Is Pain In Vain – Part Four
For twelve years I had stood at a pulpit on Sunday mornings and proclaimed that our significance and value comes primarily from the Lord, and not from what we do. Yes, we can feel good about our performance, but God…
Category goodness of God
Is Pain In Vain? – Part Three
I have a belief that might make some cringe. Here it is: There were benefits to my battle with cancer. Now before you conclude I’m losing my grip, let’s first remember God’s superior intellect. “My thoughts are not your thoughts,…
Is Pain In Vain?
God wasn’t joking when He said in Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” These differences are dramatically illustrated in His instruction…
The Lily of the Valley
During Joe’s chemo treatments, I remember asking nurses, “Has this chemo worked for others?” They would answer, “Take it a day at a time.” Or, “Just enjoy every day you’re together.” And, “We are all dying.” Somehow at the time,…
Christmas Presence
Blue Christmases happen. I don’t have raw statistics to prove it, but for those battling cancer, the sense of isolation is usually greater during the holiday season. Cancer takes no holidays. It’s impossible to forget the Christmas that I was…
Always Good News
When you are being flooded with bad news, how does one focus on good things? Let’s be honest, sometimes in our lives, the “good news” of Christmas is totally overshadowed by personal news feeds. Perhaps an employer gave you a…
Getting What You Deserve
At some point during the TV show, Extreme Makeover, Homeowner Edition, my wife, Terri, will look over at me and ask, “Are you crying?” No! Must be something in my eye. I honestly think it is difficult not to cry.…
Plot Twists and Holy Days
Sometimes in action movies, the lead character experiences such pain and obstacles, you wonder how he could possibly survive. Yet, you know he will, because he is the lead character. The movie, Deep Blue Sea, about killer sharks, is unusual,…
Biting the Hand that Restores You
We have a friend whose battling cancer right now. She and her husband had an experience with their dog which was full of symbolic meaning for me. Recently, her husband was giving instructions to the dog, but it refused to…
On Detours
You’re driving to an important meeting and suddenly police reroute you onto some crowded backstreet. You cuss. C’mon, God heard you. Well… He’s heard me. I admit, I like predictability, a lot. I don’t like curve balls. But my wife…