Categories
Reflection

Seven Good Things About Having Cancer, Part 3C – by Gerald Givens

Half – Content – Empowered

“Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Philippians 4:11 English Standard Version 

Is half a loaf better that no loaf? I don’t know, but a friend gave me half a dozen doughnuts yesterday, and that was lots better than no doughnuts.

Cranberry Loaf On A Wood Cutting Board Side ViewWhat about half a glass. Do you see it as half full or half empty?  If half full, are you happy you have some, or disappointed you did not get a full one, or did you get more than you wanted? If half empty, are you happy you got some, or disappointed you with what you got?

At 1345 12 October halftime is over.  Karen and I are going for my fourth infusion of Chemo.  We or rather I have a tendency to count things.  Not a necessarily Biblical concept.

For the record this is the fourth of six infusions.   I have been doing this for 64 of 126 days. If you had asked me last week was a bad one.  In addition to other complaints my eyes and nose are dripping – no cold or allergy – just dripping, and my nails and fingers have gone south.  But on Friday I visited the oncologist for blood chemistry check and check-up and his comment was, that’s the best round you had, let’s keep it up!

This morning I read in the paper about Cheyenne Dyess. She is a ten-year old who was diagnosed in late January with cancer, ‘T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.’ “The next day she began an aggressive chemotherapy treatment that will last for the next two years.” Her smiling can be seen in this 9News blog.

Hmmm – I got to go to Alaska before I started Chemo, she started the next day. I had seventy pretty healthy years, she started with ten. I am enduring six treatments over 166 days, she gets 2 years.

Cheyenne is now on my prayer list!

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 English Standard Version
Categories
Podcasts

PWTE Podcast Episode 011: Conquering Fear

Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado
Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado

In this episode of the Praying With The Eyes podcast Pastor Doug Brauner and Richelle Hecker delve into the topic of fear, a subject that most of us know quite well. They tackle how fear affects us and then discuss ways that we can deal with these fears. As we wrestle with fear we take comfort in the fact that God will not abandon us even when fear seems to consume us.

Blog: Conquering Fear

Other Resources

Scripture

 

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Life Happens

The daily struggles of life need not rob us of joy.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd.”
  

Matthew 9:36 ESV

Someday I think that I’ll be able to recline like this gnome and enjoy life. But such is not the case. Just as soon as I think things will settle down the phone rings, a deadline approaches or the car breaks down.  It seems that there is always something that gets in the way of relaxing.

This gnome keeps on smiling no matter the weather conditions, no matter if the dog knocks him over.

What are the things that harass us? Is it the mundane daily rituals that seem to invite boredom? Is it the relentless pressure of deadlines? Is it the constant, unsolicited “surprises” of life?

Things haven’t change much since Jesus’ day have they? Sheep without a shepherd is a good description of our lives.

Yet there is a Shepherd who has laid down his life for his sheep that they also might recline in the green grass of his love. No matter what attempts to steal your enjoyment of life, know that the Good Shepherd is your ultimate source of joy. It is he who keeps you smiling.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner