First, a note from Kim: I met Dave in the fall of 2006, when I began teaching at King’s Christian School in Cherry Hill. Dave was a retired school teacher, now serving at the school doing various things in the maintenance department. But most importantly, he spoke into the lives of students and teachers alike through his gentle spirit and great wisdom. I learned a lot about Dave as we had occasional opportunities to chat while cleaning up after the middle school kids who swarmed out of the lunchroom, leaving us with the remnants of lunches and left over messes blind to the eyes of energetic tweens too involved in their social lives and excitement of recess to notice that their version of leaving the lunchroom “in order” was a far cry from the expectations of their teachers. It was the adults who stayed behind to get the room, “in order” and sanitary for the next wave of young people who came in hungry, looking for a table and bench free of crumbs, sticky fingerprints, and splattered drops of juice from careless pre-teen eating habits.

I learned more about Dave and his growing up years when I read his first book, Take Me With You, published in 2011. Since then, I’ve learned that he is not only an excellent writer, but a poet and artist as well. When I read this article submitted by Dave, it confirmed what I already knew. That Dave was indeed a man of faith and prayer. Dave has faced some very difficult and tragic circumstances in his life, but the Lord has brought him through these times giving him abundant blessings and joys as well. Please keep Dave in your prayers as he and Karlyn are walking through yet another deep trial, as Dave is being treated for cancer, which has been complicated by other health issues discovered over the past few months. Dave’s faith and example of trusting in God in every circumstance will encourage you and challenge you in whatever you are facing in your own life.

Prayer

Acknowledges Him in all our ways

 

Proverbs 3:5, 6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

 

In my life, prayer has taken on an image that is growing and changing as I grow closer to our Savior.  When I think my prayer life has reached a plateau and can’t grow any more, I realize that I’m starting to fail again.  A quick analysis reveals what has happened.  Usually, I’m praying less frequently, or, I’m spending less time in prayer.  Also, there are fewer blessings received.

Over time, the reality of the plateau I was living on turns out to be one of many steps leading to God.

A few steps ago, (40 years), God took my wife home to be with him in heaven.  We had been battling her cancer for two years.  I was sure God was going to heal her.  When her illness became critical, I became angry.  Why are you doing this God?  Why would you take my wife and leave me with two children, 10 and 7 years old?  What is the logic in that?

I decided to stop talking to God.  I refused to pray.  Fortunately, my Godly mother moved in with us.  She would pray in front of me.  When she was through she would just look at me without saying a word.  She was so loving and patient.

After a while, I decided that I was not going to get married.  I was defying my wife’s wishes that I meet someone to help me care for our children, Lori and Dan.  My mother said I should look for a nurse to marry.  One month later, a friend of mine introduced me to a woman named Karlyn…  Yes mom, she was a nurse! She lost her husband to cancer about the same time that I lost Pat.  When I met her, everything changed.  She invited me to have dinner with her.  She even volunteered to wrap my children’s Christmas presents hiding in the trunk of my car.  Although she never had children, she wrapped presents like a pro….

Later, we went into her kitchen to enjoy the Tuna fish sandwiches she had just prepared.  As we sat down, she said, “David, would you pray?”  I didn’t know what to say.  I muttered a quick prayer “Thank you for the food. Amen.”

Hearing myself pray and hearing Karlyn pray in the following days and months, my heart was softening.  Self was no longer in control.  God had used Karlyn as the catalyst to draw me back to him.

Karlyn and I have been married for thirty-nine years.  We have three children and nine grand-children.  We have been privileged to counsel others who have lost mates or are going through a divorce and are suffering loss.  We have taught many about the importance of prayer.

A few weeks ago, my doctor told me that I have Colon Cancer.  After the initial shock of this diagnosis, Karlyn and I have experienced the joy and peace we spoke of so many times.  My pastor friend who lives nearby asked me, “David, are you worried?”  Without hesitation I replied, ”I am privileged to be chosen to suffer, I am in His will and in His hands!”  Many people have warmed our hearts by telling us they are praying for us.  God’s plan for us to use the tools of prayer is amazing!  God blesses the giver and the receiver of prayer.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 mentioned earlier is one of my favorites.  Especially, “Acknowledge Him in all our ways.”  Actually, it is rather simple.  Recognize God in everything we do and everywhere we go.  In other words, in all aspects of our life, make Him a part of it by thanking Him and praising Him throughout our daily activities.

Last year I wrote a book entitled “Along the Way.”  It is a book of poems that I have selected over a fifty-year period.  It includes illustrations and narrations that describe why each poem was created.  In the book there are a variety of poems that include Spiritual, Life applications, Humorous, and Love poems.  One of my favorite poems in about Christ’s experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mathew 28.  It is called “Take this Cup.”

Christ prayed three time for God to “Take this cup.”  Humanly speaking, He did not want to go to the cross.  He had just told His disciples that He was going to die.  Was He changing His mind?  This unique and revealing prayer was showing us that Christ was human and He was also the Son of God.  Had He not concluded His prayer with, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will,” all was lost.  God’s plan was victorious.  I give you:

Take This Cup

For more information about my first book TAKE ME WITH YOU, visit my website at  www.loridanjon07.wordpress.com

Davidlewisbooks1@yahoo.com

 “Take This Cup”

         Waiting in the Garden,

                 Betrayed by a kiss.

         Thirty pieces of silver?

                 Father, not like this.

         They said, “You are guilty.”

                 I made no plea.

         Their hearts were hardened,

                 They convicted Me.

 

         Take this cup, I am willing,

                 I know You’ll lead the way.

         Take this cup, You are my Father,

                 I trust You every Day.

         Take this cup, the road grows weary,

                 I need to be strong.

         Take this cup, oh my Father,

                 Your words shall be my song.

 

         Ten thousand Angels waiting!

                 Waiting for my command!

         Tear down this wretched cross,

                 Take the nails from My hands!

         Your plan, oh Lord, I must do,

                 I will love You until the end.

         You are the great “I am.”

                 Abba, My Father, My friend.

 

         Why have you turned Your face?

                 You cannot look at sin.

         Your love is still with me,

                 Till the very end.

        

         And now  “It is finished.”

                 God has given Me victory.

         The Angels sing a new song:

                 “The Lamb went willingly.”

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David has shown us his love for family in his first book, TAKE ME WITH YOU.  Having a diversified life experience, his Midwestern roots flavor and influence what he writes.  His writing experience has blossomed from a humble beginning in the corporate world of interdepartmental communication, creating training manuals and marketing material, to writing drama skits, a play, poetry, short articles for the Ohio Historical Society, and his first book.  He is presently working on his third book about a runaway slave family during the Civil War entitled “Broken Bondage.”  It should be available in the latter part of 2016.

David is a retired schoolteacher.  He and his wife Karlyn have been married for thirty-nine years, and have three children, and nine grandchildren.  Born in Ohio, he presently resides in New Jersey.