42. Monday, October 4, 2010

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Its that time of year again....I LOVE Fall... the beautiful colors of the changing leaves just makes me want to inhale deeply and praise God with every breath I exhale! It is a BEAUTIFUL season!! Everywhere I drive, I can't help but take notice of the beauty all around me! And it used to be my very favorite because of the nice cool Autumn breeze. Now, I still enjoy the visual beauty of fall, and the pleasant smells, and nice fall fashions.... but I'd rather view this beautiful season from my car window with my nice warm heater blowing on my feet... or from my living room window as I snuggle up under my electric blanket with a small space heater that "follows me" everywhere I go in my house.

Lupus and Raynaud's phenomenon have affected my body in such a way that temperatures below 90 are brutally cold to my body... bone aching, body shivering, skin purpeling, hair standing up... FREEZING COLD! Some times it seems I just can't get warm enough.... I feel cold from the inside out... and it is a miserable feeling! So if you see me dressed as if I'm heading to the North Pole while everyone else is seemingly comfortable in short sleeves... that is why! :)

Last week my rheumatologist (who treats me for lupus) said that due to more complications I've been having from lupus, he needed to start treating me "more aggressively." He added more medication to my already long list of prescriptions!! Once per week I have to take low dose chemotherapy. It is in pill form and the dose is no where near the amount a cancer patient would take. Nonetheless, the side effects and risks are... unpleasant to say the least. I was told to take it on a day when I am able to lay around for a couple of days after taking it. For me... that is Wednesday nights because I do not teach on Thursday or Friday. So for the next two to three months, my Thursday and Fridays will be a little unpleasant. I took it for the first time this past Wednesday night and was not able to get out of bed until Saturday, but am still not feeling quite myself today (Monday). My doc "hopes" that after two or three months, my body will get used to the medicine, the side effects will diminish, and I'll start to see improvements in the lupus.

I know that God's hand is still upon me. He is carrying me through this and will continue to give me unspeakable joy and everlasting strength each and every day! I am still praying for total healing... I'm praying with expectancy... I KNOW my healing IS coming... so until then, I will press on through this and praise Him with every ounce of strength He gives me!! I have FAITH in Him and am standing on the promises of His word. I love this quote from Dr. Tony Evans... "Faith is acting like it IS so even when it is NOT so in order that it WILL BE so simply because GOD SAID SO!" Hallelujah!

Psalm 91:14 (NIV) "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name."

I LOVE the Message version of this promise....

Psalm 91:14 (MSG) "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know me and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you...I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"

WOW!! What a promise!! God is so good! God is LOVE! God is MERCY! God is GRACE! God is SHELTER! God is COMFORT! God is PEACE! GOD IS FAITHFUL TO KEEP HIS PROMISES WHEN WE ABIDE IN HIS PRESENCE AND LIVE FOR HIM!!

I have so much to be thankful for!! God has poured out His blessings on my life... far more than I could ever deserve. I'm so very thankful and praise Him for the blessings He has already poured out on my life. I am also praying with excitement and anticipation for the unattainable that He will bring forth in my life and in the lives of my family!!