By CATHY ERICKSON
When the phone rang at about 10 a.m., it was our daughter-in-law calling to say our son was getting worse. Without even thinking, I said “We’re coming.” On my Facebook account, I posted that my son Doug was in the hospital in California with failing kidneys. I added that doctors didn’t know what was going on and that we would likely leave soon. I asked for prayer that God would provide a way for us to go if we needed to. You see I hadn’t really thought through the details. I was just asking people to pray.
Within five minutes my sister called and said she would check on flight reservations. Just minutes later she called to say we were booked on a flight that afternoon and that she and my brother were going to pay for it. There had only been two seats available – it was New Year’s Eve after all.
That was just the beginning of the miracles God performed. I don’t have room to go into each one, but please understand that God walked before us every step of the way. When we arrived at 8 p.m., we went straight to the hospital to see our son who was a little scared but resting comfortably with a great staff of nurses and doctors. His kidneys were quickly deteriorating and no one knew why.
Dan spent the night at the hospital to pray for Doug (there were also many people who were praying around the world). The next day his kidneys had some improvement, and this improvement continued every day after that. After five days in the hospital, he was able to go home. We know that God touched his body. He continued to get stronger every day.
God sent us a miracle, and I don’t just mean Doug’s healing. Every step of the way he showed us His way, and that is a miracle, too. We each need to be aware of the everyday miracles God allows in our lives and how we can be a part of those miracles in others’ lives.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Two words that lead to lasting relationships
By Dr. DAN ERICKSON
In a few months Cathy and I will have been married and serving together in ministry for 40 years. That is good long time, but I have a friend whose grandparents have been married for over 80 years. Eighty years! Imagine what it would take to be married that long.
Cathy and I have had our ups and downs, but my life with her has been incredible. We have experienced the pleasure of God in our family and ministry. In fact, not long ago I asked her, “If I died, would you remarry?” She quickly said “NO!” I asked, “Why? Has it been that bad?” She laughed and responded, “No, I just wouldn’t want to raise another one.”
What does it take to walk with another individual in marriage for 40 year or 80 years?
This may be shortsighted of me, but I believe I can answer this question with two words: love and commitment.
Even though the Apostle Paul was never married, he had keen insight into the foundation for all relationships: unconditional love. He wrote:
“No matter what I say, what I believe, or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for your mate then for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut; doesn’t have a swelled head; doesn’t force itself on your mate; isn’t always ‘me first;’ doesn’t fly off the handle; doesn’t keep score; doesn’t revel when your mate grovels; takes pleasure in the flowering of truth; puts up with anything; always looks for the best; never looks back; keeps going even to the end; love never quits.” (I Cor. 13:4-8a The Message – with marriage-related paraphrasing from me)
Even during moments when you don’t feel the love, commitment keeps the relationship going. You may say, “But you don’t know what I am going through and what I have to put up with!” Without trying to sound harsh, excuses are the crutch for the uncommitted.
Commitment says: “I need you; I won’t live without you; only you can satisfy me; I am available to you; I realize that I am not complete without you; I am willing to walk with you through the tough times; I love you and I want your happiness to come before my own.”
Love and commitment. That’s what it took for God to send his only Son to earth to live and to die for us. It’s time that we demonstrated love and commitment to our mate (and if you’re not married, your friends and family).
Maybe that’s what Christ meant when he said, “follow me.”
Imagine the possibilities!
In a few months Cathy and I will have been married and serving together in ministry for 40 years. That is good long time, but I have a friend whose grandparents have been married for over 80 years. Eighty years! Imagine what it would take to be married that long.
Cathy and I have had our ups and downs, but my life with her has been incredible. We have experienced the pleasure of God in our family and ministry. In fact, not long ago I asked her, “If I died, would you remarry?” She quickly said “NO!” I asked, “Why? Has it been that bad?” She laughed and responded, “No, I just wouldn’t want to raise another one.”
What does it take to walk with another individual in marriage for 40 year or 80 years?
This may be shortsighted of me, but I believe I can answer this question with two words: love and commitment.
Even though the Apostle Paul was never married, he had keen insight into the foundation for all relationships: unconditional love. He wrote:
“No matter what I say, what I believe, or what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for your mate then for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut; doesn’t have a swelled head; doesn’t force itself on your mate; isn’t always ‘me first;’ doesn’t fly off the handle; doesn’t keep score; doesn’t revel when your mate grovels; takes pleasure in the flowering of truth; puts up with anything; always looks for the best; never looks back; keeps going even to the end; love never quits.” (I Cor. 13:4-8a The Message – with marriage-related paraphrasing from me)
Even during moments when you don’t feel the love, commitment keeps the relationship going. You may say, “But you don’t know what I am going through and what I have to put up with!” Without trying to sound harsh, excuses are the crutch for the uncommitted.
Commitment says: “I need you; I won’t live without you; only you can satisfy me; I am available to you; I realize that I am not complete without you; I am willing to walk with you through the tough times; I love you and I want your happiness to come before my own.”
Love and commitment. That’s what it took for God to send his only Son to earth to live and to die for us. It’s time that we demonstrated love and commitment to our mate (and if you’re not married, your friends and family).
Maybe that’s what Christ meant when he said, “follow me.”
Imagine the possibilities!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Imagine the possibilities for your life in 2010
BY DR. DAN ERICKSON
As I have been thinking about 2010, I’ve wondered whether it will be just another year or if we can believe God for even greater things – things that are greater than our circumstances or condition. It seems that as I get older, the years fly by quicker. I don’t think I want to miss out on anything that God has for me. I told someone the other day that 2010 was going to be the best year of my life and ministry. Can you believe that for your life in 2010?
You may say, “But Dr. Dan, you just don’t know what I am going through: I am unemployed; I have a disabling disease; I have more month than paycheck; I have kids that are driving me crazy; I have a marriage that’s being challenged.” I can identify with all of these things, believe me. God has shown me over the years, and he will this year as well, that he loves to turn:
• my pain into my potential
• my past into my future
• my messes into my message
My current circumstances and condition do not have to define or confine me, but God does use them to refine me.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 is still true in 2010: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the Lord, “plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” There is a reason God promises this to us: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vs. 12-13).
I have come to the conclusion that God allows difficulties and adversities according to our needs. Even if the adversity remains ever present, he is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or think. So call upon him, seek him with all of your heart, pray to him without ceasing and listen to his still small voice.
Then imagine the possibilities in 2010!
As I have been thinking about 2010, I’ve wondered whether it will be just another year or if we can believe God for even greater things – things that are greater than our circumstances or condition. It seems that as I get older, the years fly by quicker. I don’t think I want to miss out on anything that God has for me. I told someone the other day that 2010 was going to be the best year of my life and ministry. Can you believe that for your life in 2010?
You may say, “But Dr. Dan, you just don’t know what I am going through: I am unemployed; I have a disabling disease; I have more month than paycheck; I have kids that are driving me crazy; I have a marriage that’s being challenged.” I can identify with all of these things, believe me. God has shown me over the years, and he will this year as well, that he loves to turn:
• my pain into my potential
• my past into my future
• my messes into my message
My current circumstances and condition do not have to define or confine me, but God does use them to refine me.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 is still true in 2010: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’” declares the Lord, “plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” There is a reason God promises this to us: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vs. 12-13).
I have come to the conclusion that God allows difficulties and adversities according to our needs. Even if the adversity remains ever present, he is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or think. So call upon him, seek him with all of your heart, pray to him without ceasing and listen to his still small voice.
Then imagine the possibilities in 2010!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The miracle of a changed life
By CATHY ERICKSON
When we had snow on Christmas Day, it was the first time it had happened here (in Kansas City) since 1963. Since I was raised in California near the ocean, I never grew up seeing a white Christmas.
The winter’s snow covers the dry brown grass, the limbs of the leafless trees and the dirty pavement. When the sun comes out, the cover of the snow glistens, creating a most beautiful sight to see.
Can you imagine anything whiter than snow? Yet the Scriptures tell us that we can be “whiter than snow” when we accept the sacrifice of the one whose birth we recently celebrated on Christmas. The snow is beautiful, but a life changed is the most miraculous and beautiful event we can experience.
Admire the snow, but love the miracle of a changed life.
When we had snow on Christmas Day, it was the first time it had happened here (in Kansas City) since 1963. Since I was raised in California near the ocean, I never grew up seeing a white Christmas.
The winter’s snow covers the dry brown grass, the limbs of the leafless trees and the dirty pavement. When the sun comes out, the cover of the snow glistens, creating a most beautiful sight to see.
Can you imagine anything whiter than snow? Yet the Scriptures tell us that we can be “whiter than snow” when we accept the sacrifice of the one whose birth we recently celebrated on Christmas. The snow is beautiful, but a life changed is the most miraculous and beautiful event we can experience.
Admire the snow, but love the miracle of a changed life.
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