The following is part of Inheritance of Hope co-founder Kristen Milligan's Bible study series. If your church, Bible study, team, or group has interest in experiencing together this study from Kristen's unique perspective as a nine-year cancer survivor, simply contact Aaron@InheritanceOfHope.org.

I have come across many people in the past several years who talk excitedly about a very exclusive club -- the Cancer Club. There is no ID card or dues expected when you are a member of this club. There are no official meetings, no speakers, no banquets.  The only requirement to join is an unexpected and dreaded diagnosis. It is, in essence, an imaginary club with very real members. Members who are hurting and afraid.

I have always found talk about this club a bit odd. I was resistant to joining, but apparently once you qualify you have no choice.

After recalibrating their regard for the holiness of God and the ark, David leads Israel by bringing the ark into Jerusalem.  David knows how to make an entrance!  2 Samuel 6:12-19 and 1 Chronicles 15-16 depict an exuberant celebration.  There are many instruments making music, singers, sacrifices, offerings, free food, and a scantily clad king.

2 Samuel 6 is not often cited as a favorite Bible story.  It features God killing a well-intentioned man, an immodestly dressed and wildly dancing king, and a fierce marital spat.  Could such a story have any value for us today?

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a story which has become widely known, even beyond Christian circles.  The basic plot is this.  A traveler is attacked half to death and left on the road; two religious leaders pass by, but an outsider has compassion and helps the left-for-dead traveler.  The basic point of this basic plot is to demonstrate the nature of neighborly compassion.

This, of course, is an important lesson, but the story is too rich to be left at this familiar level.  

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Many of us would prefer a life that is not subject to extremes, yet some of us cannot avoid extremes, even if we try. When I was 5 my father was diagnosed with leukemia.

Kristen Milligan's Testimony (Joy and Peace Through Suffering) from Skyland United Methodist Church on Vimeo.

I used to attend a class at a local gym called "Power."  We did dynamic weight lifting and by the end of the class almost every muscle in my body was shaking.  After weeks of training, I started seeing real results!  I could lift my kids and carry big bags of groceries with ease.  My back hurt less and I had more energy.

Who doesn’t love a quick fix? 

I feel extraordinarily thankful to be here this Christmas with my husband and my children.  There was a moment a few months ago when I wasn't sure ... so much so that my Christmas shopping was complete in early September.