Good morning ladies! How are you on this Monday? A new week. We had a wonderful time away in Arizona. We had fun and actually relaxed and came back feeling refreshed. You can't always say that after a vacation. Sometimes you come back and need a vacation after your vacation. I'm sure you know what I mean. But this time was different. I think maybe because we stayed with friends so we didn't feel like we were living out of a suitcase and in and out of hotels. We were in a home and that really made a difference. I have to say, it was so nice to take our coffee out to the patio every morning--missing that already. The weather was absolutely perfect--low 80's, sunny, and a cool breeze every day. Not hot at all. We did venture out to do a few special things, such as a train ride through the Verde Canyon, a trip to Sedona to see the red rocks, a fun time in an old western town called Tombstone, where we saw a re-enactment of a shoot-out and took a trolley ride to learn about the town back in the 1800's. We also did some shopping (of course), ate at several interesting places, and on the last day we went up South Mountain for the sunset, which was so beautiful, and we could also see for miles, including the entire city of Phoenix! So, it was a great vacation and I have MANY beautiful pictures. I will probably put some up in the next few days. And we added a new lady today, Bev, who we stayed with out there in Arizona. Welcome!
Please share with me how you're doing and what's been going on in your life so I can get caught up. If you have any prayer requests or just want to share something with the rest of us. Thanks!
Devotion
“Worshiping God in the Tough Times”
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4, 7 (NIV)
“It’s cancer.”
I stared at my phone screen and reread my sister Karol’s text over and over again.
She had accompanied Dad to his doctor’s appointment and promised to let me know how it went. I’d pulled into the church parking lot and was about to return to my office when I saw her text. Gasping like I’d been tackled, I doubled over against the hood of my car.
The fear that lurked in the back of my mind now fully surfaced and became reality: My father had cancer.
It wasn’t just that I loved my dad — he was my hero, my friend, my mentor in the Christian faith. He was the best man at my wedding, and as our Church of the Highlands began to grow, my dad moved to Birmingham to help us. He was deeply intertwined in every aspect of my life, and I couldn’t imagine any of it without him.
Walking on autopilot, I went to my office and shut the door. I slumped into the chair and began wrestling with unnamed feelings. As a pastor and a student of God’s Word, I had all the biblical answers and pastoral training for situations like this.
I knew God’s truth. I believed God’s truth. But suddenly … I didn’t know what to do.
Just as Daniel had been a captive of the Babylonians, I felt as though I’d been held hostage by heavy emotions I couldn’t process.
So, feeling desperate for God, I did the only thing I knew to do: I turned on some praise and worship music. That probably sounds strange. Worship and grief don’t usually go hand-in-hand. But I’d learned to practice worshiping God no matter what the circumstances.
God promises us peace that surpasses all understanding in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” But before we get that promise, we have some instruction. Philippians 4:4 is the key that unlocks this peace: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Worship didn’t erase my grief in the moment, but transformed it into overriding peace. A peace I could not have found any other way.
I let the goodness of who God is soothe me. I felt His power strengthen me. I sensed His presence as He comforted me. And though I knew I would grieve Dad’s cancer again and again, I took comfort in the reality I could survive this news.
During that season, while my father battled for his life, God gave me a verse to focus on: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18a, NIV).
As I reflected on this verse, I thought, Well, which is it? Will God rescue my dad from this evil attack? Or will Dad go safely into heaven?
Eventually, I realized the answer was “yes” — and both happened. His treatment successfully eradicated the disease from his body. However, the cancer returned the following year, and my beloved father passed away a few months later.
I grieved then, and I still miss him. But I find great joy knowing Dad is in heaven, and I’ll see him again someday. With God, we’re always in a win-win situation.
The pivotal moment in the whole journey of Dad’s illness was that day in my office — the day I worshiped God and refused to bow to fear, pain and despair.
If I’d chosen not to worship at that time, the world would have understood. After all, death and sickness are known to take people out for a little while.
But then, doesn’t stepping out in faith usually run counter to this world? Hearing Dad’s diagnosis felt like my Daniel-in-the-lions’-den moment. My mind told me God had abandoned me. But rather than cave to the despair of looming circumstances, by God’s grace I chose to worship Him no matter what and never bow to the pressures of life.
And you can, too.
Dear Lord, thank You that worship changes everything as it restores my perspective. Help me move from viewing my problems as big and You as small to the exact opposite — as I focus on how big my God is. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Chris Hodges
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (NIV)
Please share with me how you're doing and what's been going on in your life so I can get caught up. If you have any prayer requests or just want to share something with the rest of us. Thanks!
Devotion
“Worshiping God in the Tough Times”
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4, 7 (NIV)
“It’s cancer.”
I stared at my phone screen and reread my sister Karol’s text over and over again.
She had accompanied Dad to his doctor’s appointment and promised to let me know how it went. I’d pulled into the church parking lot and was about to return to my office when I saw her text. Gasping like I’d been tackled, I doubled over against the hood of my car.
The fear that lurked in the back of my mind now fully surfaced and became reality: My father had cancer.
It wasn’t just that I loved my dad — he was my hero, my friend, my mentor in the Christian faith. He was the best man at my wedding, and as our Church of the Highlands began to grow, my dad moved to Birmingham to help us. He was deeply intertwined in every aspect of my life, and I couldn’t imagine any of it without him.
Walking on autopilot, I went to my office and shut the door. I slumped into the chair and began wrestling with unnamed feelings. As a pastor and a student of God’s Word, I had all the biblical answers and pastoral training for situations like this.
I knew God’s truth. I believed God’s truth. But suddenly … I didn’t know what to do.
Just as Daniel had been a captive of the Babylonians, I felt as though I’d been held hostage by heavy emotions I couldn’t process.
So, feeling desperate for God, I did the only thing I knew to do: I turned on some praise and worship music. That probably sounds strange. Worship and grief don’t usually go hand-in-hand. But I’d learned to practice worshiping God no matter what the circumstances.
God promises us peace that surpasses all understanding in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” But before we get that promise, we have some instruction. Philippians 4:4 is the key that unlocks this peace: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Worship didn’t erase my grief in the moment, but transformed it into overriding peace. A peace I could not have found any other way.
I let the goodness of who God is soothe me. I felt His power strengthen me. I sensed His presence as He comforted me. And though I knew I would grieve Dad’s cancer again and again, I took comfort in the reality I could survive this news.
During that season, while my father battled for his life, God gave me a verse to focus on: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18a, NIV).
As I reflected on this verse, I thought, Well, which is it? Will God rescue my dad from this evil attack? Or will Dad go safely into heaven?
Eventually, I realized the answer was “yes” — and both happened. His treatment successfully eradicated the disease from his body. However, the cancer returned the following year, and my beloved father passed away a few months later.
I grieved then, and I still miss him. But I find great joy knowing Dad is in heaven, and I’ll see him again someday. With God, we’re always in a win-win situation.
The pivotal moment in the whole journey of Dad’s illness was that day in my office — the day I worshiped God and refused to bow to fear, pain and despair.
If I’d chosen not to worship at that time, the world would have understood. After all, death and sickness are known to take people out for a little while.
But then, doesn’t stepping out in faith usually run counter to this world? Hearing Dad’s diagnosis felt like my Daniel-in-the-lions’-den moment. My mind told me God had abandoned me. But rather than cave to the despair of looming circumstances, by God’s grace I chose to worship Him no matter what and never bow to the pressures of life.
And you can, too.
Dear Lord, thank You that worship changes everything as it restores my perspective. Help me move from viewing my problems as big and You as small to the exact opposite — as I focus on how big my God is. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Chris Hodges
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (NIV)
RSS Feed
