God's Way

"Why are you still sick? If God is your healer, then why aren't you healed?" Comments like this can cause distressful nights from well-meaning friends. Or you may have these questions yourself. The answer, I believe, lies in the power of the cross...in the process our old natures undergo as God prepares us for a truly victorious life.

As we advance in our spiritual life, the Holy Spirit searches our hearts for the dark "pockets" of our sin nature that have yet to die. King David spent an entire Psalm (38) describing how this affected his health. He also described the taunts of his family and friends who derided and avoided him when physically, he was in his darkest hour. This may be what you're going through now.

Many are the strong saints in the Lord who have had similar experiences in their lives. They also came to realize that it was not a time when God was not answering their prayer - indeed He was, but in a far greater way. He was changing them to be more like Him. How can you explain to the unenlightened what is happening to you inside? You can't. You can only take comfort in the knowledge that you are: "carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body...then death is working in us, but life in you" (2 Corinthians 4:10, 12, NKJV).

His will for every problem and every situation — without exception

Read Psalms 106 -- 107

Highlights:

Want to take a 40-year trip? Travel with the people of God as they relive their desert wanderings. They confess their sins, including when they lusted (Ps. 106:14), murmured (106:25), mingled among the heathen (106:35), and shed innocent blood(106:38).

The magnificence of Israel's history was not the result of her heroes, priests, or prophets, but rather it was the fulfillment of the Word of God (Gen. 12:7). 

All failures which were written in their history — all losses, defeats in battle, famines, and exiles — to be seen as consequences of disobedience to His Word for they believed not His Word (Ps. 106:24). 

Finally, they praised God for their deliverance (107:19-20). 

L i f e

Rick Joyner

Then God said, "Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures,

and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens."

And God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves,

with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind;

and God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:20-21).

The Lord said that His people were worth "more than many sparrows" (see Matthew 10:31), so sparrows are obviously worth something to Him. When He created the beasts He "saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:25). The creation is precious to the Lord, which is why we see in Revelation 11:18 that when the Lord's great wrath comes at the end, one reason is "to destroy those who destroy the earth." Christians should be the most devoted conservationists of all, counting precious what our wonderful Creator has given us to enjoy on the earth. Life, in all of its forms, must be esteemed and protected. However, this must not be confused with the idolatrous worship of the creation in place of the Creator.

Formation Toolbox : Spiritual Gravity

By Andrew Dalton

Most of us flushed whatever physics we learned in high school from our memory on graduation day, however the same Sir Isaac Newton who once grieved us can actually help us answer the following question: What is the efficacy of our prayer?

Jesus says, “Ask and you shall receive.” Yet how are we supposed to process that? Do my prayers save souls? Do my sacrifices “win grace” for others?

Grace, by definition, is always sheer gift. So do prayers actually “work”? To put the question bluntly, is there anything in “fighting for righteousness” for me or for anyone else?

Balancing Work and Family

Written by Greg Leith

I slipped into his room late one evening as I arrived home from work so that I could give him a goodnight snuggle and a kiss, only to find him wide awake. “Hey Dad, it’s Wednesday!” my 12-year-old said.“Tonight was our date night, Dad! You forgot!”

Somewhere between the deadlines and the meetings and the to-do list, I’d forgotten the most important responsibility in my life — my family. It had also been weeks since my wife and I had a date together. I knew things needed to change — and fast. I needed to focus on my family and let them know they were just as important as my work.

We set out to meet our work goals and somehow in the midst of it all, we forget that waiting at home is that young boy wanting to play catch, that teenage girl who needs to talk about boys, or that spouse that needs to be treated with all the attention we used to give when we were dating. Why does it happen? How does it happen? How can you prevent it from happening to you?

Must Prune to Bloom

Leonard R. Davidson Charisma Channels - Women

A weeping, flowering cherry tree is one of the most beautiful of all of the ornamental trees. We bought my mother-in-law one for Mother’s Day many years ago. She was so excited. Being a certified nurseryman, I planted the tree exactly the way it should be done. The next year it bloomed nicely—and even better the next year. 

However, after about four or five years, my mother-in-law called me right after the tree had bloomed. She expressed concern because the tree barely bloomed at all that spring. In fact, she said it was pitiful. The next time we went for a visit, I took my pruning clippers and small pruning saw. While she watched, I got the ladder and went to work. Several times I heard her say, “O my,” and “O dear.”

Correct, effective pruning is different than just “shearing” the tree to look like a lollipop. There are two basic types of branches that need to be removed. The first is a branch that is growing the wrong direction. These branches rub the other branches and can cause disease. They also block out the sunlight that is needed for flower buds to form. 

Lung Cancer and Sexuality

How Will Lung Cancer Affect My Sex Life?

By Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com Guide

Updated March 27, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Sexuality is an important part of what makes us human, but with lung cancer, the rigors of treatment can push physical intimacy to the back burner. You may be tired from treatments, or your loved one may feel uncomfortable broaching the subject as she focuses on concerns about your health. Despite its importance, healthcare professionals are often hesitant to bring up the subject of sex due to time constraints, consideration of privacy, and even their own comfort level in discussing sexuality. But we know that sexuality affects quality of life and psychological well-being for those living with cancer. What are the issues that affect sexuality with lung cancer, and what can you do to foster sexual (and subsequently emotional) intimacy during cancer treatment?

Issues That Can Affect Sexuality If You Have Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can affect sexuality in many ways, both due to the disease itself and the side effects of treatment. Understanding some of the issues can help you address those that you have some control over, and help your loved one know how he or she can best support you. Some of these include:

Physical issues: 

Changes in physical appearance – Your physical appearance (for example hair loss or weight changes) during treatment may make you feel less attractive or desirable as an intimate partner.

Symptoms of lung cancer – Common symptoms of lung cancer, such as a cough or shortness of breath, may worsen during sexual activity.

Fatigue – Fatigue is an almost universal concern with lung cancer. This can stem not only from the cancer itself and side effects of treatments, but from the demands of doctors visits and traveling for treatment.

The presence of visitors – Time spent with family and friends is very important, but they may forget that you need time to be alone with your partner.

Psychological issues: 

Anxiety about your condition, your treatments or more.

Depression and grief – Studies show that mood has a significant effect on physical function.

Loneliness – You may feel emotionally separated from your loved one as you now face different challenges.

Role changes – Taking on the role of caregiver changes the dynamics of intimate relationships. A spouse may view a cancer patient more as a child than as a sexual partner, and feel uncomfortable with physical intimacy. You, the patient, can also be affected by assuming a role of accepting care more than giving it.

Guilt – Guilt due to the stigma of lung cancer, feeling that somehow an individual caused their disease and somehow deserves it, is common with lung cancer and can interfere with sexuality.

Tips For Enjoying Your Sexuality During Lung Cancer Treatment

Talk openly with your loved one
Share your needs and acknowledge one another's concerns. Anticipate that physical intimacy may need to be expressed in a different way as time goes on. Talk about how you can express your love if you are too fatigued for intercourse, or if coughing requires you to engage in quieter activities.

• How to Talk to Your Partner About Sexual Issues or Concerns

Share intimate physical moments that don’t involve intercourse
Be generous with touch. Hold hands during doctor’s visits. Sneak a kiss while the lab tech draws blood. Look back to the days when you first fell in love, and the special “little things” you did that drew you closer.

• Sexual Activities That Don't Involve Intercourse

Adapt according to your limitations
Positions such as side-by-side may require less energy. Have the partner without cancer take the more active role. Plan to have sex when you are well-rested and not directly following a heavy meal.

Give yourselves a special treat
Think of things that make you feel good and attractive to each other. A new outfit, a pampering massage, a special cologne, even a new hair color (assuming you have hair) may add a little spice. This is important for both of you, as caregivers often feel guilty pampering themselves while caring for a loved one with cancer.

Skip the booze
Alcohol can interfere with a healthy sex life even if you don't have lung cancer. That said, a glass of red wine might add a sparkle to the moment.

• Sexual Effects of Alcohol

Set “visiting hours”
One lung cancer survivor told me that trying to find time alone with her husband reminded her of when they had young children. Now they ask friends not to call or visit during “nap time.”

Nurture your spiritual life
An active spiritual life is associated with a healthier mood and greater emotional well-being, which in turn are linked with a more satisfying sex life with cancer. Spirituality means different things to different people -- organized religion, communing with nature, meditation, or the like.

Most importantly, express your love daily in as many ways as you can. A relationship that is based on love and respect and that is continually nurtured is the best foundation for sexual intimacy during cancer treatment.

Sources:
Gilbert, E. et al. Renegotiating Sexuality and Intimacy in the Context of Cancer: The Experiences of Carers. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2008. Dec 9. (Epub ahead of Print).

Goodell, T. Sexuality in chronic lung disease. The Nursing Clinics of North America. 2007. 42(4):631-8; viii.

Kotronoulas, G. et al. Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2009. Jan 9. (Epub ahead of print).

Lindau, S. et al. Communication about sexuality and intimacy in couples affected by lung cancer and their clinical-care providers. Psychooncology. 2011. 20(2):179-85.

Shell, J. et al. The longitudinal effects of cancer treatment and sexuality in individuals with lung cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum. 2008. 35(1):73-9

Shwartz, S. and J. Plawecki. Consequences of chemotherapy on the sexuality of patients with lung cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2002. 6(4):212-6.

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