Only with Jesus

Risk-taking faith. Healing begins when we do something. Is it any something or must it be something phenomenal? Going to the doctor may not be enough. That perhaps is not a risk? Healing begins when we reach out, when we take a step. How big a step? How much?

God, Max Lucado says, honors radical, risk-taking faith. What is radical. Where can I find healing from the pain, relief from the pain. The pain that distracts me, that prevents a good night's sleep and through the day.

There are many, besides myself, who seek healing - from pain, disease, anything and everything. Many, many.

Leg pain, reoccurring leg pain, newborn surgery, foot surgery, diabetes, arthritis, carpal tunnel, shoulder surgery, cancer. So much, so so much.

And then there are answers. Thank you Lord for answers. You do answer. You provide the answers we seek. Sometimes we don't always see them staring us right in the face. Sometimes we are so blind. Our understanding takes so long, doesn't come as fast as we'd like. You know all. We are so slow.

But we pray. We continue to pray for our friends, our family, ourselves and we continue to praise you and give thanks for all you bestow upon us.

It does not come easily to thank you for the turmoils that come upon us. But when we seek you in their midst, we do find, perhaps, a bit of relief, possibly complete healing or remission. But best of all, we find peace. And rest in you Lord Jesus.

And because of You, we can overcome. Because of You dear Lord, because of You in us, we can overcome. Thank you Lord.

Thank you for helping me to remember that it is through You, in You, walking beside me, carrying me, I can overcome each struggle. Only by your power is it possible.

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

"With God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26a

Lost and found

When we lose
what we are
what we think we are
when ourself is
somewhere we can't find
when we've lost
any meaning
of all we search
within ourselves.

We have things
this and that
to do
but we've lost
a specific moment
a priceless particle of time

Our leisureness
is abstract
our distractions
prevent us from
truly focusing
truly reflecting
truly living
truly loving

Quantity has
overtaken.

Quality
is down the road
a ways; downtrodden,
forsaken.

Jesus too
alas, was forsaken,
downtrodden.

But He overcame
And so can we.
Quality can
rule.

The loss
we feel
own up to
traumatic it is

It brings us
-- if we allow it --
to reflection
of a moment
a time
a lifetime ago

Stark
white
naked

Pure
white
refreshing

Where are you
Where have you been
Where have you come
Where will you stop
and look and listen
Where is it all
Where have you looked
Where will you find

or have you
answered
every
where
there is

have you
found
the where
within your heart

have you
found
Jesus.

All we have
or think we have
matters not
if Jesus
Himself
does not live
within us.

Without Jesus
we are
Nothing.
We have
Nothing.
We merely exist.

Move about
here and there
this and that
but life
eternal
escapes us.

Must find.
Must find Him
Without Him
I cannot achieve,
or hope to achieve,
the goal He has for me.

We lose
a loved one
But if we
do not have
Jesus,
our precious Lord
and Savior,
we lose
much more.

Our very soul.

Cathy Orrick Luders
2.13.2010