Boiling Cold

I walked down to the river today and took this photo as I paused to let my Dog Gus get a drink.  The water seemed to be boiling as it forced it way down stream.   Standing next to the roar of the river reminded me that I server a powerful God, a God that will not be constrained by walls, a God that loved me even before I knew him, a God that washes me clean and leaves me white as snow.

Psalm 147:15-18

 ¹⁵He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
¹⁶ He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷ He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
¹⁸ He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Prepared

Tonight I have been thinking about sharing with others. In first Peter 3:15 it is written that we should "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Tonight I pray for opportunities to share the hope I have

1 Peter 3:14-16

14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.”[b] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Today I am very thankful for 15 stitches and a two inch scar that will eventually look like a small sword on the side of my cheek.  I am thankful for a nurse named Gary who spends every working day walking with patients through Mohs surgery.  I am thankful for Garys' love of the Lord and his willingness to bring God into his patient care.  I am thankful for Dr Peters steady hand, love for God,  and amazing bedside manner.  I am thankful for my loving wife who sat by my side, and my children who prayed for me.  I am thankful that the skin cancer I had was fully removed and did not have deep roots.   I am most thankful for the faith God has given me.  He granted me a peace as I walked through this process and continues to grow my roots of faith stronger each day.
I sketched this drawing while waiting to hear the results of the testing from the material the doctor had removed from my left cheek.  I was in a recovery lounge w/ several other patients all with compression bandages on various parts of their bodies.   My prayer today is that God would grant them quick healing and that their faith, not their cancer, would grow.

Squamous cell carcinoma

About 2 out of 10 skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (also called squamous cell cancers). The cells in these cancers share features with the squamous cells seen in the outer layers of the skin.

These cancers commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ears, neck, lips, and backs of the hands.

Colossians 2:6-7

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Thankful

This weekend I hiked to the top of Smith Rock with my family and a few friends.  The above photo is what greeted us as we crested the summit.  We had done the bulk of the hike in the shade of the cliffs and only emerged into the late afternoon sun at the very top.  My six year old said it best with a simple grin and a "WOW Dad".    I am thankful for the beauty that God has created all around us.  I am also thankful that I serve a God that promises a treasure that lasts.  Everything around me might fall, but God remains constant and his love for me will never change.

Hebrews 12:27-29

²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.