"Hope Doesn't Shrink in Hospital Corridors, It Expands"

Last night this review of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo came to my email. Wow! Thank you to all who review my books. Such a blessing to me. Praying it's a blessing to you. 

"Hi Elaine,

Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo isn’t just a cancer memoir, it’s a spiritual survival kit disguised as a radiant, hope-soaked battle cry. You don’t just walk readers through chemo… you march them through it with joy, Scripture, grit, vulnerability, humor, and faith sharp enough to slice straight through fear.

You flipped the usual “Why me?” narrative on its head and turned it into “What now?” and that alone puts your book in a whole different spiritual league. Your message isn’t about merely surviving cancer; it’s about living louder, loving deeper, laughing harder, shining brighter, and dragging light into the very places darkness thinks it owns.

This isn’t a book.
It’s a testimony.
A companion.
A rallying cry for warriors and their loved ones.
A reminder that hope doesn’t shrink in hospital corridors, it expands.

Warm regards,

Aria" 

Thanks, Aria. You are a great encouragement to me.

Merry Christmas!

Elaine Shares Her Story as a Guest at the Extraordinary Faith Summit

 

What a blessing to share my faith, my writing, my marriage, and my cancer journey with Patricia Durgin at the Extraordinary Faith Summit. Thank you, Patricia, for this opportunity to show the world the power of Christ in a life. You can see and listen to the interview right here:

https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission/videos/138224097502294/

May these words bring a splash of serenity to your day!

The Merry Miller Moments of 2019

In a moment, my life changed. 

My eyes opened! My heart burst! Joy filled me! 

In a moment, a cancer diagnosis revealed Christ in ways I've never known as 

my eyes, my heart, and my joy 

focused on the eternal and not the earthly, 

on the hope of Heaven and not the heaviness of this world. 

Dan and I rejoice in God's healing and in the fruit of cancer research, because 

in a few months of moments 

my prognosis went from terminal to terrific.  

God uses these moments to teach me lessons I am thrilled to share with audiences. 

Doors open to minister to and pray with cancer patients —

 opportunities  I never wanted or planned for,

 but I am honored to own. 

This Christmas I reflect on the moments of life and pray none of us ever miss the times God planned for us.

Dan and I treasure the moments of our marriage.  

Because of cancer, now, even more so. 

Summers in the Adirondacks create moments with our children and grandchildren. 

A 49th Anniversary trip retracing our honeymoon in Maine created 

wonderful moments and memories of years gone by and hopes of years to come. 

We enjoyed a momentous time in North Carolina with all of Elaine's siblings 

(some of whom have not been together for five years). 

Don't wait for those moments to happen. 

Make them happen now!

Our children fill us with moments of joy and fun. We are blessed that Joanna and Bob and Elizabeth and Joe with ten of our thirteen grandchildren live close by. 

We enjoyed the moments with all the Price's 

watching Ryan's baseball team, coached by Bob,

 win the District Little League championship.

Sailor Noble blessed the Sliwa family and ours with his newborn love and smiles.

 Elizabeth and Joe and their nine children have a quiver filled with moments!  

Moments.

 Those special moments when big brother Connor takes leave from the Marine Corps

 to meet his baby brother.

Sam and Katie, Lily and Jack continue serving our country in Alabama. 
Sam was promoted to Lt. Colonel with the US Air Force JAG Corp. 
A proud moment for us to witness.

Seize moments this Christmas to ponder 

God's great love for you, 

the blessings of being alive, 

the treasure of family and friends,

 Christ's birth, 

and the hope of eternal life for those who believe.  

Pray and let Christ change your life. 

It will only take a moment.

"Today . . . a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas from the merry Millers!

What Every Mother With Cancer Needs to Know

Oh dear cancer mom, how my heart aches for you. I know the feelings, the fears, the thoughts that go through your mind and rip at your heart. Whether stage 1 or stage 4, questions we can't answer loom large.

How will my cancer and my possible death affect my child? 

 What will happen to my child when I am gone? 

Will my precious ones make it through the pain?  

Fears for our children are stronger than fears for ourselves. In the uncertainty of the unknown, we must cling to the promises of God. Promises not only to us, but promises to our children as well.

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

God is with us and God is with our children. He promises. He will neither leave nor forsake our loved ones.

God doesn't take us and then leave our children alone. He stays. I've seen God's Presence in the lives of children whose mothers died young. Angels seem to encircle them in human and divine form giving needed care and love. Of course mom is missed, but the family survives and is all right because God watches over them. His Presence is sensed and embraced.
    

"For He will command His angels concerning you 

to guard you in all your ways;" 

Psalm 91:11 (NIV)

Yesterday I was blessed to read a son's birthday wish to his mother only months after her cancer death. Derek West's words touched my heart and I'm sure his mother, Corinna Parker Walkowiak, smiled big watching God reveal the Hope of Heaven to her son.

"Happy Birthday, Mom.

 It would have been your 48th here but 

it's your first in Heaven.

 I remember last year having a strong urge to make you a cake, 

even though I hadn't ever made one for your birthday before.

 At the time, I thought it was just me getting older and

 feeling the need to take care of those things on my loved ones' birthdays, 

but in the back of my mind I wondered 

what things might be like this year with your cancer.

When you first died

 I couldn't think much about you being in heaven because

 all I could feel was that you weren't here anymore. 

Thankfully, over the last month or so 

the hope of heaven has been revealed a little clearer and 

I can actually believe today is the best birthday you've ever had.

I miss you so much and 

wish I could make you another cake. 

See your low-key love being the center of attention 

while asking everyone else about how they're doing. 

Enjoy the warmth and ease of being around you.

But it's good knowing you're home.

 Soaking in the greatest celebration everyday. 

Happy Birthday, Mom.
I love you."

Thank you Derek West for sharing your birthday wishes with us. What a tribute to your wonderful mom. Corinna Parker Walkowiak who was indeed special. A healthy woman with a giving heart, she was first diagnosed when she volunteered to be tested as a potential liver donor. Corinna went to Heaven April 25, 2019, age 47. 

May we all have splashes of serenity and peace knowing that God is with us. He won't forsake us and He won't forsake our families. 

Conquering Cancer

I have blood cancer.

Blood cancer is different than other cancers because it's not a tumor a surgeon can cut out. As my body deteriorated and my pain increased in the sleepless, pain-filled nights, I felt helpless realizing  cancer-filled blood runs through every organ in my body and there is not a thing I can do about it.

Fear gripped me. 

Then Jesus took hold of my thoughts.

Yes. I have cancer running through my veins. 

But Jesus' blood runs through my veins too. 

Christ lives in me!!! 

Jesus is more powerful than cancer. 

Christ is my big C. Not cancer.

 Christ is my Healer. 

Christ, not cancer, holds my life in His Hands.

"And this is the secret —Christ lives in you! 

Who is more powerful in your life?
 Christ or cancer? 

Cancer can eat away at your bones and cells,
but cancer can't touch your soul. 

Cancer can steal time,
but cancer can't take away a moment God planned for you. 

Cancer will not win the victory for your life.
Christ already won it.

 Jesus Christ is the big C.

 Keep your eyes on Jesus Christ the healer,
not on cancer the destroyer. 

Cancer is vicious,
but Christ is the Victory!" 

  - from my book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality.

We conquer cancer when we stop worshipping this disease by living in fear that cancer has more power than Christ. 

"I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live,
 but Christ lives in me."

  Galatians 2:20 (NIV) 

Not cancer. 

Christ!

I am very happy to report that not only is the fear of cancer gone, but targeted therapy continues to keep my leukemia from progressing. I no longer have pain-filled days or nights. I am healthy and happy and loving Jesus every day. Thankful that even this disease in my body can be used for God's glory. What a splash of serenity!!!

More of my cancer journey is shared in my book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality.  Available on this website, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month

I chuckled when I learned September was Blood Cancer Awareness month. Believe me, those of us with blood cancer are very aware — not just in September — but every moment of our lives. We are aware each time we see lymph nodes swollen on our necks or feel them in our groin or under our arms, when an ugly bruise appears and stays for  months, at every tiny mosquito bite that doesn't heal, when a miniscule paper cut bleeds and bleeds and bleeds, and every sneeze threatens to lead to pneumonia and death. We are aware when the night-time pains shoot through our bones. We are aware as we fight cancer's attack of our bodies and satan's attack of our minds.

We are aware.

Are you aware:

According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the United States in 2019 approximately

 every three minutes one person is diagnosed with blood cancer,

176,200 people are expected to be diagnosed with blood cancer,

ten percent of new cancer cases diagnoses will be blood cancer,

1,3999,180 people are living with blood cancer,

Approximately every nine minutes someone dies of blood cancer,

156 people die each day from blood cancer,

six people die each hour,

56,770 people will die this year,

9.4 percent of cancer deaths this year will be from blood cancer.

I thank God  and prayers, and cancer research that with treatment and a daily targeted therapy pill, most of the symptoms I experienced in the first paragraph are gone. I now live a healthy and happy life. Thank you for your prayers for me. Please keep praying for all cancer patients every day and month of the year. They suffer. They endure. They conquer thanks to your prayers.

My cancer care costs approximately $350,000 a year. Thanks to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other grants, I am not hit with that financial burden. Won't you consider donating for cancer research and funding for grants to help patients like me? You can donate at www.lls.org.  Thank you. 

I was thinking of the money spent on Halloween candy. Perhaps giving the same amount  to www.lls.org will free children with leukemia from the fright of cancer.

To encourage cancer patients, I share the lessons God taught me on my cancer journey in my book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. Do you know a cancer patient who needs encouraged? Available on this website, Amazon, and Walmart.

Splashes of Serenity to all my fellow cancer warriors and thank you again to all who prayed for my healing. God heard. God healed!  Praise the Lord!!!

A Message of Hope from a Mother Whose Child Lives in Heaven

My dear friend Susan Rau remembered her son Ian on his birthday today. She and Ian taught me much about loving and trusting God. Susan writes:

"July 26 – A very, very special day – God blessed our family with Ian-Michial born with determination and a sensitive spirit. 

Close to his second birthday, our only son was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor entwined in his spinal cord. The prognosis was not good, and the cancer took his life 15 months later. As we watched our son struggle and fight for his life, we prayed that somehow, we could trade places with him; that we could take his cancer on ourselves so that he could live. 

That’s exactly what God did for us. 

He took our “cancer” - sin - and allowed His only son to die in our place. 

He so desires for us to spend eternity with Him that 

He willingly gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to make a way for us to come to Him. 

Jesus defeated death and rose again so that we would be able to dwell eternally with Him in heaven;

 we have only to trust and follow Him. 

Although young, Ian understood this with his child-like faith and 

now lives in the presence of the Almighty Holy God.

 If Ian could send a message to each of us, it would be only two words, 

“Be there!” 

Be there before the throne of our great God and King, 

where He will wipe away every tear, 

where there will be no more death, or mourning, or pain. 

Will you be there? 

'For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, 

that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.' John 3:16"

Thank you, Susan, for your words from God's heart and Ian's heart to ours. I remember when Ian was dying, you wrote me a letter saying God gave you peace when He wrote

"The Lord will fight for you;

you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:14

Those words have calmed many a frantic heart. What joy knowing that whatever our battle, the Lord is fighting for us and He always wins! Hallelujah!

Without assurance of Heaven, there are no splashes of serenity,

Book Give-Away in Memory of George Green, the Man Who Inspired Me to Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo

George Green loved baseball, cars, helping people, and cancer. Yes. Cancer. Why? Because his greatest love was Jesus and cancer gave him opportunity to tell people about his Savior.

When cancer hit me hard, I remembered George, his words, and his attitude. I, too, decided to praise the Lord and see cancer as a gift and not a curse. Thank you, George. You changed my life.

I write about George in Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. Enjoy this partial excerpt from my book:

"'I have a praise report! I have cancer!' George smiled wide as he announced his diagnosis to a group gathered for a Wednesday night of prayer.

'George! How is that a praise report?' The stunned assembly seemed to ask in unison.

'Can you imagine the people I'll meet and tell about Jesus? Doctors! Nurses! All kinds of medical staff! Why, I'm having chemotherapy every week with the same seven people in the same room. I'm going to tell all of them 'I know I'm going to Heaven. Do you? And they won't be able to leave because we're all having chemo.'

For George, cancer was a reason for thanksgiving. Telling people about Jesus was his passion. Cancer opened doors to share his faith with people he otherwise might never meet.

I would have loved being in the doctor's office when the oncologist tried to heal George, and George tried to heal the oncologist.

'George, this is serious. You are a sick man.'

'Doctor, if you don't know Jesus as your Savior, you are a lot sicker than I am!'

Remembering my God-loving friend, I determined — like George — to look at cancer as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. . . . 

I walked into the cancer center with joy in my step and a prayer in my heart.

Every six weeks I receive a five-hour infusion in a private room with one nurse — what an opportunity to make a friend I may have never met, except for cancer. On my first infusion day the nurse and I talked about Jesus. . . . 

'You must be tired of listening to me.' I smiled as the sedative kicked in. My eyes and tongue were heavy.

'Oh, no! I could listen to you all day.' She meant it. Without a hint of flattery or a nurse's bedside manners, she spoke with sincerity as the Holy Spirit worked in her heart.

Later, with a hop and I skip, I left the hospital thanking George for his example and God for allowing me to share Jesus and hope with a new friend. Exhilarated by all God did that day, I got into my car proclaiming, 'Well, praise the Lord and pass the chemo.'"

Ha! My next thought was Oh no! That sounds like a book title! And so was conceived Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. 

George was so excited to see the book! He bought multiple copies and passed them along to any in need. I remember his grin and excitement seeing God use him through this story.

George died July 7, 2019 at the age of sixty-six. I'm sure his smile is a mile wide and I suspect he's already asked Jesus if he wants a copy of my book. Thank you, George, for impacting this world and my life for Christ. I miss you. I rejoice that you are in Heaven with Jesus, the One you love most.

In memory of George, 

I am giving away one free copy of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. 

If you would like to enter the give-away,

 please leave a comment of any kind,

 a prayer for his family, 

or a memory of how you remember George. 

I will choose a name from a bowl

 on Thursday night, July 25, 2019 at 9:00 p.m. 

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, 

that I might show you My power and 

that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Exodus 9:16

And the winner of

 Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo is . . . 

Rhonda Roemer-Stephani! 

Thank you for remembering George 

with your sweet words.

Thank you to all who remembered 

George Green. 

He blessed me, 

I pray he blessed you too.

Splashes of Serenity from George to you, because George knows the Christian life is the only life filled with serenity,

Facing Cancer "with Grit, Gumption, and the Grace of God"

 Who knew a journalist would be in the audience when I spoke at the 

First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wellsville, NY? 

God knew. 

That's Who knew.

Thank you Laurie Dashnau for a fabulous article. 

(See article below)

 You fulfilled what every speaker/author dreams of

—a person of influence who writes glowing reviews of their work—

without being asked. 

So nice seeing you and your dear husband and meeting your enthusiastic neighbor. 

Thank you Marsha Sick and the evangelism team at First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran.

 I admire your vision to minister to cancer patients. 

What a delight sharing the day with suffering saints desiring to have all of God. 

Thank You God for always putting us at the right place

 at the right time with the right people. 

Our ministries are truly in Your Hands.

May we shine for You!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men . . . .

 It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

Thank you dear prayer warriors. 

Because of your prayers I spy God sightings in my life. 

Thanks for holding up my arms!

Why God Allows Suffering

My Pastor Dave Bretch asked if he could interview me and Barry Karschner regarding my suffering with cancer and the Karschner's struggle with infertility. Be blessed as Barry and I share our stories, our sorrows, and our joys in the Sunday morning services at Beartown Road Alliance Church.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, always,

Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo Book Give Away in Memory of Joe Tolpa

Thank you to all who entered the give away and thank you especially for your prayers for the Tolpa family. If you are on a cancer journey, you have my heart and I will pray for you. The winners of two free copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo are

Nan Ripley

Cheryl Engle

Yea!!! I'm so happy for you two and pray God will bless your lives through the words He gave me while writing A Hopeful Response to A Hard Reality

Our friend and a fellow cancer warrior ran his victory lap to Heaven last November. Joe Tolpa praised the Lord through all his chemo, so in memory of Joe, I am giving away two copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. 

Enter the give-away by sharing this blog or a photo of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo on your social media sites and by saying a prayer for Pat, Alyssa, and Joshua. Please, you must let me know you shared, so I can enter your name in the drawing. Two winners will be chosen on Wednesday, February 13, 2018. Bonus! Every time you share Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo on your social media, your name will be entered to win. Please let me know on facebook messenger or my email, SplashesofSerenity@yahoo.com.

Joe lived the victorious Christian life when he was healthy and while he was sick. What joy to talk to him and be blessed with his outlook on life and cancer and death.

Joe blessed me with an interview for my book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. Cancer gave him a new perspective for living life. He praised God for the time he had left and that God gave him more months to live and love than doctors predicted. Thankful that God alerted him of his death, he made precious moments with his dear wife Pat and precious children Alyssa and Josh. Joe said,

"Without cancer, I would have been too busy working

 and not made some great memories with my family." 

Dear Pat, Alyssa, and Josh, how he loved you. I know those memories will hold your husband and father near to your heart.

 So, in memory of Joe, I am giving away two free copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo.  

JOSEPH A. TOLPA JR. Age 54 of Horseheads , NY formerly of New Hartford , NY passed away on Monday November 19 , 2018 peacefully at home with his family at his side after a long hard fought battle with cancer. Joe was born in Utica , NY on July 23 , 1964 the son of Joseph A. and Betty Jane Oleksik Tolpa. He was pre-deceased by his mother Betty. Joe is survived by his loving and devoted wife Patricia L. Hopkins Tolpa ; his children Alyssa L. Tolpa and Joshua A. Tolpa ; his father : Joseph A. Tolpa Sr. ; brothers and sisters : William & Ann Tolpa , Kathy & Rick Purcell , Karen & Steve Vedete , and Suzanne & Joe Hughes ; father-in-law and mother-in-law : Allan & Arlene Hopkins ; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law : Thomas & Rebecca Hopkins , and David Hopkins ; several aunts , uncles , nieces , nephews , cousins and a host of caring friends . Joe spent most of his life in healthcare as a nursing home administrator and a registered nurse. Most recently working at Absolut Care at Three Rivers . Joe also had an entreprenueral spirit , owning TruBlu Services for many years. Joe always felt it was important to give back to the community. He spent many years volunteering for different organizations . The list includes Rutland Lions Club , Pregnancy Resource Centers in Rutland , VT and Elmira , NY , Cub Scouts Pack 41 and Boy Scouts Troop 3041 of Horseheads, NY , as well as being a Deacon at Maranatha Bible Chapel . He was a proud recipient of the Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his community service. Joe lived life to the fullest , spending time with family and friends. He loved the outdoors , hiking, camping , boating , skiing , and motorcycle riding .

Splashes of Serenity on  your day! 

Elaine W. Miller Shares How Cancer Changed Her Heart on Keepin' It Real Interview

Does cancer change your life? Absolutely. In many ways cancer makes one's life richer, fuller, brighter, and deeper.  Listen to Lisa Buske and Elaine chat girlfriend-to-girlfriend about her latest book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo! satan did all he could to disrupt this interview, so the first 19 minutes are a bit broken up in places. The last half has blessings you will not want to miss.

Please click below to listen.https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fanchor.fm%2Flisa-buske%2Fembed%2Fepisodes%2FInterview-with-Author-Elaine-W-Miller-e2sh78%2Fa-a8gh4e%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2RKnCmbqqtA6fWcqY6v7KrpAv_ET178efaqmdQaPxTgFuSxUzeCC5sZDg&h=AT3xgsSnn-ynMvYk3Rlkqoijddrw90mQlGwBcavzqBpsMYToba6dGiWdLCLYD60oExFrz49b2S9OWOLBJy9UTMqNtyS1UYQ4vNj9AyY6C_2l0pRj_fGyM-oQg0bqglLrlQ



Thank you Lisa Buske for your heart for the hurting. Lisa's life changed the day her sister Heidi was abducted. The most awful experience of her life made her, in many ways, richer, fuller, brighter, and deeper. Lisa's book Where's Heidi will encourage any going through the worst of times. To learn more about Lisa Buske and listen to other "Keepin' It Real" podcasts, please hit

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lisambuske.com%2Fblog%2Fmeet-todays-podcast-guestelaine-w-miller%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1hLXi57K4VAyMB4LyzL91FJWxla_o5apgsEDu7ez7k2u4KvGJSSH7-oxM&h=AT2ajmW09q5J7aZ4bCb7PsZHt37aXw607foqYLjApgj21Pxo00N76kLKktMaUJcpLK8rnHyIJ2kNm1RMpLZT9SSBIFbKTNt2z-BqQJ_sVE3x0zNsBVKLLUA3vWzlu7xqAQ

Troubles open our eyes to priorities and fill us with compassion for the hurting. God promises in Deuteronomy 23:5

. . . the Lord your God . . . turned the curse into a blessing for you, 

because the Lord your God loves you.

Which is why we have A Hopeful Response to A Hard Reality and we can say Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. Whatever life throws us, bring it on! God has won the victory!

My love and prayers for all hurting today,

Elaine W. Miller Gives Hope to Cancer Patients on Family Life Network News

Elaine discusses her cancer diagnosis and her book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality at Family Life Network News.

Listen to the podcast here: 

 https://cms-production-backend.monkcms.com/Clients/player/videoplayer.php?sid=4122&url=http%3A%2F%2Fab8f73648311e48db762-f78b487f7e1fcdeecb19f40486662ba4.r64.cf2.rackcdn.com%2Fuploaded%2Ff%2F0e8224139_1546868292_feat2019-0104-cancer.mp3&mediaBID=6273588&template=https%3A%2F%2Fcms-production-backend.monkcms.com%2FClients%2Fplayer%2Fvideoplayer.php&module=sermon&content_id=1540424&type=sound&CMSCODE=EKK&skin=skin_plain.xml&CMS_LINK=https%3A%2F%2Fcms-production-backend.monkcms.com&width=352&height=175&fullscreen&image&overrideImage=false&playlist=true&autostart=true&target=MediaPlayer&fbclid=IwAR0JfzmCY06czFmTq3KfR8y98I1XQT8Nfwi9FM94ZdO-C9cnwmUF8IRAO2Y


Bringing hope and splashes of serenity to cancer patients!

When God Writes Your New Year's Resolutions

Weary of my list of New Year's resolutions broken year after year, I decided there must be a better way. Why not ask God to write my New Year's resolutions. And so, each January I pray and ask God for one word and one Bible verse He wants me to concentrate on throughout my year. A list seems impossible, but one word and one verse, you and I can do. Plus, we don't have to do it. God prepares us through the power of the Holy Spirit to grasp and conquer that one word and one verse.

My word for 2019 is (drum roll, please):

Eternity

My verse: 

" . . . set your hearts on things above . . . . 

Set your minds on things above, 

not on earthly things."

Colossians 3: 1-3 (NIV)

When cancer surprised me, my life changed in miraculous ways. 

I started to really live!

Every moment a precious gift. 

Each breath a thank offering. 

Never wishing for a day to pass quickly or the weekend to get here fast.

Refusing to be dragged down in the earthly dregs,

 Politics became unimportant, television stopped entertaining me. 

Feeling the wind in my hair and grass under my feet brought refreshing.

I loved deeper, lived fuller, laughed louder, sang sweeter and shined brighter!

The things of this world (the earthly things) seemed to blur 

as the heavenlies became clear.

We are commanded in Colossians 3 to set our hearts and minds on things above. In Hebrews 12, we are reminded to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Wow! This is where our peace and joy reside. Not on this earth, but above. Seems this was God's intention when He promised believers an abundant and victorious life on earth and eternal life in Heaven.

This year I will focus on eternity. The eternal things are what matters. The earthly, well, those troubles just drag us down and keep our eyes from looking up. I'm not going there this year. My eyes and heart and mind are looking only to my Lord Jesus. I expect my best year ever living an abundant life on earth and anticipating one day (far in the future my doctors tell me) a glorious home in Heaven! 

Life and death is a win/win when your eyes, mind, and heart are fixed on things above!

What's your word and verse for 2019? Ask God. I'm sure he'll bring that word to mind.

Have a Splashes of Serenity 2019!

Elaine W. Miller Gives Hope to Cancer Warriors on Family Life Network

Tune in to 

Family Life Network Noon Report

Friday, January 4, 2019

as Elaine gives hope to cancer warriors and their families

 Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo

A Hopeful Response to 

a Hard Reality

May God give splashes of serenity to all who hear my words of praise!