Thoughts to ponder

I'd like to share this morning's devotional reading from the little publication, Beside the Still Waters.

"Cancer, that dreaded word!  It is an incurable disease today as leprosy was in Naaman's day.  Much research is done to understand the cause and find a cure.  Sin is much like physical cancer.  It slowly but certainly eats away at the soul of man.  But human reasoning goes to great lengths to classify sin as simply the result of our weakness or our environment.  God sees everything, but sometimes cancer escapes the most skilled surgeon's eyes.  In fact, cancer may remain hidden until nothing can be done about it.

Cancer cannot be cured, though treatment can cause it to go into remission.  In contrast, sin that is properly dealt with by the blood of Jesus, can be completely cured.  Once cancer starts, it often takes the victim's life.  Likewise, if we continue in sinful  habits, they will lead to spiritual death.  As cancer causes its victim to lose his natural appetite, so sin robs us of our appetite for God and His Word.

Cancer will cause people to suffer things they never imagined before.  Sin will also bring unimagineable bondage and suffering.  Though sin eats silently like cancer, God always has a remedy for it.  The remedy is to repent and find healing through the blood of Jesus.  For cancer victims to be in remission is a cause of joy.  Being healed from sin is reason to be very glad as Naaman was after his leprosy was gone.

Patients are generally careful to follow a physician's advice for treating cancer.  But many people are unwilling to do what Christ requires to be healed from sin.  May we be among those to whom He says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34)"

Celebrating and Mourning, praise GOD

It was with sadness and some shock that I learned that my sister passed away yesterday morning.

She was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer about a month ago, and while battling pain from Spinal Stenosis, she had begun chemo treatments.   But it was her heart that gave out yesterday, and she has gone to be with the LORD.

We had a wonderful, long phone conversation a week ago, and she told me that she was at peace with whatever the outcome.......healing, or passing into eternity.  I thank God that she did not have to endure a long, miserable fight with this vile disease. 

Praise and Glory to God !

Today I received my phone call from the Social Security Office setting up my survivor/widow's benefits.  I turn 60 next month and will become elible.  Of course, there is a percentage loss for taking it earlier than full retirement age, but I feel that this is the safer thing to do.

 The job that I am working is very labor intensive for someone of my age and weight, and I don't know how long I can keep it up.  For now, I will just play it by ear, and I may look into getting fewer hours assigned to me in the coming year, but would want to be assured that I would still be working the same position that I am now. 

Anyway, it feels good to have this taken care of.  I wasn't sure that I would also be eligle for Medicare when I turn 65, but the young man assured me that I am. 

I haven't gotten to do anymore quilting, except for making myself another potholder to carry with me for warming my dinners in the microwave at work.

Today is a beautiful, typical Fall day, and it is my day off, so I hope to clear some things out of that shed, and perhaps do a bit more 'clorox cleaning'. 

So, TA-TA for now............(where in the world did THAT come from?)