It's Sunday morning, sunny and breezy outside as I look out the windows... it appears to be the perfect Spring morning. Occasionally the sun dips behind a cloud or two, betraying the fact that they say some storms are coming later this afternoon and evening.
Seems the fitting weather for today. Michelle is feeling much better, the pain having subsided quite a bit and she is feeling in many ways almost normal; the perfect picture, one we have all been praying for. Yet, there is a "storm" brewing. I feel it inside, I know she must as well. While today may be the perfect "Spring Day", tomorrow's forecast is for "storms" to come. Unlike weather-people (can't say weathermen in our politically correct world!) who are doing great if they are right 20% of the time, the forecast we sense is 100% sure to come. The only question is how bad will the "storm" be... our prayer is, "Lord, make it just a mild Spring shower!" As you search the Internet, which can be a good thing and also a not so good thing (!!!), the possibilities run far and wide when it comes to trying to get a handle on what to expect as chemo starts. Perhaps that is the way the Lord wants it to be so that, as with each step of this journey thus far, we have only one place to turn and only one Person to fix our eyes and trust upon, Him alone. Whatever may come, whatever storm may blow through, mild or raging, we know He will see us through. Like the wise man, we have fashioned our "house upon the Rock"; no matter the intensity of the storm, we will stand fast in Him.
Many time we do not understand why it is we find ourselves going through trials, struggles and tests (yes, tests!). As I have said many times, in each case the enemy is tempting us to turn from God, to lean on something or someone other than the Lord, even to be angry with Him that He has allowed us to be where we find ourselves. At the same time God is using the trial to test us, desiring for our faith to grow and shine as it is proved (tried) by "fire", that His glory might be revealed in and through us. As we look ahead to tomorrow our simple request, the cry of our hearts, is that we would pass the test...
As I was riding to a workshop with a friend and co-worker yesterday morning, Jasper Lukose, we were listening to a children's radio program he does on WMBI (Moody Radio) on Saturday mornings. During the program he read a short story, the title of which escapes me. What I so clearly remember is this... it was a dad's birthday and the kids played a trick on him by putting one of those candles on his cake that, no matter how hard you blow on it, it just stays lit. You ever had that happen to you??? I have... Anyway, as I thought of that candle it immediately brought to mind Michelle. Like that candle, no matter how hard these "winds of life" blow against her, they cannot extinguish the light of Christ that burns so brightly in her. I remember thinking, "When I grow up, I want to be just like her, Jesus!"
Please pray that we would enjoy this "day in the sun", looking forward with great confidence that the days of struggle that lie ahead would be, like today, clearly defined as days in The Son! We love each of you so very much, thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf... - Steve and Michelle -
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About the Venables
- The Venables -
- We, Steve and Michelle, live in Peoria, AZ, with our kids: Sarah, Steven, Rebekah and Moriah. Steve recently re-entered the world of full-time ministry within the local church, taking on the position of Campus Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel North Phoenix, and Michelle continues to homeschool ALL FOUR kids!
Trust, Lean, Acknowledge
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prov 3:5-6)
An alternate rendering of "He shall direct your paths" is that the Lord will make your way smooth and/or straight. This can seem so contrary to life experiences, which at times appear to be anything but smooth or straight. Yet, as we trust in the Lord and not in our interpretation or thoughts on what is "happening around or to us", acknowledging that He is in control and nothing escapes His knowledge including the trials of life, relying on Him for even our very next breath, He truly provides "shock absorbtion" for the bumps and potholes of life; and what seemed to be a dramtic turn in the road is nothing more than Him redirecting us down a path for our edification and growth. It is not always easy and many times doesn't seem to make sense, but in the Lord it is ALWAYS for our good.
Trust in, lean on and acknowledge HIM... He will guide you through even the most difficult of times of life. Today, even if you are in the midst of the fiery trial, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, in Jesus you will come through it not singed, without even the "smell" of fire on you (Daniel 3:27), purified for greater service unto Him and bringing glory to His name alone.
An alternate rendering of "He shall direct your paths" is that the Lord will make your way smooth and/or straight. This can seem so contrary to life experiences, which at times appear to be anything but smooth or straight. Yet, as we trust in the Lord and not in our interpretation or thoughts on what is "happening around or to us", acknowledging that He is in control and nothing escapes His knowledge including the trials of life, relying on Him for even our very next breath, He truly provides "shock absorbtion" for the bumps and potholes of life; and what seemed to be a dramtic turn in the road is nothing more than Him redirecting us down a path for our edification and growth. It is not always easy and many times doesn't seem to make sense, but in the Lord it is ALWAYS for our good.
Trust in, lean on and acknowledge HIM... He will guide you through even the most difficult of times of life. Today, even if you are in the midst of the fiery trial, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, in Jesus you will come through it not singed, without even the "smell" of fire on you (Daniel 3:27), purified for greater service unto Him and bringing glory to His name alone.
Pause and Ponder (Selah):
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say,'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" (James 4:13-16, NKJV)
At times like the one Michelle and I find ourselves in at the moment, it amazes me how simple life really becomes. Yes, things can seem on the surface complicated when you think of tests, surgery, radiation therapy, possibly chemotherapy; but in actuality, as life becomes more focused on the immediate and more critical, it slows and everything just seems a little more uncomplicated. You can't really make plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year to some extent; you literally have to live life moment to moment, day to day. This brings about a re-evaluation of ones life, causing that which is truly important to come to the forefront.
It makes me wonder how many times we, even as Christians, fashion our plans, establish where we are heading, and detail out where our life is going and then, once we have come up with it all, ask God to bless OUR endeavors having never sought Him in the process. How much struggle do we bring into our own lives because we didn't first seek Him as we were coming up with our "plans"? I am reminded again that is is okay to make plans in the Lord for our future, but in the end it is the Lord's will that matters most. To paraphrase Henry Blackaby from Experiencing God, we are really here to simply participate in what God is already doing around us!!! As the Word says, don't get caught up looking to tomorrow because you have no control over what it holds and sufficient for the day (today) is it's own trouble (or "stuff" to deal with!). Oh yeah, and don't get hung up looking back at yesterday either because you can't change it!
Keep an eye on where you are heading in the future, yes, trusting in Jesus each step of the way as you make your plans. But be sure, in the midst of the "road trip", to give your ALL today in serving the Lord, giving Him the "steering wheel" as HE guides and directs you into the future HE has planned for you. It is better than anything you could have come up with anyway!!!
At times like the one Michelle and I find ourselves in at the moment, it amazes me how simple life really becomes. Yes, things can seem on the surface complicated when you think of tests, surgery, radiation therapy, possibly chemotherapy; but in actuality, as life becomes more focused on the immediate and more critical, it slows and everything just seems a little more uncomplicated. You can't really make plans for tomorrow, next week, next month, or even next year to some extent; you literally have to live life moment to moment, day to day. This brings about a re-evaluation of ones life, causing that which is truly important to come to the forefront.
It makes me wonder how many times we, even as Christians, fashion our plans, establish where we are heading, and detail out where our life is going and then, once we have come up with it all, ask God to bless OUR endeavors having never sought Him in the process. How much struggle do we bring into our own lives because we didn't first seek Him as we were coming up with our "plans"? I am reminded again that is is okay to make plans in the Lord for our future, but in the end it is the Lord's will that matters most. To paraphrase Henry Blackaby from Experiencing God, we are really here to simply participate in what God is already doing around us!!! As the Word says, don't get caught up looking to tomorrow because you have no control over what it holds and sufficient for the day (today) is it's own trouble (or "stuff" to deal with!). Oh yeah, and don't get hung up looking back at yesterday either because you can't change it!
Keep an eye on where you are heading in the future, yes, trusting in Jesus each step of the way as you make your plans. But be sure, in the midst of the "road trip", to give your ALL today in serving the Lord, giving Him the "steering wheel" as HE guides and directs you into the future HE has planned for you. It is better than anything you could have come up with anyway!!!
4 comments:
HOLD FAST...
Our prayers continue as you continue this journey...
Love you both,
John
This was given to us at Church yesterday By Mike And Terry Mulluck, Terry just had her 1st Chemo and Herceptin, She made the comment " That she was walking along, with Michelle, as We both walk with the Lord." The following is Author Unknown-WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO--CANCER IS SO LIMITED It cannot cripple LOVE,It cannot shatter HOPE,It cannot corrode FAITH,It cannot destroy PEACE,It cannot kill FRIEDSHIP,It cannot suppress MEMORIES,It cannot silence Courage,It cannot invade the SOUL,It cannot steal eternal LIFE, It cannot conquer the SPIRIT.... SO True You are all in our prayers
Hi to All of the Venable Six family;
Steve may be teh only onwe who recognizes the name Scott. I'm very late in getting to the blog (though I'm a computer type guys blogs are rather new), but wantedto let you all know you are in my prayers that what ever the type of strom brewing that God will be with you holding yo all in His hand
Blessings Scott Kalas
Hello to all of you!
You are often in our thoughts and prayers throughout each day. We know that the Lord is strengthening your faith and trust in Him. As I pondered the "coming storm," the verse that is coming to mind is this: "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3-4. We know you are keeping your eyes on Him, and He will fill you with His peace. May He become ever more real to you each moment of every day. We're sending you all hugs!
We love you guys!
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