Lake. Our annual summer baptism service was held at the home of Bill and Mary. They have a beautiful home with a very nice lakefront. Over 100 people gathered to witness the baptisms of 8 people. As each person entered the water their story was read over the loudspeaker. It is always inspiring to hear how Christ changes lives. Sunday was no exception. The baptism candidates were frank and eloquent as they described their lives before they came to know Christ. Two were alcoholics and talked about how Christ freed them from their addictions and former lifestyle. There was strong sense of victory in the air as we heard about the transformations that have taken place in all the candidates. It was a privilege to hear their stories.

Afterwards there was a sandwich buffet and lots of time to mingle among the people gathered there. I was amazed by the connections God brought to me there. Some were people struggling with cancer. I hope I was an encouragement to them. I also was able to connect with some people to discuss a prayer event that I feel led to plan. It seemed like God orchestrated the right people at the right time to join in the conversation. Lastly, He connected me with a few people that I wanted to congratulate for the good things that He is doing through them. I left the gathering feeling uplifted to a degree that I haven't felt for awhile.

God is real. God is present. God changes lives. Thanks be to God!

Close Encounter of the Best Kind!

Today I had a wonderful encounter with a hummingbird. I was watering a hanging basket just inches from a feeder when she came to eat. The distinctive whirring of her wings enthralled me as she approached the feeder. Suddenly she withdrew about a foot and looked at me curiously. I stood still as a statue. She hovered at the feeder and took a drink. Again she took flight and moved toward my face. She must have been wondering "is she real?" Evidently she concluded that I was not a threat because she resumed her drinking. The encounter lasted a full minute or two. What a delight!!!!

Summer Memories

Today was blistering hot. The temperatures soared in the 90's. I love summer although I was happy that Rick installed the window air conditioner last night. My gardens need extra attention in such extreme heat and so I wandered in and out of the house to move the sprinklers and keep my plants happy. It was so nice to be able to come back into the house where it was cooler.

Hot muggy days bring back many happy summer memories. Every summer my cousin Sue and I would spend a few days staying with my cousin Nancy at her home at Farwell Lake. They had a pontoon raft anchored out in the water. I can still close my eyes and picture those lazy summer days spent out on that raft. We would wade out into the chest deep water with our beach towels which we would spread out for the perfect resting place. We would sun ourselves and talk, and laugh, and tell jokes ... and when we got hot we would roll off into the water and swim and then begin the process all over again. Ah, to be a child again! As Pumba would say, "Hakuna matata" ... no worries!

Today as I was wandering about the yard, I was drawn to remember my days as a daycare provider. On the hot, hot days like this the perfect respite was water balloons on the patio. We had a wading pool with a slide and another small one for the babies. I would get a lawn chair and dangle my feet in the water while the kids played. I would take the hose and begin to fill water balloons. We all had a great time and at least one popsicle. I found myself wishing to be whisked back in time for the afternoon and enjoy the splash of cool water and the laughter of the children.

My joy and nostalgia were intensified when three of my former daycare kids stopped by on an errand. My how they had grown. All three were once infants in my arms and I was astounded by how much they had grown. The eldest is on her way to becoming young woman. How did that happen?? The middle child will in middle school next year. The baby is now a strong boy of 8. My heart smiled as they told me of their summer activities. I felt privileged to spend a few minutes with them as I savored how special they are to me.

Summer memories ... life is good!

Preacher and the Bear (Hope Not!)

I took a mini vacation/mission trip with my sister, her daughter, and niece to Oakdale Christian Academy. The very day we left they spotted a black bear on campus. It is ironic that I had asked whether they ever had bears there and Laura told me not on campus but they had been spotted down the road. Well, wouldn't you know this one wandered on to campus that very evening? It was seen again last night. This prompted me to look up an old song that my Dad used to play for us. We loved it. It is so appropriate in this situation. Hope you enjoy!

School's Out and an Update on the Man from Honduras

Forget what the calendar says. Today is the first day of summer. School got out yesterday. This means no more getting up at 6:25 to make sure my teen gets up and around in the morning. Today I am celebrating another school year gone by. Nick is a senior starting today. One more year and my baby will graduate.

Great news about Marco, the young man who was kidnapped in Honduras! He was released safely. His family had to pay a huge ransom but he is free. Say a prayer for another unnamed man who was not yet released and for the captors so consumed with greed that they would do this. I hope and pray that they will be caught and brought to justice. I am so glad that I was born in the United States and live in a place where I feel safe and secure. Thank you, Lord, for the release of Marco!

Remembering Dad

Today I am remembering a very special man. My father, Eldon, would have been 77 today. He died of cancer in August of 2005. I have so many wonderful memories of this man who loved his family deeply. We were his main focus in life. His second love was fishing.

I can remember his patience with us when as young children he would take us out in the boat. Cane poles were the choice of the day. He taught us how to bait our own hook. If we wanted to catch fish, we needed to get used to the feel of the slimy worms and place them on the hook ourselves. He always brought a candy bar for each of us. I can remember the strangeness of eating a candy bar with worm germs on my hands. I was a true fisher-girl to do that! I remember the peacefulness of the lake as we sat and watched our bobbers, waiting for a nibble. In later years he taught me to clean my own fish, not my favorite job but a necessity. His motto was "you catch them, you clean them."

I can remember as a child him offering me the choice of a penny, a nickel, and a dime. I wanted that nickel so bad! I was sure it was more valuable because of its size. I would not believe that that teeny little dime was the biggest prize! He was very amused. He had a silly game he would play with young children. "Do you want that ear any longer?," he would ask. There was no correct answer. "Yes," would bring the reply "then let me stretch it" and a "no" answer would bring, "then let me take it." Either way the ear got a gentle tug and a twinkle from his eye.

He loved poetry and would recite silly poems for us. My favorites were "The Spider and the Fly" and the "Goblins Will Get You (IF You Don't Watch Out)." He recited them with great animation making us squeal with delight. He was also very fond of the "Willie" poems. He had a great sense of humor.

He also loved music. Dean Martin, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Frank Sinatra, and many others. One of my favorites was Roger Miller. Through his silly music I learned "you can't roller skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to." One of the songs I remember the most was "Dang Me." Sung with a peppy country twang was "Dang me. Dang me. They outta take a rope and hang me. High from the highest tree .... long note .... country twang finished with a high note ... "woman would you weep for me bup bup bup do dodled doo doo down." Kind of morbid when you see it written but it was fun to sing!

Some of my favorite memories are Sunday drives usually involving a stop for ice cream; playing cards and the twinkle he got as he laid down a good card; watching him stroll with mom, hand in hand, around their large garden looking for asparagus; and him waxing his car and listening to the NASCAR race on Father's Day. He always planted his strawberries during fair week. It made sense to him because it always rains fair week! He was seldom wrong.

There is a family story that often gets mentioned at family gatherings. It involves me, a pop bottle, a fence, and a field. As an inexperienced driver I reached down to straighten a bottle of pop that had fallen over. I took my eyes off the road and found myself in a field not far from my house. The problem is that I had hit a wire fence in a way that the car somehow caught the bottom, slid under it, and didn't break the fence. I drove around trying to find my way out. I finally walked home. Dad worked nights and so he was sound asleep. "Dad, I went off the road. The car's OK but it's in a field and I can't get it out!" He jumped out of bed and into his pants faster than a fireman ever could. Later I would find out that my driving around the field over stumps ripped up the undercarriage of the car and the fence scratched the paint on the roof.. He loved his cars and must have been upset with me although he never showed it. That was the type of man he was. He did like to tease me about it. Maybe that was my penance.

He was a man of wisdom. Two of his favorite Eldonisms were "if you aren't going to use your head you might as well have a fanny on both ends" and when we were standing in his line of sight he would tell us "you make a better door than you do a window." Both expressions make me smile to this day.

I could go on for hours writing about my dad. He was one loving, fun, hard working man. I miss him.

Special Day!

May 31, 1975 is the day I became Mrs. Rick Danks. We were both so young. Of course, we didn't think so at the time! It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. My husband is a wonderful man. He is very loving, compassionate, thoughtful, and a great provider. Today I celebrate our love and the 34 great years we have been husband and wife. Thank you, God, for my dear sweet husband!

My "To God be the Glory" Story

Yesterday our church choir presented an amazing cantata about God's presence in the midst of our trials. I was privileged to be able to share a short testimony as part of the program but that is not what I am blogging about today. The opening hymn yesterday was one that is very dear to my heart and has significant meaning. This is an amazing story of how God used the birth of a baby to change lives.

Children are one of God's greatest miracles. Being pregnant and knowing that a child is growing in your womb is amazing, exciting, and wonderful ... until you get to the ninth month! Then you just want it to be over and to hold that baby in your arms. This is how I felt in January of 1992. I was ready to have my body back.. What is taking so long? I'm tired and getting a bit grouchy. After all, the due date passed two weeks ago!

Finally, the pangs of labor. Let's get this over with!! What would transpire during the next few days would be among my most precious memories. The labor was difficult. The child was in danger. His heart rate kept dropping. The doctor was very concerned. The nurses prepped me for surgery. One more attempt and then off we'll go to surgery. Nicholas was born with a prayer and a push. When the doctor saw the umbilical cord, he was amazed. It was tied in a true knot. That knot could have cut off or reduce the baby's blood supply causing death or disability. This is the first miracle.

The second miracle is God's timing! While I was in labor my grandmother was admitted to the hospital. She was scheduled for surgery the next day and was dreading it. She was able to come to the birthing suite and hold that new little life. It was a joyful experience for all of us and turned what would have been an evening of dread into a special memory. I believe it was God's perfect timing to delay the birth until the umbilical cord was in the right position for delivery and for him to be used to touch my precious grandmother.

Fast forward a few days. It is Saturday evening. We had been home for a few days. Fatigue and several situations beyond my control have left me frazzled. I decide that Nicholas and I will skip church in the morning. After all, I have been very faithful in attendance and surely God will understand. It is the middle of the night. I am feeding my baby and reflecting upon the events of his birth. A song keeps going through my head. It is the chorus of the hymn "To God be the Glory." It keeps playing over and over. The words are:

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Let the earth hear His voice!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Let the people rejoice!

Oh come to the Father through Jesus the Son

And give Him the Glory great things He has done!

I thought of my precious baby. His life was spared! He is healthy! God used him to bring joy to Grandma. Suddenly, I realized that by not going to church that I was missing an opportunity to give God the glory for this miraculous birth.

Sunday morning, we arrive at church, precious bundle in my arms. We slip into a pew next to our friend, Margie, lover of babies. We hand him to her and she holds him during the service. After the service we find out that her father had just died. She is now an orphan. Her siblings are gone too. She is the last of her family to survive. Yet God sent a baby fresh from the womb to comfort her and let her feel and experience new life. Thank you Lord for the nudge to go and let my son be used once again!

The presence of God was so close and brought even closer when I opened the bulletin to look at the morning's order of worship. I couldn't believe my eyes for in the program was the hymn "To God be the Glory!" Now I can't hear that hymn without remembering that glorious experience of God's presence and His love shown through a child named Nicholas.

To God be the glory!

Urgent Prayer Request

Please pray for a young man in Honduras who was kidnapped yesterday. He comes from a wealthy family and his life is in grave danger. Please pray for protection and safe release from his captors! Thank you!

Get with it, Lady!

My friends are back! I have been meaning to get my hummingbird feeders out and filled. I knew they would be coming soon but I have been procrastinating. I stepped out the door on Tuesday and lo and behold a ruby throated hummingbird came right up to me. He looked me in the eye and hovered and then he swerved over to the left about 2 feet still staring me down. He seemed to be saying, "lady, you knew I was coming. What kind of a hostess are you?" The feeders are now full.

Somebody's Praying Me Through

God continues to give me messages about Jim the homeless man featured in my essay "Humpty Dumpty."

Tuesday mornings I attend a prayer group. This morning we had a blessed time of sharing and prayer. I told them the story of Jim. They confirmed my belief that my interaction with this man was not by chance, it was a divine appointment. During our prayer time we prayed for Jim and all the broken people. I got in my car to leave. I turned on Family Life Radio. Guess what the first song was that played? "Somebody's Praying Me Through." This is the song that Jim was listening to as I saw him slowly moving by the park. This also speaks of this mission God has sent me on. It is an older song. It has been a year or two since I have heard it played. God's timing is amazing. My mind went right back to Jim. Over 100 people so far have gotten the request to pray for Jim and broken people like him. Hearing that song played at that time in that place was another sign to me that God is hearing our prayers and He is pleased. I've added the song to my playlist. Give it a listen.

Prayer is powerful. I am blessed to have amazing prayer support. My life continues to be transformed through the power of prayer. Maybe right now your life is not going well. I urge you to get a prayer posse going. I pray that this song and testimony will encourage you to do so. And if your life is going great count your blessings and remember the Jim's of the world.

Thanks for listening!

Humpty Dumpty

National Day of Prayer May 7, 2009. I park my car and hurry to the park. It is a dreary and wet day. The downpour has finished but a light drizzle remains. I do my best to ignore the rain and concentrate on the service. A song begins to play and a man begins singing "Somebody's Praying Me Through." What a great song. I embrace the message.I notice a man slowly walking by the park. Something about his demeanor made me feel he was really lost. Not physically but spiritually. God prompted me to bow my head and pray for him. When I was finished he was gone. The encounter that I would have with him after the service was amazing. God came down and tried to reach this man. Only problem is that he is just like Humpty Dumpty. I have never met anyone so broken by life. God put us together at a point where he was vulnerable, searching. It was easy to get him to discuss his life and his views of God. You see, God abandoned him a long time ago. At least that is his viewpoint. He was sexually abused by his parents and beaten if he didn't cooperate. Why, he asked, would God allow something like that? He said he had never felt love. If God loved him, why had his life been so hard. Why is he stuck all alone, homeless in a strange city?

What do you say to such a broken person? Jesus loves you is just not sufficient. I told him that Jesus said that "in this world there will be trouble." I decided to tell him about my cancer. It really is nothing compared to his life but did get his attention. Later in the conversation, he told me that he wished he could take my cancer because his life was not worth anything. How that breaks my heart! The saddest thing that he said to me occurred when Dave, a local Christian radio celebrity walked by and I invited him to pray for Jim. "He doesn't know Jesus," I said. Jim replied "Oh, I know Jesus. He just doesn't know me."

So here I am days later contemplating my encounter, and thinking about Humpty Dumpty. All the king's horses and all the king's men can't put him back together again. He is broken beyond repair by human hands. But there is One who can fix Jim piece by piece. The only way to achieve this is if God's people pray, if they pray for Jim. God came down to Bucky Harris Park on May 7^th and took a piece of that fractured shell. He gently glued it back onto Jim's broken body. I saw it happen. Whether it will dry and become strong is up to Jim and up to me. You see, prayer is the glue that has the potential to heal even the Humpty Dumptys of this world. I plead with you to pray for Jim and all the other badly broken people in our world. Prayer is powerful. God is powerful. He can do anything - even save Jim. But only if God's people pray.

Thanks for listening!

My First Post - Why?

Well, folks. An encounter with a homeless man has prompted me to start a blog. Sometimes things happen in our lives that are just meant to be shared with others. As I intend to keep my Care Page mainly for updates on my health, I thought it might be nice to have a place where I can blog and if anyone is interested, they can follow along. I can't promise that it will always be interesting or inspiring but I guess that is what blogging is all about. It is about sharing what is on your mind and heart at any given moment. This is what I plan to do. I am a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, cancer patient, friend, and now blogger.