Welcome "FRIENDS" 2008

By Bonni Titcomb, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner

It has been a blessing to be a part of "FRIENDS" since the first meeting.
Im a Board Certified OB-Gyn Nurse Practitioner.  Ive been a womens health care provider for
Twenty-five years.  On many occasions Ive been in the position to give women their abnormal
mammogram or pap results.  Everyone experiences anxiety over abnormal results and most fear
the potential cancer diagnosis.
 
My dear friend Rev. Elizabeth Barnhardt, a cancer overcomer and the co-founder of "FRIENDS,"
asked me to be a medical support member of "FRIENDS".  I thought I was just that.  I wasnt a
cancer overcomer.  My Mother was a 17 year breast cancer overcomer and I had experienced
the death of my 38 year old husband Twenty-one years ago.  I thought I could share how I
overcame these painful times and my medical experience, to encourage the group.
 
God knew---Romans 12:5  "Since we are all one body, in Christ, we belong to each other and
each of us needs all the others".
 
Recently, I was gripped by fear, when my Husband received test results that were suggestive
of cancer.  I feared losing  my Husband.  I couldnt stand the thought of the pain and grief that
would bring and I feared being left alone, again.
 
"FRIENDS"  prayed with me and comforted me.  GOD ENABLES US TO LOVE THE FEAR OUT
OF ONE ANOTHER
 
2 Corinthians 1:3-7+10-11Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received
from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ
our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are
comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same
sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share
in our sufferings, so you also share in our comfort.  On Him we have set our hope that he will
continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf
for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
 
Shared pain, shared suffering, thats Gods way with us.  He is the God of all comfort and
when he comes beside us and offers us strength for living, moment by moment, we learn
to freely stand beside fellow suffers, to let their pain become our pain, for as long as they
may suffer.  Shared pain, shared suffering and shared comfort!
 
Thats why "FRIENDS" need "FRIENDS"
 
My "FRIENDS" prayed and loved the FEAR right out of me and rejoiced with me when my Husbands,
tests were negative for cancer.  My "FRIENDS" have blessed me with their testimonies of courage,
faith, strength, compassion and love, while they are over comers of cancer through the hope,
healing and comfort of JESUS CHRIST!
 
I continue to remember you in my prayers.
 
Your "FRIEND"  Bonni G. Titcomb

A SURE FOUNDATION 2008 TEACHING

PAUL IS TELLING US THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IN THIS LIFE, IS TO MAKE SURE OUR LIFE IS BUILT ON THE SURE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

WE ARE GOD’S GARDEN. WE ARE GOD’S BUILDING. GOD IS BUILDING A SURE FOUNDATION IN US AS WE CONTINUE IN HIS WORD.

Heb 4:12(NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

GOD WANTS TO HELP US IN OUR TIME OF NEED. GOD UNDERSTANDS. GOD SEES AND HEARS EVERYTHING. GOD IS TOUCHED WITH THE FEELING OF OUR SICKNESS AND WEAKNESS.

Heb 12:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

JESUS IS WAITING FOR US TO APPROACH HIS THRONE OF GRACE SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE HIS MERCY IN OUR TIME OF NEED. WHEN OUR FOUNDATION IS IN JESUS, WE HAVE THIS CONFIDENCE TO APPROACH GOD.

GOD TELLS US PLAINLY AND IN A PRACTICAL WAY HOW WE CAN HAVE THIS SURE FOUNDATION.

Matt 7:24-29(NIV)"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock . 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock . 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority.

JESUS IS SAYING BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON THE ROCK AND WHEN THE STORMS OF LIFE COME, YOU WILL NOT BE MOVED. YOU WILL NOT FALL.

Ps 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

1 Cor 10: 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Ps 18:2 (NIV)The LORD is my rock , my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock , in whom I take refuge.

Ps 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

PRAYER FOR TODAY: FATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WE DECLARE YOU AS OUR ROCK. LORD JESUS, BECAUSE OF YOUR SURE FOUNDATION IN OUR LIVES, WE CHOOSE BY FAITH NOT TO BE SHAKEN.

LORD JESUS, WHEN OUR HEARTS GROW FAINT, LEAD US TO THE ROCK OF YOUR PRESENCE WHICH IS HIGHER THAN ANY CIRCUSMTANCE LIFE BRINGS OUR WAY. LORD JESUS YOU ARE OUR STRONG TOWER WHERE NO FOE CAN REACH US. LORD JESUS, TODAY, WE CHOOSE BY FAITH TO DWELL IN THE TENT OF YOUR PRESENCE AND TAKE SHELTER UNDER THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS FOREVER. AMEN