One Man's Battle W/ Cancer - Super Long, but worth the read...

I dont Blog much unless I stumble upon something truly worth sharing. This is worth sharing...

There is a family in our church who has a cousin who preaches. He is battling cancer, but he has an entirely different perspective of why God allowed this to happen in his life & it has changed my outlook today. Very encouraging & worth your time (as it is a longer story)...

I’ve been trying for days to think of how to put this into words. God finally gave me the words to say tonight.

First, let me say that I am extremely grateful for the outpouring of prayers for me and my family. Words can’t describe how much I appreciate each and every one of you that are sending up prayers on our behalf.

Second, I want to thank each and every one of you for the kind words about our faith and strength. Please don’t think that this is something great about us, it is 100% from God, God is the one that has given us the faith and strength to fight this battle. There is no way we could do this on our own, God has given use exactly what we need during this time, it’s not something we’ve done; it’s purely a gift from Him. If you find inspiration in something you hear from me, please be sure to thank God for that inspiration, it’s nothing I’ve done; it’s a blessing from God, not from me.

Third, I want to explain my position on this cancer diagnosis. After reading this, some of you will probably think I’m crazy. Hopefully, most of you will see how God is working in my life and I hope and pray that it will encourage each and every one of you to get even closer to God than you are right now.

OK, here’s my view point on being diagnosed with cancer. God has an important task He needs completed. He wants His name lifted up during times of trouble; He wants His name praised when someone is in a valley: He wants people to look to Him when they don’t know what to do. So, God needs these tasks completed and guess what…He looked down and chose ME…ME to complete this important task that He wants done! I feel SO unworthy of this job God has given me. I’m weak, I’m not educated much in scripture, I feel like I fail the Lord daily, but for some reason he counted me WORTHY to carry out this task for him. Wow, what an awesome responsibility God has given me, I feel so unworthy! In business, if you have a big sale you want to make, you grab your best guy to go make that sale. I feel like I’m the lowest one God could have picked but yet he chose me anyway. Essentially, I feel like the new guy that just started a job, and I got to go on the biggest sales call in company history. I feel so honored that God has chosen ME for this job!

After I told about my calling to preach on Mother’s Day, 2009 I started praying for God to use me. At times, I would beg God “please, use me for your honor and glory, however you see fit”. After praying for that for so long I truly feel like God has answered my prayer with the biggest answer He could give me, He has said “here ya go, I’m going to use you for this task”! Otherwise, God would not have given me the peace and comfort about this cancer diagnosis. God has given me the exact tools I need to fight this battle and He’s also given me the exact tools I need to make sure He gets the honor and glory out of this situation! God is not going to put me on the battlefield and not equip me with the weapons needed to fight this battle.

Someone asked me the other day if I was scared of anything during this battle. To be honest, I’m a big wimp; I don’t like pain at all. I fear all the needle sticks, the possible surgery, etc… I also dread thinking about what my family is going to go through. I hate the thought of them being sad while watching me go through treatments, surgery, etc… I can almost make myself sick thinking about what this is going to do to them. But…the biggest thing I fear…is that I will fail God during this job he has given me. He’s going to allow me to cross paths with people I would have never met if I wasn’t on this journey. Someone, somewhere along this journey needs to hear about God. Someone, somewhere along this journey needs to turn to God…or maybe, turn BACK to God. I don’t know that I will ever know the answer or see the results of this job God has given me, but He has given me this awesomely important job to do and I DO NOT WANT TO FAIL HIM!!!!! Just imagine, you are the low guy on the totem pole at work. Your boss comes to you and says that he wants you to go make this sale that is really important to the company. Think of how much you would dread failing your boss and letting him down. That’s exactly how I feel about this job God has given me…I know it’s important and I do not want to fail God when he has given me such an important task!

Please please please don’t think I am bragging and thinking that I’m the best out there. I promise you, I think of myself as one of the weakest preachers and one of the weakest Christians God ever created. That is why I feel so unworthy of being called to do this job for God. I just can’t see this as a sad situation that is going to make me have a pity party for myself. I’d be lying if I said there won’t be some down days…I’ve had a few already. I didn’t WANT cancer, but if God wants to use my body to bring people closer to Him then GLORY HALLELUJAH THANK YOU LORD FOR USING ME! !!!!!!!

God has given me every single tool I need to fight this battle. He has called me to preach, he has taken our faith to new heights this year with Tyler’s adoption (a whole other story), and he has given me peace and understanding about what is going on and what is going to happen during this battle. In the 2 years I’ve been preaching, I’ve only preached in churches. I’ve been wondering if I would ever be able to preach in a hospital or treatment facility if God required it of me. Friday, I got a call from a preacher who wanted me to go to the radio station and preach Sunday morning. I had never thought about doing that but God led me to take that appointment. God blessed that effort, He helped me to preach that morning, and God put people in my path who said they were blessed by the message that God provided me. It wasn’t until tonight that I realized God put me in that radio station Sunday morning to prove to me that I can preach whenever HE sees fit to preach me. Since He revealed that to me tonight, I’ve not had one single doubt that if God requires me to preach to someone while lying in a hospital bed, and if He gives me the lead to do so, I might get the honor of preaching to someone who has never heard the Gospel preached before! Remember Romans 10, verse 14 - 15… “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent (truncated)”.

Think about it…God has given me this awesome job, He has called me to preach, He has strengthened my faith, and He has given me peace about this battle. What more could I ask for? God is pouring out His blessings on me just as much now as He was before I was diagnosed with cancer! He’s given me everything I need to complete this awesome job he has given me, WHAT ON EARTH DO I HAVE TO BE SAD ABOUT????

If you look at my life you can easily see all the things God has blessed me with; A loving family, two beautiful, healthy children, a church family that I can’t wait to be around every Sunday, a job that I love, and a house that I love. As I stand and praise God during my “pre cancer” days, it might be easy for someone to look at me and say “sure he’s going to praise God, look at everything he’s got”. Now, as I stand in the midst of this battle or valley as some would call it, He’s allowing me to continue to praise His name. If someone overlooked me praising God in the past because He had blessed me so much, I hope that same person can look at me now and realize that even in times of trouble, God is still worthy of praise! I get the honor of bringing that message to everyone I meet during this battle. THAT is what I’m not worthy of and THAT is why I don’t want to fail God during this time.

Regardless of the outcome, the victory is His and He will get the honor and glory out of this situation. If it helps even 1 person, then it will be worth it all because He got the honor and glory out of it. No doubt, just like with Job in the Old Testament, I’m sure the devil was expecting me to turn my back on God, curse him, and go hide in a corner somewhere. Not only is the devil wrong about me, but what if 1 or 10 or 100 or even 1,000 people get closer to God because of this job He has given me? Think of the impact and the damage that would do to the devil and think of the honor that God would get out of that!!!! Again, don’t think that I’m looking to turn this into something great for me, I’m looking to fight this battle just like God wants me to and praise him name the whole way through!

I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for the prayers. I’m a little overwhelmed by the number of people praying for me and my family. I get very sad when thinking of how many people are battling this same disease (or any disease for that matter) and they don’t know the God that has so richly blessed me my entire life. I just can’t image fighting this fight and not having the comfort and peace that I’ve been blessed with. Please, as you say a prayer for me and my family remember those people who are lost and do not know the awesome God that I serve. I know that regardless of how this turns out, I’m a winner either way. There are so many that are in this same fight and they don’t have that heavenly home to look forward to like I do. I do not want this battle to take my life but none of us knows when God will call us home. But I do know that whenever my time comes, maybe today, maybe next year, maybe 70 years from now…I’ve got a better place to go. There are so many that don’t know where they will spend eternity and if this battle helps one of those people find salvation, then it will be worth it all! Please remember to pray for those that have not been saved and don’t know God, please pray for my family, and please pray for me.

Thank you Lord, for your blessings on me!

How to be a Great Employee

1st off, I have not blogged in more than 2 years. Probably because my writing skills,... well, let's just say there isnt much skill to it. Although lately, I have had a desire to share what I have learned; it is not so much what I have to say, but what I have learned from others.

2 weeks ago in staff meeting we were discussing what a good employee of our church might look like, and these points are from Pastor David. I believe this is instrumental to every employee anywhere. The main points are directly from him; I have added in a few thoughts as sub-points. I am grateful for what David Landrith, (Senior Pastor, Long Hollow Baptist Church) had to say, because I know we can all learn from this...

HOW TO BE A GREAT EMPLOYEE...

• See your position as a CALLING not a JOB

*If you can say, "If I do anything else, I wont be happy", then you are right where God wants you.

*If the opposite is true, then you might want to pray if this is where God is truly calling you, because he is calling you, specifically you to do something. What is that?

• Keep the MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING

*Our work, weather trash or evangelism is "unto the Lord" Colossians 3:23-25

*Being a follower of Jesus Christ does not cover up bad work!!!

*Dont get frustrated with a frustrating boss, because My ultimate boss is God!!

*This should lead you to work with integrity, honesty, & modesty, b/c we answer to God.

• See the big PICTURE

*We (Long Hollow & ministers) work for the Bride of Christ.

*When you do tedious tasks, dont lose sight of the Kingdom of God

• CHOOSE to have a good attitude

*Negativity/Cynicism are contagious... A dangerous cancer to any Org., community, or family.

*We have to remain positive (a personal struggle for myself) James 5:9

• Practice the 48 HOUR rule

*If you are mad at someone, address it w/in this time frame, or GET OVER IT!!

*In the words of Coach V, (FBC Naples, FL), "No more whining, unless you are on fire!!"

• Dont let WORKING here affect WORSHIPPING Here (For ministers specifically)

*Sometimes working @ a church causes you to hate it.

*Dont use the excuse, "I have worked all day / week", because guess what, so do our volunteers, and we cant continue without them!!

*Church Work isnt an excuse for being involved in church!! AMEN!! (Small Group & Worship)

• Always be SOLUTION oriented

*You wont last long if you lead from the negative. BE OPTIMISTIC!!!

*Dont assume you/we cant do something, we have God on our side, (he kinda rules, literally!!)

*Do something even if you have to do it wrong, just do something, dont just stand there!!!!

• Stay FLEXIBLE

*Plan ahead, but plan ahead for change. Dont allow this to lead to procrastination, but be open to God's leading.

*Rick Warren said, "Blessed are those who are flexible, for they dont get bent out of shape!!" Love it!!

• Dont COMPARE your Ministry / Job to Others

*REPEAT THIS OVER & OVER. If you are comparing, or saying, "if only I had xx many students, then you are believing a lie from Hell."

*Who cares where Billy is? Get back to work & quit complaining, remember, you arent on fire!! (Who is Billy anyway?)

*We are all on the same team, act like it.

• Draw a line between what you DO and the LIFE CHANGE that happens here every week.

*Without the toe, we couldnt walk right. Without the leg, we couldnt walk. Everyone plays a huge part.

*We are a part of a bigger picture, GODS K-Dom. Dont allow yourself to be de-sensitized to this.

*We (at a church) will have LOTS of spiritual warfare, be prepared for those, guns blazing, charging hell with a water pistol!!!!

_______________

I believe all of us need to keep these principles in mind, because they apply to our employment, and ALL of US are employed by someone. Whether you like it or not, you will never be the MASTER of everything you do!! We all answer to someone... who is bigger and better than ourselves!!

Israel Day #7

TODAY'S PICTURES...





Today we finished early, but we accomplished much!! If you follow along in the pictures, we went to a model of ancient Jerusalem city. This was not a perfect model, but it gave a good visual of what the temple looked like (a monstrosity), and how the remainder of the city laid out. Also at this location (Archaeological Park), there were actual remnants and documents from the Dead Sea Scrolls. On Wednesday we visited where Scrolls were actually found, but the authentic documents were located at Archaeological Park. Seeing these documents and scrolls that were written 2000 years ago was astonishing.

Next we visited the house of Caiaphas (Matthew 26:57-75, John 18:25-29). This was where Jesus spent a night in captivity before the crucifixion, the night prior to going on trial with Pontius Pilate. Also, in the vicinity of this house, Peter denied Christ 3 times before the rooster crow… Ok, here is the amazing part of this visit… there is a cell type basement that is traditionally known as where Jesus was held captive for that night. There is no reason to believe that this was not the actual location where he spent the night. As we stood in silence in this cell, Gideon, a member of our crew read from the book of Psalms. Sitting in that cell was heartrending, and somber at the same time. We know the end of the story, so it was not as sorrowful as it could have been.

We then toured the Tomb Garden. In Tomb Garden, you can see Golgotha, “Skull Hill”, where Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17). This is 1 of 2 places debated for Golgotha. Embedded in the rocks is the image of a skull. If you walk approximately 100 yards away from Golgotha, there is a tomb. This is the tomb where Jesus lay. As you know he only spent a couple nights there. It was unreal walking through the garden and seeing the tomb from a distance. We walked in the tomb, and you can clearly see how this could have been the tomb where Jesus laid. After walking in the tomb, and taking pictures, we gathered in the garden and discussed the Scripture where he was crucified and rose again. Each student and adult shared their testimony of how they gave their life to Christ. Each story was unique and encouraging in it’s own way. Sitting in that garden and walking in the tomb where Jesus laid, or could have laid, or IT DID NOT MATTER,… you want to know why??? Because, He is not here; he has risen! – Luke 24:6.

From Israel Day #7

As I walked out and looked at that door sign, it gave me chills knowing we do not worship a god that lays in a grave. We do not worship a god that made empty promises. We worship the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD!!! That is mind-boggling.

The remainder of the day is simple when comparing the experience of walking through the tomb of Jesus. We oversaw Jordan, and the Jordan Valley. We saw some sheep, and a precious young lady holding a baby. As we were leaving the tomb, we heard the bell ring, for the Muslim prayer time. This is 1 of the 5 times daily the nation of Islam prays toward Mecca, there is a picture in the slide show through the railing where a man is praying… Sad.

Once again, this was incomparable day. The Ferguson’s are good, and I am in awe, DAILY… of the fact they have blessed us with this experience. Praise be to the One True Living God, Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Thank him today for his greatness, and tell someone else of something great he has done for you in your life!!!

Israel day #6

PICTURES...





Jerusalem, the holy city. We arrived in Jerusalem this evening; fabulous, truly fabulous. It is a place where so many events took place. Let's begin with the day, and I will get back to Jerusalem.

We started early and went to Massada. This was basically a plateau on a massive mountaintop that was turned into a city by King Herod in 1st Century BC. This is the same Herod that killed all the babies 2 and under, when Christ was born. There were palaces, saunas, bath houses, and everything. It was a regular city on a mountaintop. It is incredible how they lived up there. The crazy thing is Herod built the place, or had slaves build it, and there is no record that he ever spent a night there. Talk about the ultimate vacation home!!

Just down the road, we went to Engedi. This is the cave where David hid from Saul (I Samuel 24). Saul came after David to kill him. God laid Saul into the hands of David, and he could have killed him, but chose to spare his life. He cut off a piece his cloak, and came after Saul explaining. Saul realized his righteousness, and he granted him right to succeed him as king. It was in the middle of the desert, and we went on an extremely long hike. On this hike, there were several waterfalls in the center of the desert. Where the water came from?? I have no idea!! It is incredible how God created this world.

We stopped briefly on the side of the road, and rode camels, yes, we rode camels. Over the edge of the mountain, within the distance, we could see the Jericho Road. This was the old road that people used to travel from Jerusalem to Jericho. Jesus must have used this road to travel to Jericho. This was also the road the story of the Good Samaritan took place. We could not see this up close, but from a distance, you could clearly see a road that traveled a long way.

Next was a long bus ride to Jerusalem. We took a break before dinner, and then went into the Temple Courts from the 1st Century. We walked upon the Wailing Wall. This wall was built by King Herod (What wasnt built by Herod?? - His goal was to turn Israel into Rome). This temple was used in Jesus time, and they can guarantee Jesus walked the streets and was in this temple. We saw some of the original streets, and the wall was entirely original (except for the top 20%). We saw Jewish men and woman worshiping and praying on this wall, because this wall was considered holy because it was there 2000+ years ago (ancient Jewish times). It reminded me of Romans 10:1-4 - ...they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.... It is sad to see them worship, not fully understanding what they worship. They are so close by believing most the Old Testament, but dismissing the fact that their Messiah has already come. Pray for them as you can see them worship and pray on the wall (in the pictures). I would upload a video, but it is about a 2 hour process, and it is 1130pm, and I am ready for BED!!

Love and miss you guys. 3 more days, and we will back in Naples, God willing!! Watch some of the NCAA Tourney for me, I am hating missing it, but I am doing something much more worthwhile. Cheer on the Cards for me!!

Prayer Request

I just got news from America that a friend and missionary in SE Asia passed away within the past 24 hours. They have 5 children. Please pray for the family, and that this death will have a eternal impact on the country he serves. Thanks

Israel Day #5

Pictures...






Today was much less intense than yesterday, although it was an exciting and adventurous day. Today’s journeys started at the Jordan River (Mark 1:4-11). John the Baptist baptized several followers in the Jordan, as well as Jesus. We were not at the exact location where Jesus was baptized, although we were within 100 miles. It was a site to see and step into the water where Jesus was baptized.

We then traveled to Beth Shan National Park. It was a beautiful city, which had just been excavated within the past 30 years. Historically, they say it was erected in the late Canaanite period (16th-12th century BC), under the seat of Egyptian rule. The lords of Beth Shan defeated the Israelites, and displayed Saul’s body and his son’s bodies on the wall of the city (I Samuel 31:10-13). Later Beth Shan was taken by King David, and became an administrative center during King Solomon’s reign. We stood on the top of a mountain neighboring the city, and overlooked Beth Shan, while imagining people walking down “Main Street” of the city. It was a gorgeous site to see.

Next stop was the Caves of Qumran. This is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We toured through some of the mountains, and saw inside a couple of the caves. To say at the least, they had extremely humble means. This day was closed a little bit different than any other of the previous three days. We concluded Wednesday by swimming,… well actually we were floating,… on the Dead Sea. It was an experience. The water in the sea has so many minerals and salt, that there is no living thing in it, except approximately 11 under aged teenagers. People travel from all around to swim in the sea, and rub the mud from the bottom of the sea all over their bodies, because “It is good for your skin.” Well unfortunately, I tried it out with the rest of the crew, and I felt like everything less than good!!! Although, it was an activity I am glad all of us were not too proud to participate. I am now sitting in our luxury hotel looking at the Dead Sea in the shadow of the night, still grateful for this incredible opportunity. Just over Half the trip is underway, see ya real soon!! I love you Stacie and London!!


Here is a video for your enjoyment!

Mud from the Dead Sea...

Israel Day #4

PICTURES... Attempt to follow along throughout the day...






Today… WOW… How many days have I begun my post like that? Don’t answer that question please!! If I could give one word that describes today…. INDESCRIBABLE!! Talk about experiencing the greatness of Christ, and encountering the joy of walking where Jesus walked… None will compare with today. I stand my ground on that fact. There was NOTHING LIKE IT. Let me begin…

First stop, Capernaum… Home of Jesus for a significant period of time, and Peter’s mother in law. I will refer to some extremely familiar passages where you can envision what I speak of. As I share, try to follow along with the pictures so that you can attempt to visualize. Read John 1:21-28. This synagogue in which he preached… we stood in the back and read this passage and another about this exact synagogue. I pictured Christ standing there preaching to these men, (as he did in John 6). I could just imagine everyone being in an uproar of Jesus claiming to be the Bread of Life. Then he began to heal… everyone in need. People followed, he could not get away. His next stop, Peter’s Mother in Law’s house, John 1:19-36, we stood outside the door of this house. This is also assumed to be the house where the men dug a hole in the ceiling, and lowered the paralyzed man. This is noted in Mark 2:1-12. It was a delight to see.

Capernaum was phenomenal, but believe it or not, it was NOT the most memorable place we stood today. This place would have to be a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee... If I could have a moment of silence after writing, “a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee,” then I would, it was that surreal. (Forgive me, writing prevents me from having a moment of silence…) As I started this post, I said today was “Indescribable”, this is what comes to mind when I think of that word. It is the only word to express the overwhelming emotion that swept through my mind and body. As we took off from the dock, and began to truly gather the fact that we were riding on the sea where Jesus calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23-27), Jesus healed a demon possessed man, sending the swine into the sea (Matt 8:28-32), He called the first disciples (Mark 1:16-20), He preached parables just off the shore in a boat because the crowd was vast (Mark 4:1-3), and several, several other events took place right around this massive lake, music begin to play over the speakers… I recognized the song. As the artist began to strum his guitar, and the rhythm kicked in, I realized it was “How Great is Our God”, by Chris Tomlin. How fitting. How perfect. How much better of an example can be depicted through song on the Sea of Galilee?? I could not help it, tears welled up, and it was, as stated prior… INDESCRIBABLE!!!!

We then saw a boat from the first century that was a good replica of the boats the disciples used for fishing. You think that would be a good enough conclusion for the day, but not quite. THIS WAS ALL BEFORE LUNCH!!! We had lunch right on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, right where Jesus had conversations with the disciples, and probably spent hours praying to His Father. We laughed, skipped rocks, and just imagined Him possibly doing the same thing with 12 other men just like us.

After lunch, we embarked up a large mountain. This was called Mt Beatitudes. Yes, you guessed it, the mountain where Jesus preached the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. There was a Catholic church on the top. I stood on the top videotaping and shooting pictures envisioning the crowds looking up at him while he preached, Blessed are those who are pour in spirit… What made the image even more beautiful,… around the church and gardens, I heard the Beatitudes being read in several different languages. If that does not entirely bring praises to our King, then I don’t know what does. It was glimpse of heaven.

Last stop, Caesarea Philippi. At this location, Jesus begged the disciples, “Who do people say I am (Matthew 16:13-20)?” We also saw previous sites of pagan worship temples. Then we walked along a path of God’s creation down a stream ,which fed into the Jordan River, and saw a beautiful waterfall. On this walk, we saw every aspect of God’s wonderful artistic design, from snow-capped mountains, to gorgeous flowers, various animals, and even a gathering of cacti. It was quite the hour and half trip. The day ended by visiting a war bunker used in the early 1960’s by the Syrians. We overlooked Syria as this was on top of a mountain.

Holy Schnickies!! That was a full day, worth every second of exhaustion and fatigue. Tomorrow will be much more relaxing as we are visiting the Dead Sea, and several other places… IT DOESN’T STOP, and WE LOVE every second of it!!! Praise the Lord for allowing us to experience this incredible journey. Have a FANTASTIC Day!!