Of all the people who suffer, it is our spouses who bare a horrible burden and may never speak of it. The truth is that whether it is terminal cancer or some other type of illness that is terminal, 70% of marriage dissolve within the first year when their partner has been diagnosed.
Only a handful survive and are intact after two years.
The spouse of a person that is terminal must strike a careful balance, but it has been my experience that illness only magnifies what is already present in the marriage.
I read a story about a man who was dying - he was from the Northeast.
The man and his wife, were pretty much at each other's throat and sniped at each other during the stays in the hospital.
He would say things to her such as 'you didn't use to do...' or 'you use to dress a certain way...'
These were comments showing his disapproval and desire for things to return to how they once were.
Instead of attempting to allow him to relive happier times as his date with deity approached, his wife returned the volley of fire with her own comments - only they were much more sharp.
She would say things referring to his impending death and wishing aloud that he would 'go ahead and get it over with.'
She would also wonder aloud about the future by asking who would want a widow with an 8 and 10 year old pair of boys.
In our marriages, when we are dying, or a tragedy strikes - it only magnifies what is already present. Whatever lies under the surface will come to the surface and will be multiplied greatly.
The truth about a person who is dying is that healing, as I have been healed, is only one resolution to the sickness. The other resolution which is far more common, is death.
And for those of us who are healed, the simple fact is that we have only delayed our impending death.
It is still coming - God just stayed the execution date for a little while.
When I was dying and was expected to die - the greatest support I had was definitely my wife. I realize not everybody is as blessed as I am in this arena, but I would say that the most important support role is in our spouses.
Certainly my family played a role, my mother larger than my siblings.
My wife's family didn't really play any role at all - truthfully, they haven't contacted me and haven't spoken with me since I was diagnosed or since I've been healed. Which I do find odd.
Our church was a fantastic support; although the state convention were slackers.
And the Air Force, both Guard and Active Duty brothers and sisters - they were great and still support Chaplain Jack.
But overall, it was my wife who played the largest role of support. And that's how it should be.
In the palm of our spouses truly is the will to live for the one who suffers.
The situation I described above with the man and his wife - why in the world would a man desire to live with his wife making comments such as this? (If he'd actually lived, he'd probably left her.)
But, on the other hand, we must also be cautious of the other extreme - too much 'helping.'
The spouses of terminal patients must strike an unfamiliar balance between 'helping' their loved one and 'helping' too much to the point where the person feels a loss of control.
The person you love who is terminal does not get to eat when they want, they do not get to sleep when they want, if in a hospital - other people remove fluids from their body without permission and give them pills they 'must' take.
Your loved one already has lost a ton of control in their life; if you love them, be careful not to add to the emotional and psychological pain.
It is a delicate balance; it is a hard balance - but you may bring more hope in these small things through your actions than anybody else because you are closer to them than anyone else.
And you would be surprised how far a little shot of hope will go to a person who is going to die.
Drug companies use double blind drug tests. If doctors know which drug is the placebo and which is the real drug, it will skew the results. The reason is because of the power of human hope. Without thinking, doctors will naturally and unknowingly skew the results because they will believe the patient will recover.
The human hope factor is real and it is effective.
If you are the spouse of a terminal patient - you, in your actions, words and projections can bring more healing in hope than you can ever realize.
Today, you have been given another day of life with the one you love; be thankful for this day because it does bring hope for tomorrow.
One man rightly stated:
"I do not look upon each day as another day closer to death, but as another day of life, to be appreciated and enjoyed."
If you can see yourself as a person who is ministering to the one you love, the hope you bring to their hearts and minds will lead them to living another day 'to be appreciated and enjoyed.'
While modern Christianity has an emphasis on 'what can you do for me' in this instant, I would point you to a greater hope beyond what you and I can bring - it is the hope of the resurrection.
In our age, we have become ashamed of speaking of immortality, the rewards to come and the resurrection to life - but what greater hope is there to man who's body has deteriorated because of cancer, or to a couple who lost their infant child, or of a brain-damaged teenager?
What greater hope is there than restoration to things how they ought to be?
There is none.
Jesus Christ is the greatest hope you and I could have in this life or in the next.
As you, the spouse of the person who is terminal provides hope; pray that you will not be timid to speak of the eternal hope in Christ.
Hope of eternal healing and perfection after death is a worth hope for all people.
Until next time, try to win one for the good guys.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Where is God When We Hurt?
Many years ago, Philip Yancey authored a book entitled, 'Where is God when it hurts?'
And that's a good question.
It's a question every person who has ever suffered in any way would like to know the answer. It is a question anyone, at this moment, dealing with pain would like to know the answer to.
It is a question often asked but rarely answered to any real satisfaction.
When asked, the average Christian is left with repeating worn out cliches that usually aren't true to explain the will and acts of God in a given situation. But this question - 'Where is God when it hurts,' invites an onslaught of other questions to which answers are just as elusive.
For example, if God is just, holy and loves all, especially children as evidenced by Jesus, why would God allow for a world of sick children? Or starving children? Or dying children?
And many of those children in those situations aren't backed by a social service system in their government; in reality, they have no money and no hope. Why would God allow such a thing? Where is He? Does God even care?
This is not a philosophical problem, but a real problem in our real world.
And it is not enough for preachers or pastors to speak for God, or try to explain what God is doing.
NO. This will not work.
What we want and what we need is for God to come and see our situation for Himself, understand what's really going on and do something about it.
And that is exactly what God did in the person of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Amazingly, when Jesus did come to show the world that God did care, do you know what they said?
'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?'
It was an ancient ethnic joke of immediate rejection, and while the person who said these words would become His disciple, the rejection Jesus faced forced Him from religious power circles.
In society's rejection, Jesus did what we should do in our age - He gravitated towards other rejects.
He dined with tax collectors, touched lepers and kept company with prostitutes and sinners.
All the while, He fully understood our sin and condition in His humanity, but He Himself was never tainted by our depravity.
And an amazing thing occurred while He was ministering among the lepers, hookers, tax collectors and other sinners - the disciples never once asked Him, 'Does God Care?'
Not once.
The reason is because they could see the answer in their midst.
God in flesh was demonstrating His love and care for the world. As much as they would let Him, He would give of Himself.
In Jesus, God did not give us words or theories or philosophies about the problem of pain and suffering. He gave us...HIMSELF.
Words may provide encouragement for a while, but their memory soon fades.
Philosophy may explain difficult problems, but it has no power to change the problem itself.
In Jesus, through His Gospel, God gives us the change we so desire.
Often well-meaning but misguided believers will say things to people that they think is helping them, but it really only makes it hurt worse. For example, a person who has lost hearing in one ear, we don't try to encourage them by saying, 'Well, be thankful you still have sight in both eyes.'
We shouldn't try to explain God's plan or will for their life.
We shouldn't try to blame personal sin on the ailment.
We also shouldn't tell people all they need is more faith and they'll not be sick (This one was told to me.)
The truth is that Jesus did not sin and yet, He felt pain, He suffered and He died. We are not exempt from that tragedy in our lives.
In Gethsemane, on His knees praying just before He would stand trial and be crucified, Jesus did not pray, "Oh, Lord God, thank you for this opportunity to suffer...'
In that time of prayer in the Garden, Jesus struggled with fear, helplessness and hope.
Are these not the same things each of us struggle with when we are faced with trials and tragedy? But the Christian has one advantage over the world - it is the Resurrection.
Though we may be struck down by sickness in this life, we will rise again in Christ.
The question for us should not be - 'Where is God when it hurts?'
The question should be - 'Where is the Church when it hurts?'
We are the Body of Christ, His hands in a hurting world; we are the people saved by grace with the grand hope of the resurrection - we are the ones that should be lifting up the fallen, sustaining the sick and ministering to those families whose loved ones are dying.
The truth is that the Church is the Body of Christ and if we, those of us on the front lines in a hurting world, if we would act more like Jesus and attempt to minister more like Jesus - nobody would have to ask, 'Does God Care?'
They would be able to see it through the life we lived.
While I was sick and expecting to die, the one thing I sought to combat in my ten year-old son was the fact that I was going to die and God may not intervene.
I did not want him to be angry with God if I died. I forced this conversation with him several times, trying to get him to understand that if I died, it wasn't God's fault - it was just something that sometimes happens and that I couldn't really explain it.
I'm thankful that we never had to find out if my words were anchored in his heart. God healed me, but the healing is not an end within itself - it should be a call to action, an opportunity to minister to others the way I have received His ministry through the Holy Spirit and His children.
And maybe that's the answer - instead of letting these ideas of abandonment from God dwell among us, maybe we as Christians need to take the fight to the mind of those who need to hear a word from the Lord.
Where is the Church when it hurts?
Sadly, many times we are absent from those who need it the most.
Remember, we are God's Army, we are soldiers for Christ - Let us not retreat but touch the hurting and rescue the perishing.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
And that's a good question.
It's a question every person who has ever suffered in any way would like to know the answer. It is a question anyone, at this moment, dealing with pain would like to know the answer to.
It is a question often asked but rarely answered to any real satisfaction.
When asked, the average Christian is left with repeating worn out cliches that usually aren't true to explain the will and acts of God in a given situation. But this question - 'Where is God when it hurts,' invites an onslaught of other questions to which answers are just as elusive.
For example, if God is just, holy and loves all, especially children as evidenced by Jesus, why would God allow for a world of sick children? Or starving children? Or dying children?
And many of those children in those situations aren't backed by a social service system in their government; in reality, they have no money and no hope. Why would God allow such a thing? Where is He? Does God even care?
This is not a philosophical problem, but a real problem in our real world.
And it is not enough for preachers or pastors to speak for God, or try to explain what God is doing.
NO. This will not work.
What we want and what we need is for God to come and see our situation for Himself, understand what's really going on and do something about it.
And that is exactly what God did in the person of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Amazingly, when Jesus did come to show the world that God did care, do you know what they said?
'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?'
It was an ancient ethnic joke of immediate rejection, and while the person who said these words would become His disciple, the rejection Jesus faced forced Him from religious power circles.
In society's rejection, Jesus did what we should do in our age - He gravitated towards other rejects.
He dined with tax collectors, touched lepers and kept company with prostitutes and sinners.
All the while, He fully understood our sin and condition in His humanity, but He Himself was never tainted by our depravity.
And an amazing thing occurred while He was ministering among the lepers, hookers, tax collectors and other sinners - the disciples never once asked Him, 'Does God Care?'
Not once.
The reason is because they could see the answer in their midst.
God in flesh was demonstrating His love and care for the world. As much as they would let Him, He would give of Himself.
In Jesus, God did not give us words or theories or philosophies about the problem of pain and suffering. He gave us...HIMSELF.
Words may provide encouragement for a while, but their memory soon fades.
Philosophy may explain difficult problems, but it has no power to change the problem itself.
In Jesus, through His Gospel, God gives us the change we so desire.
Often well-meaning but misguided believers will say things to people that they think is helping them, but it really only makes it hurt worse. For example, a person who has lost hearing in one ear, we don't try to encourage them by saying, 'Well, be thankful you still have sight in both eyes.'
We shouldn't try to explain God's plan or will for their life.
We shouldn't try to blame personal sin on the ailment.
We also shouldn't tell people all they need is more faith and they'll not be sick (This one was told to me.)
The truth is that Jesus did not sin and yet, He felt pain, He suffered and He died. We are not exempt from that tragedy in our lives.
In Gethsemane, on His knees praying just before He would stand trial and be crucified, Jesus did not pray, "Oh, Lord God, thank you for this opportunity to suffer...'
In that time of prayer in the Garden, Jesus struggled with fear, helplessness and hope.
Are these not the same things each of us struggle with when we are faced with trials and tragedy? But the Christian has one advantage over the world - it is the Resurrection.
Though we may be struck down by sickness in this life, we will rise again in Christ.
The question for us should not be - 'Where is God when it hurts?'
The question should be - 'Where is the Church when it hurts?'
We are the Body of Christ, His hands in a hurting world; we are the people saved by grace with the grand hope of the resurrection - we are the ones that should be lifting up the fallen, sustaining the sick and ministering to those families whose loved ones are dying.
The truth is that the Church is the Body of Christ and if we, those of us on the front lines in a hurting world, if we would act more like Jesus and attempt to minister more like Jesus - nobody would have to ask, 'Does God Care?'
They would be able to see it through the life we lived.
While I was sick and expecting to die, the one thing I sought to combat in my ten year-old son was the fact that I was going to die and God may not intervene.
I did not want him to be angry with God if I died. I forced this conversation with him several times, trying to get him to understand that if I died, it wasn't God's fault - it was just something that sometimes happens and that I couldn't really explain it.
I'm thankful that we never had to find out if my words were anchored in his heart. God healed me, but the healing is not an end within itself - it should be a call to action, an opportunity to minister to others the way I have received His ministry through the Holy Spirit and His children.
And maybe that's the answer - instead of letting these ideas of abandonment from God dwell among us, maybe we as Christians need to take the fight to the mind of those who need to hear a word from the Lord.
Where is the Church when it hurts?
Sadly, many times we are absent from those who need it the most.
Remember, we are God's Army, we are soldiers for Christ - Let us not retreat but touch the hurting and rescue the perishing.
Scripture: 1 John 3:16-1816 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Rally Point
I imagine one of the most thought of propositions when someone is dealing with death or dying themselves is 'What is the purpose to this?'
That's a good question. That's a tough question.
What is the purpose to pain and suffering that individuals endure?
In life, there is some pain and some suffering we readily believe is acceptable. When a person plays football, we expect a fair level of pain. When a person goes through Basic Training, we accept the fact that their Drill Sergeant is going to make them suffer to a degree.
But mostly, we can only see the negative side in suffering; we don't think of the above examples, we tend to think of a child born with mental retardation or some other birth defect.
And when confronted with the issue of pain and suffering, survivors like me reflect on all that has happened and wonder - 'What is the meaning of suffering that never goes away?'
To me, the meaning of pain and suffering ought to be the rallying point of the church.
If the resurrection of Jesus Christ is truly the greatest event that has ever happened and offers hope to one and all, then there is an eternal hope that says to us 'no level of pain or suffering is too great for Christ to conquer.'
The church then, as a consequence, reflect this proposition.
The church has been chosen by Christ to be on the front lines in a hurting world; and yet, many times those who are suffering are the focus of our judgment and scorn rather than our compassion.
Rather than an individual Christian trying to explain why a person has leprosy or terminal cancer, we should respond as Christ responded - with compassion and love.
And if you have ever seen such an act, the results are amazing.
Several years ago, a research group at John's Hopkins performed an experiment involving two rats. One rat was dropped into a bucket of water from which it could not escape.
Rat #1 splashed around and thrashed for more than 60 hours before it gave up and died. Amazing - 60 hours of non-stop thrashing; he wouldn't give up until exhausted.
Rat #2 was quite different.
With Rat #2, he was held in a person's hand before putting him in the bucket. The more the rat squirmed, the tighter the human held it; this heightened the rat's sense of helplessness and it continued until the rat stopped squirming.
Rat #2 was then dropped into the same amount of water.
Rat #2 gave up and died in just a few minutes.
Rat #2 had been trained to give up.
As much as we might hate to admit it, our hospitals and medical facilities train us to become much like Rat #2 and we give up far too easily.
When I was diagnosed six months ago, I was determined that if I was to die then I would go down fighting. It did not matter to me what the outlook was, I was going to be pragmatic about it but I was also going to do whatever it took to stay alive.
Not everybody responds this way; in fact, most are inadvertently encouraged to give up.
The truth is that hospitals, nursing homes and the medical establishment tends to immobilize not only the body of the patient but the spirit as well.
Think about it.
A patient lies confined to a bed with high-powered medication skewing reality, he can't work, fluids are routinely taken out of his body, he is shut off from most relationships he has had, food, water and hygiene is controlled by someone they don't know and depression looms around the corner because of their condition.
And that helpless feeling only increases when the patient only has pain to think about.
In reality, what we are telling people in this type of condition is that they should give up.
But this is where the church should stand up and rally.
Those of us within the church who have suffered, even terminally so and have lived, we ought to be the ones helping those that are in pain, suffering or who are terminal - FIGHT!
We ought to be the people who look at sickness from the standpoint of victory in the end.
Philip Yancy once commented that if he owned a 'get well card' company, his cards would say, 'Congratulations to the 98 Trillion cells in your body that are still working smoothly and effectively!!'
As the church, with the greatest hope in the greatest person who has ever lived, we should be the people who are able to see those who are in pain and suffering and not see a sick person; rather, we should see a person of worth and value - who just happens to have a few parts not functioning well.
This is the responsibility of the Church.
As for the one who is suffering, or in pain, or even dying - your job is to fight.
You see, suffering is not beneficial within itself; we must fight because - what really counts is how we react to the suffering we face in life.
That is our real test and we must face the fight with courage and strength - which is best done if you Christ in your heart and in your life.
As for the one who has suffered and survived but believes they cannot help others - you are wrong. There is no more effective healer than a wounded healer; for in the process of helping others, our own scars seem to fade away.
A person who has suffered and lived to tell about it will not look inward, but outward and become the hands of God in the world so that others may come to know Him.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
That's a good question. That's a tough question.
What is the purpose to pain and suffering that individuals endure?
In life, there is some pain and some suffering we readily believe is acceptable. When a person plays football, we expect a fair level of pain. When a person goes through Basic Training, we accept the fact that their Drill Sergeant is going to make them suffer to a degree.
But mostly, we can only see the negative side in suffering; we don't think of the above examples, we tend to think of a child born with mental retardation or some other birth defect.
And when confronted with the issue of pain and suffering, survivors like me reflect on all that has happened and wonder - 'What is the meaning of suffering that never goes away?'
To me, the meaning of pain and suffering ought to be the rallying point of the church.
If the resurrection of Jesus Christ is truly the greatest event that has ever happened and offers hope to one and all, then there is an eternal hope that says to us 'no level of pain or suffering is too great for Christ to conquer.'
The church then, as a consequence, reflect this proposition.
The church has been chosen by Christ to be on the front lines in a hurting world; and yet, many times those who are suffering are the focus of our judgment and scorn rather than our compassion.
Rather than an individual Christian trying to explain why a person has leprosy or terminal cancer, we should respond as Christ responded - with compassion and love.
And if you have ever seen such an act, the results are amazing.
Several years ago, a research group at John's Hopkins performed an experiment involving two rats. One rat was dropped into a bucket of water from which it could not escape.
Rat #1 splashed around and thrashed for more than 60 hours before it gave up and died. Amazing - 60 hours of non-stop thrashing; he wouldn't give up until exhausted.
Rat #2 was quite different.
With Rat #2, he was held in a person's hand before putting him in the bucket. The more the rat squirmed, the tighter the human held it; this heightened the rat's sense of helplessness and it continued until the rat stopped squirming.
Rat #2 was then dropped into the same amount of water.
Rat #2 gave up and died in just a few minutes.
Rat #2 had been trained to give up.
As much as we might hate to admit it, our hospitals and medical facilities train us to become much like Rat #2 and we give up far too easily.
When I was diagnosed six months ago, I was determined that if I was to die then I would go down fighting. It did not matter to me what the outlook was, I was going to be pragmatic about it but I was also going to do whatever it took to stay alive.
Not everybody responds this way; in fact, most are inadvertently encouraged to give up.
The truth is that hospitals, nursing homes and the medical establishment tends to immobilize not only the body of the patient but the spirit as well.
Think about it.
A patient lies confined to a bed with high-powered medication skewing reality, he can't work, fluids are routinely taken out of his body, he is shut off from most relationships he has had, food, water and hygiene is controlled by someone they don't know and depression looms around the corner because of their condition.
And that helpless feeling only increases when the patient only has pain to think about.
In reality, what we are telling people in this type of condition is that they should give up.
But this is where the church should stand up and rally.
Those of us within the church who have suffered, even terminally so and have lived, we ought to be the ones helping those that are in pain, suffering or who are terminal - FIGHT!
We ought to be the people who look at sickness from the standpoint of victory in the end.
Philip Yancy once commented that if he owned a 'get well card' company, his cards would say, 'Congratulations to the 98 Trillion cells in your body that are still working smoothly and effectively!!'
As the church, with the greatest hope in the greatest person who has ever lived, we should be the people who are able to see those who are in pain and suffering and not see a sick person; rather, we should see a person of worth and value - who just happens to have a few parts not functioning well.
This is the responsibility of the Church.
As for the one who is suffering, or in pain, or even dying - your job is to fight.
You see, suffering is not beneficial within itself; we must fight because - what really counts is how we react to the suffering we face in life.
That is our real test and we must face the fight with courage and strength - which is best done if you Christ in your heart and in your life.
As for the one who has suffered and survived but believes they cannot help others - you are wrong. There is no more effective healer than a wounded healer; for in the process of helping others, our own scars seem to fade away.
A person who has suffered and lived to tell about it will not look inward, but outward and become the hands of God in the world so that others may come to know Him.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Glorious Intruder
A man named Paul Tournier once researched 300 leaders from world history.
He was searching for a common thread among them, regardless of the fact that they came from different cultures, different continents and some of them were of different races.
His list included George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Alexander the Great, Golda Meir, Napoleon, and even Fidel Castro. Tournier found the thread he was looking for - they were all orphans; either physically orphaned or emotionally in their lives.
In our day, we are told for the best possible results of a child, that child must be nurtured to the best of our abilities, have a stable home, 'normal' parents and a good education. Yet, here is a list of 300 men and women who literally changed the course of history and impacted the world beyond their lives, some to this very day, all of whom had less than ideal circumstances and some who had horrible circumstances.
How can this be?
The answer is that any situation is not the final word as to the outcome. In this case, being orphaned was not the determining factor because these leaders, early in life, bucked up and worked hard - overcoming their personal, difficult circumstances.
One of the things that I have learned about my situation is that the same is true with one who is in pain and suffers.
Truthfully, the only people who can rightly speak of suffering are those who suffer themselves; each person who does endure suffering, endures it in a way that is as unique as it is mysterious.
We often ask in our time of pain if God is responsible or if He is some cosmic sadist who desires suffering on His creatures.
Because of what we know of God's character, the simple answer is no, He is not the causation nor does He desire His creatures to suffer.
Although many Christians suffer, I am convinced that my suffering was as repulsive to God as it was to me.
Yet, this being true, many Christians will disallow the thought of a transforming value in our personal suffering.
Biblically, Job, Habakkuk and Jeremiah each saw the worst of what the world had to offer and they continued to believe regardless of the fact that at times, it made little sense to them to continue in the faith.
They came to understand what we in the modern era should learn to understand - real faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.
And if you look at our pain and suffering as Christians in this light, it can rightly be described as a glorious intruder; one who causes pain in our lives, while at the same time teaching us and drawing us nearer to God. Although we rightly see a darkness in suffering, there is also a divine dignity within the one who suffers because of what he endures and what he learns.
Throughout my ministry, I have sat next to countless hospital beds with families enduring the suffering of a loved one. Yet, there have been some things learned only by being in that hospital bed, in pain and pronounced 'terminal.'
From this experience, I am going to share a few truths that I have learned; all influenced by other Christians who have likewise suffered and recorded what God shared with them.
1. Suffering is the great Equalizer in life.
- Christians often say that the only place we are equal is at the foot of the Cross - and there is some truth in this statement. But I would argue the same is true for suffering because pain, disease, inflictions, and even sometimes the issues that cause divorces show no favorites and can strike anyone.
- The one positive to this equalizer is that when a person is in great pain and is suffering, whether it be from cancer or a divorce, you realize the need for true redemption in life.
2. To the Suffering, the Gospel is Good News, not a Threat.
- One of the age old false condemnations of Christianity is that it is negative; what is true is that Christianity is the greatest hope in the world but individual Christians have turned it into a threat. For example, 'Believe in Jesus or you will fry in Hell..!'
That's what I mean by taking the greatest hope and turning it into a threat.
- When one is in pain or suffering, there is no exaggerated sense of self-importance. A person learns in that time the difference between real fears and imagined fears. You begin to be able to distinguish in every area of your life the difference between necessities and luxuries.
And if you are a Christian, as you read the Gospel, you can see the hope written on every page - not for the scholar, but for the one who is in the most difficult time of their life.
- It is for this reason that I am convinced that those who suffer have a blessed advantage (spiritually) over those who have never known real pain in their lives. When a person suffers he is lacking something; those that do not are able to get by comfortably with their natural gifts and are self-sufficient.
A person who suffers MUST be dependent on others. It is in this dependence where we find a greater blessing for we find a greater grace. In other words, the weaker we feel, the harder we lean on Him.
Without suffering there is no dependence; without dependence there is no grace.
3. Those that Suffer Respond to Gospel Call Better.
- I am convinced the reason I was able to function considerable well during my time of suffering was because I realized I had so little left to lose. I was told that I was dying; soon, everything would be taken from me, I would lose control over everything in my life and then I would lose my life itself.
- As a response to that fact, I decided to do all I possibly could to honor God, my family and my church until I could not speak or write any longer. Consequently, it was from this notion from which this blog was born.
I have come to learn that people who suffer respond to the Gospel call for totality because there is so little left for them to lose.
4. It's the Fight, Not the Venue.
- Suffering does not seem to be beneficial in and of itself, it is what a person does with that suffer; it is how a person reacts to it. In my case, I chose to fight until my last breath as many rightly do.
And in this fight, your body is the venue and we do not know in advance how God will take the tragedy we are experiencing and transform it into a triumph.
But if we do not fight, we will never know because we will rob God of a glorious opportunity to use us as His glorious vessel.
- Many who read this blog either are suffering themselves with something medically or they know someone who is - I pray daily God gives me the words to bring encouragement to you as so many were used by God to encourage me. But I digress.
If you are suffering, if you are in pain, regardless of what the cause of it is - don't give up - fight.
Remember, His strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Corrie ten Boom was a Christian, a mere child when she was arrested by the Nazis in Holland. Her crime - sheltering Jews. As a result, she and her family were enemies of the state and sent to a German death camp.
Much has been written on those camps, there is no need to recount the horrors of that time here. It is enough to say she saw evil incarnate as she struggled to live at the foot of the Cross.
In those camps she learned a truth that can strengthen anyone who suffers:
'However deep the pit, God's love is deeper still.'
In my time of suffering, as I believed I was hanging somewhere between life and death; I realized God had been hanging too - He hung on the Cross of Calvary.
Instead of the comfort of Heaven, instead of turning a deaf ear to the poverty, affliction and pain of the earth, He chose in Jesus to come in flesh and die as an innocent victim in my place.
Hebrews teaches us in our difficult times we are to 'fix our eyes' on Jesus...
"who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..."
-Heb 12:2 (NASB95)
What is the 'joy' the author speaks of?
The joy is the redemption of man, which is why Jesus died in the first place.
But if you take it a step further, the 'joy' is the resurrection - where Jesus Christ would defeat death once and for all.
For, if you believe in Him and trust by faith in His work, though you may one day die - you will rise again. And to give you and I, the creation He love, that chance to walk with Him in eternity, Jesus was willing to endure the worst, giving us the best.
I imagine that would be a wonderful source of joy for our Lord and all we have to do is accept it.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
He was searching for a common thread among them, regardless of the fact that they came from different cultures, different continents and some of them were of different races.
His list included George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Alexander the Great, Golda Meir, Napoleon, and even Fidel Castro. Tournier found the thread he was looking for - they were all orphans; either physically orphaned or emotionally in their lives.
In our day, we are told for the best possible results of a child, that child must be nurtured to the best of our abilities, have a stable home, 'normal' parents and a good education. Yet, here is a list of 300 men and women who literally changed the course of history and impacted the world beyond their lives, some to this very day, all of whom had less than ideal circumstances and some who had horrible circumstances.
How can this be?
The answer is that any situation is not the final word as to the outcome. In this case, being orphaned was not the determining factor because these leaders, early in life, bucked up and worked hard - overcoming their personal, difficult circumstances.
One of the things that I have learned about my situation is that the same is true with one who is in pain and suffers.
Truthfully, the only people who can rightly speak of suffering are those who suffer themselves; each person who does endure suffering, endures it in a way that is as unique as it is mysterious.
We often ask in our time of pain if God is responsible or if He is some cosmic sadist who desires suffering on His creatures.
Because of what we know of God's character, the simple answer is no, He is not the causation nor does He desire His creatures to suffer.
Although many Christians suffer, I am convinced that my suffering was as repulsive to God as it was to me.
Yet, this being true, many Christians will disallow the thought of a transforming value in our personal suffering.
Biblically, Job, Habakkuk and Jeremiah each saw the worst of what the world had to offer and they continued to believe regardless of the fact that at times, it made little sense to them to continue in the faith.
They came to understand what we in the modern era should learn to understand - real faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.
And if you look at our pain and suffering as Christians in this light, it can rightly be described as a glorious intruder; one who causes pain in our lives, while at the same time teaching us and drawing us nearer to God. Although we rightly see a darkness in suffering, there is also a divine dignity within the one who suffers because of what he endures and what he learns.
Throughout my ministry, I have sat next to countless hospital beds with families enduring the suffering of a loved one. Yet, there have been some things learned only by being in that hospital bed, in pain and pronounced 'terminal.'
From this experience, I am going to share a few truths that I have learned; all influenced by other Christians who have likewise suffered and recorded what God shared with them.
1. Suffering is the great Equalizer in life.
- Christians often say that the only place we are equal is at the foot of the Cross - and there is some truth in this statement. But I would argue the same is true for suffering because pain, disease, inflictions, and even sometimes the issues that cause divorces show no favorites and can strike anyone.
- The one positive to this equalizer is that when a person is in great pain and is suffering, whether it be from cancer or a divorce, you realize the need for true redemption in life.
2. To the Suffering, the Gospel is Good News, not a Threat.
- One of the age old false condemnations of Christianity is that it is negative; what is true is that Christianity is the greatest hope in the world but individual Christians have turned it into a threat. For example, 'Believe in Jesus or you will fry in Hell..!'
That's what I mean by taking the greatest hope and turning it into a threat.
- When one is in pain or suffering, there is no exaggerated sense of self-importance. A person learns in that time the difference between real fears and imagined fears. You begin to be able to distinguish in every area of your life the difference between necessities and luxuries.
And if you are a Christian, as you read the Gospel, you can see the hope written on every page - not for the scholar, but for the one who is in the most difficult time of their life.
- It is for this reason that I am convinced that those who suffer have a blessed advantage (spiritually) over those who have never known real pain in their lives. When a person suffers he is lacking something; those that do not are able to get by comfortably with their natural gifts and are self-sufficient.
A person who suffers MUST be dependent on others. It is in this dependence where we find a greater blessing for we find a greater grace. In other words, the weaker we feel, the harder we lean on Him.
Without suffering there is no dependence; without dependence there is no grace.
3. Those that Suffer Respond to Gospel Call Better.
- I am convinced the reason I was able to function considerable well during my time of suffering was because I realized I had so little left to lose. I was told that I was dying; soon, everything would be taken from me, I would lose control over everything in my life and then I would lose my life itself.
- As a response to that fact, I decided to do all I possibly could to honor God, my family and my church until I could not speak or write any longer. Consequently, it was from this notion from which this blog was born.
I have come to learn that people who suffer respond to the Gospel call for totality because there is so little left for them to lose.
4. It's the Fight, Not the Venue.
- Suffering does not seem to be beneficial in and of itself, it is what a person does with that suffer; it is how a person reacts to it. In my case, I chose to fight until my last breath as many rightly do.
And in this fight, your body is the venue and we do not know in advance how God will take the tragedy we are experiencing and transform it into a triumph.
But if we do not fight, we will never know because we will rob God of a glorious opportunity to use us as His glorious vessel.
- Many who read this blog either are suffering themselves with something medically or they know someone who is - I pray daily God gives me the words to bring encouragement to you as so many were used by God to encourage me. But I digress.
If you are suffering, if you are in pain, regardless of what the cause of it is - don't give up - fight.
Remember, His strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Corrie ten Boom was a Christian, a mere child when she was arrested by the Nazis in Holland. Her crime - sheltering Jews. As a result, she and her family were enemies of the state and sent to a German death camp.
Much has been written on those camps, there is no need to recount the horrors of that time here. It is enough to say she saw evil incarnate as she struggled to live at the foot of the Cross.
In those camps she learned a truth that can strengthen anyone who suffers:
'However deep the pit, God's love is deeper still.'
In my time of suffering, as I believed I was hanging somewhere between life and death; I realized God had been hanging too - He hung on the Cross of Calvary.
Instead of the comfort of Heaven, instead of turning a deaf ear to the poverty, affliction and pain of the earth, He chose in Jesus to come in flesh and die as an innocent victim in my place.
Hebrews teaches us in our difficult times we are to 'fix our eyes' on Jesus...
"who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..."
-Heb 12:2 (NASB95)
What is the 'joy' the author speaks of?
The joy is the redemption of man, which is why Jesus died in the first place.
But if you take it a step further, the 'joy' is the resurrection - where Jesus Christ would defeat death once and for all.
For, if you believe in Him and trust by faith in His work, though you may one day die - you will rise again. And to give you and I, the creation He love, that chance to walk with Him in eternity, Jesus was willing to endure the worst, giving us the best.
I imagine that would be a wonderful source of joy for our Lord and all we have to do is accept it.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The End Result
There are no words that can exactly describe how I feel at this time.
Three months ago I was proclaimed terminal; my life could be made 'comfortable' and it could be 'extended' but not cured.
I was never scared about dying; but there were things I considered.
As the days passed I wondered about what would happen to my children, who would do the military death notification - as I have done in the past, and I wondered if my funeral would actually play out as I had planned.
And all of those thoughts and pondering seemed to serve little purpose except to now produce an end result.
It seems that it is the end result which I have been led to throughout this entire ordeal.
A man named Helmut Thielicke, a theologian, once stated that Americans have an 'inadequte view of suffering.'
From what I've seen in the world, especially overseas, I believe he is right.
Americans do have an inadequate view of suffering but also of many other things as well.
For example, in other countries the poor classes are starving. In America, our poor are fat, have cell phones, enjoy air conditioning in the summer and heat pumps for the winter. Regardless of what politicians say, we are the most well taken care of people who have ever lived.
But I digress.
As to our suffering in sickness, disease and tragedy - we tend to view it not as a progression of life but as a stigma on our lives. Every generation has viewed pain and suffering as a part of the normal progression of life; that is every generation except the current generation.
The reason we are so apt to think of it as a stigma is because we tend to believe that we are to be healthy, happy and live a wonderful life which always is progressing towards better things and then go out with a nice, quiet, peaceful death..
The truth is that life is mostly the opposite of what I just described.
Nevertheless, some people and even many Christians believe the world is here for our pleasure; just ask God and 'believe' for whatever you want and you will have it. That's hard for me to swallow; mostly because it just isn't true.
To these, blame is affixed with suffering; 'you've sinned,' or 'you don't have enough faith.'
To these, I would pose the question that God posed to Satan - 'have you considered Job?'
Job had done nothing wrong and never lacked faith in God - yet, he suffered greatly. And the words of his friends sound very similar to what I hear people say to their sick friends in hospitals; yet, it must be remembered that when God spoke to one of Job's friends, He condemned them saying, 'you have not spoken of me.'
No, it isn't always sin or a lack of faith that causes sickness; although at times it can be - it isn't always this way. And the world isn't here for our pleasure either - it's here for God's glory.
I mean, seriously - can anyone with common sense actually believe that God put the world in motion for the sole reason to appease the pleasure of His creatures? In the world in which we live, over 1/3 of the earth's inhabitants go to bed starving every night.
Again, the world is here for God's glory not my sensual pleasure - but that begs the question, 'how is my suffering bringing glory to God in a suffering world?'
If the world exists to bring glory to God, then everything in the world and everything that happens in the world must ultimately likewise bring glory to God in some way.
The Apostle Paul spoke of the present 'groaning' of creation.
His reference was of what Christians know is the result of the fall of man and how we have the spoiled world in which we live today. When man fell from grace so many years ago and sinned against God - the entire created universe fell with him because man was the ruler/head of the earth, exercising a God-given dominion over it.
The groaning Paul spoke of is creation's cry for restoration and redemption.
In our own lives, in our sickness and suffering - we cry for that same restoration and redemption. Yet, our problem is that we ask the wrong question when we suffer.
Like Job, we ask 'why?'
This is an age old question - 'why do the righteous suffer?'
If, like Job of old, we believe that God is just, holy and righteous, then it would seem to reason that those who follow Him would be devoid of sickness and suffering. Instead, the New Testament actually promises affliction and suffering on those who follow Christ.
Job had difficulty reconciling this just as we do today.
It should also be mentioned that Job's wife gave him another option - 'curse God and die.'
Job refused to curse God and he refused to stop believing in the justice of God, maintaining his righteous faith.
And do you know what the final outcome of Job's situation was?
It was restoration and redemption.
This points me to believe that many times we are asking the wrong question when sickness and suffering is encountered in our lives. We want to ask 'why?'
But that is a backwards look to a present problem; finding the causal reason isn't really that helpful unless someone has been stricken because of rampant sin in their lives.
Instead of asking the backward question of 'why?' When Christians suffer, we ought to be asking 'to what end is my suffering?' Another way to put it - 'What is the purpose of my suffering?'
The answer to this question can be found; yet, it is found individually. Each person suffers differently and no one person's suffering should be compared to another - but each person should be able to find the purpose in their suffering which brings glory to God in heaven. This is not always easy and it certainly isn't pleasant.
Our suffering is not about 'why' it is about 'to what end' it has come upon us.
With my situation, thousands of people from across the globe have joined their hearts and prayers together in intercession on my behalf. Those that read this blog, I am certain a fair amount of them prayed for me; but most of those who prayed for me - I do not know and will not meet on this side of eternity.
People prayed in their homes, in churches and chapels across the world; missionaries in the field and families around the dinner table.
It's humbling even for me to think about it.
And then, God answered our prayers and He healed me.
Since that time, I began asking 'why did God heal me?'
As I asked this question, I found that it is simply torture to find an answer. Over the years, I have prayed for and with many people who were dying and most of them died. Yet, people prayed for me and I lived.
As with the question of suffering, I have been asking the wrong question - it isn't about why, but the spotlight falls on being healed and discovering 'to what end' have I been healed. That is to say, 'What does God have in store for the future?'
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Church, told them to 'rejoice in suffering.' He repeated this theme to several of the churches, as did the apostle Peter, during a period of persecution.
To 'rejoice in suffering' does not mean we are supposed to 'grin and bear it' when it comes upon us. That's not the image seen in Peter, Paul or Jesus. And it doesn't mean that we are supposed to be happy in a time of tragedy.
To rejoice in suffering means that we look for the productive use of our suffering for God to use in our lives and through our lives.
Whether God heals a person or allows one to continue in suffering, there is a productive use, an end result that can be achieved.
For some, pain, suffering and sickness causes a wedge that drives them away from God. In reality, pain, suffering and sickness should drive us to God.
In being driven to God, it is not a question of 'why has this happened to me' but of 'what is the end result in the glory of God' in this situation.
If you are going through a difficult time, a time of suffering, hold fast to the faith as Job did so long ago. Truthfully, I don't know why some of my friends in the church passed away into God's arms because of cancer and God healed me. I don't know why some are restored in this life and others are taken from this life. And I don't have the answer to every person's situation in suffering nor do I know what God is teaching them or how His glory will be produced through it.
- I do know that if Christians received everything we prayed for, God could never teach us about patience or perseverance.
- I do know that Christians can rejoice in our suffering because we serve a greater end in the glory of God.
- And I do know in our spoiled world, God is always faithful although we may not always understand His ways.
If you are going through a trial of pain and suffering, know that there is a restoration and redemption for you in the glory of God. But friend, you have to want to be redeemed through Christ.
And the restoration that awaits may very well be through death and a new life with Him.
But if you look for the end result of your suffering and seek His faith - God will provide it.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
Three months ago I was proclaimed terminal; my life could be made 'comfortable' and it could be 'extended' but not cured.
I was never scared about dying; but there were things I considered.
As the days passed I wondered about what would happen to my children, who would do the military death notification - as I have done in the past, and I wondered if my funeral would actually play out as I had planned.
And all of those thoughts and pondering seemed to serve little purpose except to now produce an end result.
It seems that it is the end result which I have been led to throughout this entire ordeal.
A man named Helmut Thielicke, a theologian, once stated that Americans have an 'inadequte view of suffering.'
From what I've seen in the world, especially overseas, I believe he is right.
Americans do have an inadequate view of suffering but also of many other things as well.
For example, in other countries the poor classes are starving. In America, our poor are fat, have cell phones, enjoy air conditioning in the summer and heat pumps for the winter. Regardless of what politicians say, we are the most well taken care of people who have ever lived.
But I digress.
As to our suffering in sickness, disease and tragedy - we tend to view it not as a progression of life but as a stigma on our lives. Every generation has viewed pain and suffering as a part of the normal progression of life; that is every generation except the current generation.
The reason we are so apt to think of it as a stigma is because we tend to believe that we are to be healthy, happy and live a wonderful life which always is progressing towards better things and then go out with a nice, quiet, peaceful death..
The truth is that life is mostly the opposite of what I just described.
Nevertheless, some people and even many Christians believe the world is here for our pleasure; just ask God and 'believe' for whatever you want and you will have it. That's hard for me to swallow; mostly because it just isn't true.
To these, blame is affixed with suffering; 'you've sinned,' or 'you don't have enough faith.'
To these, I would pose the question that God posed to Satan - 'have you considered Job?'
Job had done nothing wrong and never lacked faith in God - yet, he suffered greatly. And the words of his friends sound very similar to what I hear people say to their sick friends in hospitals; yet, it must be remembered that when God spoke to one of Job's friends, He condemned them saying, 'you have not spoken of me.'
No, it isn't always sin or a lack of faith that causes sickness; although at times it can be - it isn't always this way. And the world isn't here for our pleasure either - it's here for God's glory.
I mean, seriously - can anyone with common sense actually believe that God put the world in motion for the sole reason to appease the pleasure of His creatures? In the world in which we live, over 1/3 of the earth's inhabitants go to bed starving every night.
Again, the world is here for God's glory not my sensual pleasure - but that begs the question, 'how is my suffering bringing glory to God in a suffering world?'
If the world exists to bring glory to God, then everything in the world and everything that happens in the world must ultimately likewise bring glory to God in some way.
The Apostle Paul spoke of the present 'groaning' of creation.
His reference was of what Christians know is the result of the fall of man and how we have the spoiled world in which we live today. When man fell from grace so many years ago and sinned against God - the entire created universe fell with him because man was the ruler/head of the earth, exercising a God-given dominion over it.
The groaning Paul spoke of is creation's cry for restoration and redemption.
In our own lives, in our sickness and suffering - we cry for that same restoration and redemption. Yet, our problem is that we ask the wrong question when we suffer.
Like Job, we ask 'why?'
This is an age old question - 'why do the righteous suffer?'
If, like Job of old, we believe that God is just, holy and righteous, then it would seem to reason that those who follow Him would be devoid of sickness and suffering. Instead, the New Testament actually promises affliction and suffering on those who follow Christ.
Job had difficulty reconciling this just as we do today.
It should also be mentioned that Job's wife gave him another option - 'curse God and die.'
Job refused to curse God and he refused to stop believing in the justice of God, maintaining his righteous faith.
And do you know what the final outcome of Job's situation was?
It was restoration and redemption.
This points me to believe that many times we are asking the wrong question when sickness and suffering is encountered in our lives. We want to ask 'why?'
But that is a backwards look to a present problem; finding the causal reason isn't really that helpful unless someone has been stricken because of rampant sin in their lives.
Instead of asking the backward question of 'why?' When Christians suffer, we ought to be asking 'to what end is my suffering?' Another way to put it - 'What is the purpose of my suffering?'
The answer to this question can be found; yet, it is found individually. Each person suffers differently and no one person's suffering should be compared to another - but each person should be able to find the purpose in their suffering which brings glory to God in heaven. This is not always easy and it certainly isn't pleasant.
Our suffering is not about 'why' it is about 'to what end' it has come upon us.
With my situation, thousands of people from across the globe have joined their hearts and prayers together in intercession on my behalf. Those that read this blog, I am certain a fair amount of them prayed for me; but most of those who prayed for me - I do not know and will not meet on this side of eternity.
People prayed in their homes, in churches and chapels across the world; missionaries in the field and families around the dinner table.
It's humbling even for me to think about it.
And then, God answered our prayers and He healed me.
Since that time, I began asking 'why did God heal me?'
As I asked this question, I found that it is simply torture to find an answer. Over the years, I have prayed for and with many people who were dying and most of them died. Yet, people prayed for me and I lived.
As with the question of suffering, I have been asking the wrong question - it isn't about why, but the spotlight falls on being healed and discovering 'to what end' have I been healed. That is to say, 'What does God have in store for the future?'
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthian Church, told them to 'rejoice in suffering.' He repeated this theme to several of the churches, as did the apostle Peter, during a period of persecution.
To 'rejoice in suffering' does not mean we are supposed to 'grin and bear it' when it comes upon us. That's not the image seen in Peter, Paul or Jesus. And it doesn't mean that we are supposed to be happy in a time of tragedy.
To rejoice in suffering means that we look for the productive use of our suffering for God to use in our lives and through our lives.
Whether God heals a person or allows one to continue in suffering, there is a productive use, an end result that can be achieved.
For some, pain, suffering and sickness causes a wedge that drives them away from God. In reality, pain, suffering and sickness should drive us to God.
In being driven to God, it is not a question of 'why has this happened to me' but of 'what is the end result in the glory of God' in this situation.
If you are going through a difficult time, a time of suffering, hold fast to the faith as Job did so long ago. Truthfully, I don't know why some of my friends in the church passed away into God's arms because of cancer and God healed me. I don't know why some are restored in this life and others are taken from this life. And I don't have the answer to every person's situation in suffering nor do I know what God is teaching them or how His glory will be produced through it.
- I do know that if Christians received everything we prayed for, God could never teach us about patience or perseverance.
- I do know that Christians can rejoice in our suffering because we serve a greater end in the glory of God.
- And I do know in our spoiled world, God is always faithful although we may not always understand His ways.
If you are going through a trial of pain and suffering, know that there is a restoration and redemption for you in the glory of God. But friend, you have to want to be redeemed through Christ.
And the restoration that awaits may very well be through death and a new life with Him.
But if you look for the end result of your suffering and seek His faith - God will provide it.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Delivered
Two months ago, I was told by one of the best doctors in the country in one the the best hospitals in the world that I was stage four cancer, incurable. I was told I had a cancerous tumor on my adrenal gland and that cancer had jumped into the lymph nodes in my chest and also evidenced itself with another tumor on my lung.
While extremely compassionate, the medical staff were all on the same page; preparing me for the worst and the avenue for my care in the last days of life which I was currently in because I had been declared terminal. I don't know if you've ever been in that position, but the two words you don't want to hear when speaking to a doctor with the credentials of the one that sat across from me is 'terminal' and 'incureable.' And you don't want to be told that they can only extend your life, just before sending you to meet the man who will be in charge of your chemotherapy as you die.
Tonight I read a passage out of the Bible where David, in his joy, danced before the Lord.
Tonight as I type these words, I know why David danced so long ago.
Tonight, I'm not terminal, I wasn't incurable.
Tonight my body is cancer free because God touched me, healed my body and delivered me from death.
I cannot rightly describe what it feels like to know that you're dying but also know that there is something going on within your body that you can't explain; thinking God is doing something powerful, but you don't know exactly what it is. But you hope.
And I cannot rightly describe what it feels like to wake up from a second surgery and the doctors are smiling. In a fog, the first thing I can remember is person after person in the recovery room telling me I didn't have cancer.
Now, I can't describe it - but I can see it. I see it in David's actions so long ago.
'David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod. He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of the ram's horn...
And David's explanation for dancing half-naked in public was simple:
'I was dancing before the Lord who chose me...to appoint me ruler of the Lord's people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more...'
- 2 Samuel 6:14; 21-22
David had finally obtained all that had been promised to him when the Lord chose him and anointed him through Samuel so long ago as King. As a boy, he was promised the kingdom because he was after God's own heart. David had lived on the run, fighting as he went in his youth. At this time, he was about 37 years old and had just united the kingdom. He had defeated the constant enemies of Israel - the Amelekites, Philistines and captured Jerusalem by defeating the Jebusites.
As the Ark of the Covenant enters, David is full of joy for what the Lord has accomplished for His glory through David and for Israel. David is simply overcome.
I can't explain it very well - but I know what it feels like. I know why David danced. I have felt the same joy and satisfaction in the Lord.
Amazingly, this joy and the knowledge of not having cancer brings a whole host of new mysteries and questions that I cannot answer; some are frivolous and some are serious.
- Should I change the title of the blog?
I mean, I don't have cancer anymore; is it false advertising or isn't a memorial for what the Lord has done? I think it stands as a reminder of the power of God among the people of God. Lest we forget.
- If my lymph nodes do not contain cancer, exactly what do they contain?
There is something in my body that does not belong there, now it is time to find out what it is and eliminate it.
- Why did God chose to deliver me and does not choose to heal others?
I don't know the answer to this one; and this may be the most difficult of all. I do know that I have been healed and I am so thankful for what God has done.
And there are others, but I digress.
One thing I do want to point out is the power of prayer. If the readers of this blog have anything to learn, I hope you learn this one truth that I am about to convey.
Since August, I've had more people pray for me in more places around the world than I ever thought possible. August is when I really started getting sick although there were some praying for me long before that time.
In prayer, there were Christians of all faiths; Catholics and Orthodox Christians as well as Protestants and Evangelicals. And all of us have our own religious traditions by which we abide in seeking the same Lord.
In prayer, there were Christians of various races. Of those that I know about, there were blacks and whites; American Indians and Pacific Islanders; those of Slavic descent and true Africans. There were also countless others whom I do not know personally, but heard about in a distant country. These I will meet in eternity.
In prayer, there were men and women; yet, it was the children who may have had the purest prayers of all. As we were talking about some of my health issues one day, my son looked at me and told me that I was going to be OK, he'd prayed to God about it. In his mind, that had settled the matter. As it turned out, he was right.
In prayer, I am assuming that people prayed for me with passionate/heart felt requests. Some I know but many I do not - these are prayer warriors who pray whenever a need arises, bringing supplications before the Lord as the need is made known.
The teaching about this lesson on prayer is this - God moves greatly when we put our personal bigotries aside, when we forget about the traditions that have separated our hearts for centuries, when we focus on the one need out of love and compassion; that's when God moves.
For the last 2 months people from all over the world have prayed for me - and God moved on our behalf. Just imagine what He can do if instead of coming to Him with faint and faithless prayers - we come to Him with joined hearts and in fervency and passion.
Not only does prayer move mountains, prayers move God to suspend the natural laws of the universe on our behalf.
I am living proof that God does that very thing for His servants.
And you don't have to be a perfect saint - just a willing vessel.
Until next time, try to become that willing servant by the power of the Holy Spirit; and go win one for the good guys because God just healed one on behalf of the prayers of the good guys.
While extremely compassionate, the medical staff were all on the same page; preparing me for the worst and the avenue for my care in the last days of life which I was currently in because I had been declared terminal. I don't know if you've ever been in that position, but the two words you don't want to hear when speaking to a doctor with the credentials of the one that sat across from me is 'terminal' and 'incureable.' And you don't want to be told that they can only extend your life, just before sending you to meet the man who will be in charge of your chemotherapy as you die.
Tonight I read a passage out of the Bible where David, in his joy, danced before the Lord.
Tonight as I type these words, I know why David danced so long ago.
Tonight, I'm not terminal, I wasn't incurable.
Tonight my body is cancer free because God touched me, healed my body and delivered me from death.
I cannot rightly describe what it feels like to know that you're dying but also know that there is something going on within your body that you can't explain; thinking God is doing something powerful, but you don't know exactly what it is. But you hope.
And I cannot rightly describe what it feels like to wake up from a second surgery and the doctors are smiling. In a fog, the first thing I can remember is person after person in the recovery room telling me I didn't have cancer.
Now, I can't describe it - but I can see it. I see it in David's actions so long ago.
'David was dancing with all his might before the Lord wearing a linen ephod. He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of the ram's horn...
And David's explanation for dancing half-naked in public was simple:
'I was dancing before the Lord who chose me...to appoint me ruler of the Lord's people Israel. I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more...'
- 2 Samuel 6:14; 21-22
David had finally obtained all that had been promised to him when the Lord chose him and anointed him through Samuel so long ago as King. As a boy, he was promised the kingdom because he was after God's own heart. David had lived on the run, fighting as he went in his youth. At this time, he was about 37 years old and had just united the kingdom. He had defeated the constant enemies of Israel - the Amelekites, Philistines and captured Jerusalem by defeating the Jebusites.
As the Ark of the Covenant enters, David is full of joy for what the Lord has accomplished for His glory through David and for Israel. David is simply overcome.
I can't explain it very well - but I know what it feels like. I know why David danced. I have felt the same joy and satisfaction in the Lord.
Amazingly, this joy and the knowledge of not having cancer brings a whole host of new mysteries and questions that I cannot answer; some are frivolous and some are serious.
- Should I change the title of the blog?
I mean, I don't have cancer anymore; is it false advertising or isn't a memorial for what the Lord has done? I think it stands as a reminder of the power of God among the people of God. Lest we forget.
- If my lymph nodes do not contain cancer, exactly what do they contain?
There is something in my body that does not belong there, now it is time to find out what it is and eliminate it.
- Why did God chose to deliver me and does not choose to heal others?
I don't know the answer to this one; and this may be the most difficult of all. I do know that I have been healed and I am so thankful for what God has done.
And there are others, but I digress.
One thing I do want to point out is the power of prayer. If the readers of this blog have anything to learn, I hope you learn this one truth that I am about to convey.
Since August, I've had more people pray for me in more places around the world than I ever thought possible. August is when I really started getting sick although there were some praying for me long before that time.
In prayer, there were Christians of all faiths; Catholics and Orthodox Christians as well as Protestants and Evangelicals. And all of us have our own religious traditions by which we abide in seeking the same Lord.
In prayer, there were Christians of various races. Of those that I know about, there were blacks and whites; American Indians and Pacific Islanders; those of Slavic descent and true Africans. There were also countless others whom I do not know personally, but heard about in a distant country. These I will meet in eternity.
In prayer, there were men and women; yet, it was the children who may have had the purest prayers of all. As we were talking about some of my health issues one day, my son looked at me and told me that I was going to be OK, he'd prayed to God about it. In his mind, that had settled the matter. As it turned out, he was right.
In prayer, I am assuming that people prayed for me with passionate/heart felt requests. Some I know but many I do not - these are prayer warriors who pray whenever a need arises, bringing supplications before the Lord as the need is made known.
The teaching about this lesson on prayer is this - God moves greatly when we put our personal bigotries aside, when we forget about the traditions that have separated our hearts for centuries, when we focus on the one need out of love and compassion; that's when God moves.
For the last 2 months people from all over the world have prayed for me - and God moved on our behalf. Just imagine what He can do if instead of coming to Him with faint and faithless prayers - we come to Him with joined hearts and in fervency and passion.
Not only does prayer move mountains, prayers move God to suspend the natural laws of the universe on our behalf.
I am living proof that God does that very thing for His servants.
And you don't have to be a perfect saint - just a willing vessel.
Until next time, try to become that willing servant by the power of the Holy Spirit; and go win one for the good guys because God just healed one on behalf of the prayers of the good guys.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Underdogs & Comebacks
Twenty years ago, I was the starting center for the Gauley Bridge High School football team - the Travellers. The mascot is not a reference to traveling salesmen but to the favorite horse of the greatest, most honorable and highly respected general of the Civil War on either side of the conflict - Robert E. Lee.
But regardless of the sport, the Travellers were always the underdog. Always.
Except in girls basketball (who made 2 state tournament appearances), we were never favored to win. And that might be why I've always favored the underdog and appreciated great comebacks regardless of the team or sport.
As far as underdogs and comebacks go, here's a few off the top of my head that I really appreciated:
- The 2001 GMAC Bowl, Marshall University vs. East Carolina.
Marshall overcame a 30 point deficit at halftime to defeat ECU 64-61 in double overtime.
- A good underdog from 2012 is the Sugar Bowl where #21 Louisville handed #3 Florida their Gator tails and sent them packing.
- M*A*S*H the television series was a comeback kid long before it was a highly acclaimed 'dramedy'; the network was going to cancel the series but it won so many Emmy's that it gained its audience in the summer reruns. Therefore, the network renewed it - and again for 10 more consecutive seasons.
- President Richard Nixon was a comeback legend. He rose quickly in Congress as a Representative then Senator and while still a young man, was chosen as the Vice-President to Ike. He was counted as 'out' because of an accusation of taking bribes; but on national TV he 'wowwed' the nation with the famous 'Checkers' speech. Kept on the ticket, he later debated Kruschev in the White House kitchen, and put him to shame.
Then he lost to JFK in 1960, lost the Governorship of California to Jerry Brown in 1962 and was gone from public life for years. Then in 1968, out of nowhere, he returns and is elected the President of the United States; wins reelection in 1972, but resigns in disgrace in 1974.
Yet, in the 1980's & 1990's he returned as a well-respected authority on foreign affairs to which every president from Regan to his death turned to for advice and leadership.
But the greatest comeback ever recorded came from the greatest man who ever lived. The end of the story tells the whole story:
'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is RISEN!...
But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.'
- Mark 16:6-7 (KJV)
When Christ stepped out of the borrowed tomb, He completed the greatest comeback ever known to mankind. He had spent three days dead but was then resurrected by the power of God. When you put the resurrection up against any 'comeback,' nothing even comes close to Jesus Christ; and it is still that way. Nothing even comes close to our Lord.
But in looking at this passage, two words jump out which shout grace throughout the universe. Those two words are 'and Peter,' and they tell us that like our lord, there is a 'comeback' waiting in the heart of every man and woman in the world.
The last time Peter had seen Christ, Jesus had shot a look at him while the Lord stood trial. Peter had just denied Jesus for the final time. The Scripture tells us that this look was a fixed stare; it was as if the Lord was looking right through Peter and into his soul. When Peter realized what he had done, which took place just as Jesus had said hours earlier, he went out and wept bitterly.
In his defense, Peter may have believed he had forfeited his own salvation because Jesus had said that if anyone denied Him before man, He would deny them before His Father in heaven. So, it isn't a far jump to think that Peter believed he had just lost his salvation.
Now, the message to the women at the tomb could have been anything, but it was in fact a message to the disciples in general and to Peter in particular that the Lord would meet them in Galilee. Let me give you Pastor Jack's Standard Translation -
'Go and tell Peter that one flop doesn't make you a failure.'
'Go and tell Peter that I have more for him to do.'
'Go and tell Peter that I know his true heart and I'll see him in Galilee.'
Now, I know I've played loosely with the actual Greek text, but in the instance give me some lattitude because what we're talking about is second chances and great comebacks. And Peter was about to make a great comeback, not because he was anything special but because the Holy Spirit had made him something special.
A few days later Peter would meet Jesus on a beach in Galilee. On that beach Peter would be reconciled to the Lord and he would receive his charge anew. He experienced grace and forgiveness and Peter would never forget it. In his books written to the early church, the same lessons of grace he learned at the feet of Christ - he would teach to those young Christians.
Oh, and after this meeting on the beach, Peter would never again deny the Lord; even when it meant death.
Peter stands for all time as what can happen with every person - there is a comeback and a restoration awaiting every person who will trust the Lord.
- For some people, that comeback is salvation - renewed and revived as never before. But there are many Christians who need to make a spiritual comeback beyond what they are now to become what the Lord has created them to be in His name.
- For some, it is a couple who in their marriage is facing brokenness but they need a comeback. There is one waiting, but only through the power of Christ.
- And for some, those who are sick, they need a comeback that only God can provide; not spiritually but physically beyond their sickness and into health. Such is my story at this hour.
In less than 12 hours, I will go into surgery and by the end of the day so much more knowledge will be uncovered and much will be decided - much beyond what has been revealed.
Less than two months ago, I was told that I had stage 4, incurable cancer and that my life could only be extended. Basically, I was a lost cause; but the last thing one doctor said before he left the room was, 'Miracles do happen sometimes...'
For weeks, so many around the world have been praying for that miracle that I have asked for of God. That our great and powerful Lord would move as only He can move and do what only He can do and touch me in such a way that only He can receive the glory and credit for what has happened - that I walk out of that hospital and drive away from Cleveland cancer free with a lot of years to live for Him.
I didn't care if He moved through the doctors or by a miraculous shot of lightening through the ceiling; I just wanted Him to move on my behalf.
In the morning, every person who has prayed for me and with me will find out if we have been praying in the will of God or according to our own will. But how ever this turns out, God will still be on His throne and will still be full of infinite love and mercy.
The greatest comeback in history is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but God wants a comeback to happen in every person's life - if we would just follow Him and listen to His voice. And there is a comeback awaiting each person who follows Him and heeds His Word; but we must trust in Him and His Word for His Spirit to make our hearts and souls come alive for Him in our lives.
That's what happened to Peter and it can happen to us the same way; but like Peter, it must start with repentance and then reconciliation. Only then will we be restored and rejuvenated for the Lord Jesus Christ.
And I hope that you and me, where ever we are, become a great comeback story for the King of Kings.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
But regardless of the sport, the Travellers were always the underdog. Always.
Except in girls basketball (who made 2 state tournament appearances), we were never favored to win. And that might be why I've always favored the underdog and appreciated great comebacks regardless of the team or sport.
As far as underdogs and comebacks go, here's a few off the top of my head that I really appreciated:
- The 2001 GMAC Bowl, Marshall University vs. East Carolina.
Marshall overcame a 30 point deficit at halftime to defeat ECU 64-61 in double overtime.
- A good underdog from 2012 is the Sugar Bowl where #21 Louisville handed #3 Florida their Gator tails and sent them packing.
- M*A*S*H the television series was a comeback kid long before it was a highly acclaimed 'dramedy'; the network was going to cancel the series but it won so many Emmy's that it gained its audience in the summer reruns. Therefore, the network renewed it - and again for 10 more consecutive seasons.
- President Richard Nixon was a comeback legend. He rose quickly in Congress as a Representative then Senator and while still a young man, was chosen as the Vice-President to Ike. He was counted as 'out' because of an accusation of taking bribes; but on national TV he 'wowwed' the nation with the famous 'Checkers' speech. Kept on the ticket, he later debated Kruschev in the White House kitchen, and put him to shame.
Then he lost to JFK in 1960, lost the Governorship of California to Jerry Brown in 1962 and was gone from public life for years. Then in 1968, out of nowhere, he returns and is elected the President of the United States; wins reelection in 1972, but resigns in disgrace in 1974.
Yet, in the 1980's & 1990's he returned as a well-respected authority on foreign affairs to which every president from Regan to his death turned to for advice and leadership.
But the greatest comeback ever recorded came from the greatest man who ever lived. The end of the story tells the whole story:
'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is RISEN!...
But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.'
- Mark 16:6-7 (KJV)
When Christ stepped out of the borrowed tomb, He completed the greatest comeback ever known to mankind. He had spent three days dead but was then resurrected by the power of God. When you put the resurrection up against any 'comeback,' nothing even comes close to Jesus Christ; and it is still that way. Nothing even comes close to our Lord.
But in looking at this passage, two words jump out which shout grace throughout the universe. Those two words are 'and Peter,' and they tell us that like our lord, there is a 'comeback' waiting in the heart of every man and woman in the world.
The last time Peter had seen Christ, Jesus had shot a look at him while the Lord stood trial. Peter had just denied Jesus for the final time. The Scripture tells us that this look was a fixed stare; it was as if the Lord was looking right through Peter and into his soul. When Peter realized what he had done, which took place just as Jesus had said hours earlier, he went out and wept bitterly.
In his defense, Peter may have believed he had forfeited his own salvation because Jesus had said that if anyone denied Him before man, He would deny them before His Father in heaven. So, it isn't a far jump to think that Peter believed he had just lost his salvation.
Now, the message to the women at the tomb could have been anything, but it was in fact a message to the disciples in general and to Peter in particular that the Lord would meet them in Galilee. Let me give you Pastor Jack's Standard Translation -
'Go and tell Peter that one flop doesn't make you a failure.'
'Go and tell Peter that I have more for him to do.'
'Go and tell Peter that I know his true heart and I'll see him in Galilee.'
Now, I know I've played loosely with the actual Greek text, but in the instance give me some lattitude because what we're talking about is second chances and great comebacks. And Peter was about to make a great comeback, not because he was anything special but because the Holy Spirit had made him something special.
A few days later Peter would meet Jesus on a beach in Galilee. On that beach Peter would be reconciled to the Lord and he would receive his charge anew. He experienced grace and forgiveness and Peter would never forget it. In his books written to the early church, the same lessons of grace he learned at the feet of Christ - he would teach to those young Christians.
Oh, and after this meeting on the beach, Peter would never again deny the Lord; even when it meant death.
Peter stands for all time as what can happen with every person - there is a comeback and a restoration awaiting every person who will trust the Lord.
- For some people, that comeback is salvation - renewed and revived as never before. But there are many Christians who need to make a spiritual comeback beyond what they are now to become what the Lord has created them to be in His name.
- For some, it is a couple who in their marriage is facing brokenness but they need a comeback. There is one waiting, but only through the power of Christ.
- And for some, those who are sick, they need a comeback that only God can provide; not spiritually but physically beyond their sickness and into health. Such is my story at this hour.
In less than 12 hours, I will go into surgery and by the end of the day so much more knowledge will be uncovered and much will be decided - much beyond what has been revealed.
Less than two months ago, I was told that I had stage 4, incurable cancer and that my life could only be extended. Basically, I was a lost cause; but the last thing one doctor said before he left the room was, 'Miracles do happen sometimes...'
For weeks, so many around the world have been praying for that miracle that I have asked for of God. That our great and powerful Lord would move as only He can move and do what only He can do and touch me in such a way that only He can receive the glory and credit for what has happened - that I walk out of that hospital and drive away from Cleveland cancer free with a lot of years to live for Him.
I didn't care if He moved through the doctors or by a miraculous shot of lightening through the ceiling; I just wanted Him to move on my behalf.
In the morning, every person who has prayed for me and with me will find out if we have been praying in the will of God or according to our own will. But how ever this turns out, God will still be on His throne and will still be full of infinite love and mercy.
The greatest comeback in history is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, but God wants a comeback to happen in every person's life - if we would just follow Him and listen to His voice. And there is a comeback awaiting each person who follows Him and heeds His Word; but we must trust in Him and His Word for His Spirit to make our hearts and souls come alive for Him in our lives.
That's what happened to Peter and it can happen to us the same way; but like Peter, it must start with repentance and then reconciliation. Only then will we be restored and rejuvenated for the Lord Jesus Christ.
And I hope that you and me, where ever we are, become a great comeback story for the King of Kings.
Until next time, go win one for the good guys.
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