It was a year ago TODAY that I discovered I had a brain tumor – and then a year ago tomorrow (5/20) when I had brain surgery to have that tumor removed!   Two weeks later we learned from the biopsy results that it was an aggressive form of cancer – so for the last year I’ve been receiving preventative treatments (chemo and IV meds).  I will have another MRI in late June and then be “released” from regular treatments and shift to quarterly follow-ups with my doctor.

Here’s what I wrote in my journal today:

I believe I have been healed!  I may not be ‘cured’ – but I’ve been “made whole” by God’s grace.  As I shared with my congregation last summer – it is possible to be “cured” and yet not “healed” – and it is possible to be “healed” yet not “cured.” 

It is possible I have been “cured” – at this point there is no sign of the cancer returning.  It may come back someday – my doctor says he just doesn’t “trust” this kind of cancer – but at this point there is no sign of it and it is well with my soul.  I’ve been blessed with great medical care and supernatural prayer.

My surgeon is among the best, and he did a great job cutting that tumor out of my brain – I believe the radiation oncologist also provided me the best care available – and my oncologist has provided the best treatment available – all within 15 minutes of my home!  On top of that – I’ve had folks praying for me around the world – through the night in Burma, during the day in Haiti – and even in Kenya!  And I’ve had preschool kids praying for me!  I can’t imagine what that has done in the heart of God on my behalf!

I’m humbled – and grateful for God’s grace!  (I’m still a ‘broken jar of clay’ – in the Potter’s hand!)

 

Every Day is a Gift!

Stan

(P.S.  If you want to hear the message I shared with my congregation at Sonrise on “Healing” two months after my surgery – you can hear that here.  If you want to follow the story of my year of “healing” you can see some of my journal entries here.)

A few weeks ago, I took a picture of a tree that had fallen – but was still blooming this spring in the “orchard” at Oakwood Park on Lake Wawasee!  (see picture at the right – look closely and you’ll see the buds on both surviving, yet fallen parts of the tree trunk!)  That tree for me is a great symbol of this historic spiritual campground – while it has been knocked down, it is not knocked out!  It reminded me of the Apostle Paul’s words,

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 

- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT)

The future of Oakwood is in question again because the proposed developer is backing out of the deal to buy the property – though ultimately it will always belong to God!  In the short term, this raises some problems like, “Who will cut the grass?”  and “What about the boat docks?”  In the long term, the questions are bigger and more difficult to solve:  “Who will continue to pay to insure & maintain these facilities?”  And, “Will the hotel (Oakwood Inn) ever re-open? ”

While these are short-term temporary obstacles – mostly financial in their root – I believe it opens the door to some long-term opportunities – which could be resolved easily!  All it will take is some money – many thousands of dollars in the short-run, and likely millions of dollars in the long run!  For most of us – this is lots of money – but in God’s economy, it’s not that much!

Perhaps like me, you’ve been “knocked down” by some of life’s troubles – and you wonder if you have a future!  Don’t give up!  Don’t give in!  Keep growing!!

Like this tree, we may be ‘knocked down’ – but we are not ‘knocked out” – as long as we put our trust in God’s power!

GOD IS BIGGER THAN OUR PROBLEMS!

Preaching on Easter Sunday this year had new meaning and new “life” for me!  Here was the text I preached from – and some of my main points …

I Peter 1:3-9

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

THROUGH CHRIST, GOD HAS GIVEN US A SECOND CHANCE @ LIFE!  

(A “LIVING HOPE”) 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold,  which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine  and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

TEMPORARY TRIALS ALLOW US TO LIVE OUT ETERNAL TRUTHS!

(Not everyone does – some just get angry & bitter – but fire can also refine us!)

The ‘heat’ of the ‘fire’ can take away the ‘impurities’ in us – if we allow that.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

–       1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)

EASTER IS OUR REMINDER THAT EVEN DEATH DOES NOT HOLD POWER OVER US!

(We can have “inexpressible & glorious joy” in the face of “insurmountable & gloomy junk!”)

I feel like Lazarus … like God has raised me from the dead!

May 19^th of last year  (11 months ago) – I was diagnosed with a brain tumor!

- Less than 24 hours later – I was having brain surgery!

• I hadn’t been in the hospital as a patient since the day I was born 51 years earlier in March of 1960!  (I guess I Go BIG then Go Home!)

• Two weeks later, we learned from the pathology report that the tumor they removed from the right frontal lobe of my brain was an aggressive form of deadly cancer – glioblastoma.   My prognosis was not good.  The average life expectancy for someone with this kind of cancer at my age is not much more than 12 months.

• There were lots of tears in my family when we heard that news – and it was a shock to this church family as well.   Folks here and in other area churches – and even some of our ministry partners around the world began to pray for me – and after a number of visits with doctors, I began a treatment plan that included six weeks of focused radiation into my brain – chemotherapy – and a bi-weekly IV drug.  I’ve called this my “cancer smack down”

•  I’m about two months away from completing this one year plan of treatment!  I am very thankful for the great doctors and medical professionals that I have been fortunate to have treating me – all here in Fort Wayne, just minutes from my home.  And I am also grateful for the prayers of so many – including many of you here today.   My recent brain scans have come back indicating that I am cancer free at this point!  (By God’s grace, my brain still works fairly well – though I still have a hole in my head!)   I believe I’ve been healed!  GOD HAS GIVEN ME A SECOND CHANCE @ LIFE!!

• Like Lazarus, I’m mindful that this “second chance” won’t last forever!  My body will eventually fail me – perhaps sooner than later – I don’t know.  But I have decided I’m going to do my best to use whatever is left of my life to live for God’s glory!    It’s not about me – I’m HIS!

Today is the convergence of two unique days on the calendar … Palm Sunday & April Fools Day!  This morning I decided to bring the two together in my message at Sonrise Church!  (You can hear the audio here.)  Here is what I shared from my notes:

“HOW NOT TO BE A FOOL!”

• Don’t forget to give God PRAISE!   (Don’t be dumber than rocks!)

“If they (disciples) keep quiet, the stones will cry out!”  (Luke 19:40)

• Don’t DOUBT God’s Presence!

“A fool has said in his heart, there is no God!”  (Psalm 14:1)

•  Don’t IGNORE wise advice & counsel!

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”  (Proverbs 12:15)

•  Don’t ARGUE unnecessarily!

“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”  (Proverbs 20:3)

• Don’t let your possessions … POSSESS you!  (Be Rich toward God!)

Jesus called the rich young ruler a fool!   (Luke 12:20-21)

•  Don’t waste your life on SMALL living! (Give your life for Eternal Things!)

      “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose!”

- Jim Elliot  (Missionary/Martyr)

In my message I expanded on each of these – and the scripture offers many more bits of counsel about avoiding foolishness.  These are just some of those – and I pray these will help us live WISE lives!

Happy April Fools Day … DON’T  BE A FOOL!

I’ve been thinking some in recent days about tragic events – from a Christian perspective.

What are we to make of things when …

… a natural disaster devastates a community?

… a mother or father are seriously wounded in an accident?

… a child is diagnosed with cancer?  (or an adult?)

 

Some ask, “Where is God?” Perhaps assuming God is unaware or silent in the face of our pain.

Some wonder if God ’causes’ such events to ‘prove’ some sort of cosmic point or to punish people.

I don’t think either perspective is accurate.  Neither position is biblically-based or theologically sound.

God doesn’t ’cause’ tragedies nor is God unaware or uncaring about these horrific events.  I believe God cares deeply when His people are in pain.  Occasionally God may “intervene” in life’s tragic moments, but not always.  

In my understanding and in my experience, I think tragic events are the consequences of our own doing and our undoing because of the brokenness in us and the brokenness in our world since “the fall” recorded in Genesis 3.

I would be more inclined to point to “the enemy of our souls, the Evil One” as a cause for many tragedies – but not all of them.  To blame the Devil for all of life’s tragedies would be to give him more credit than he deserves and more power than he possesses.  I do believe the Devil is powerful, but not all-powerful!  (see more about that here)

So – what are we to make of tragedy?

Jesus said,  “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  - Matthew 5:45 (NKJV) 

When I was diagnosed with brain cancer – this was one of the first scriptures that came to my mind.

I don’t think God caused my cancer – and I don’t think God ‘allowed’ it because he wanted something to happen in my life – though I have grown in the midst of this personal health tragedy – I don’t think that is the “reason” behind it.

I think cancer is evil – and there is nothing good about it.  When ‘rebellious’ cells attack healthy cells – that seems more like the nature of evil than God!  I don’t think cancer is from God – in any way shape or form!

While I do not believe my cancer experience was God’s idea, I do believe this:

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness … And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26,28 (NIV)

A Theology of Tragedy says:

Tragic events occur – to good people and “bad” people …

     … but God’s grace is available and present throughout the tragedy!  

                                               We get to decide how we respond! 

• Only God is omnipotent - “all powerful”  (The Devil’s power is limited!)
• Only God is omniscient - “all knowing”  (The Devil doesn’t know it all!)
• Only God is omnipresent - “everywhere present”  (The Devil can only be one place at a time!)

There may be other demons present at times, but no single demon can be everywhere or know everything like God – because the Devil is nothing more than a fallen angel, a created being – not like God!

Why is this important? 

Because we don’t want to underestimate the influence of evil in our world – but let’s not overestimate it’s power!

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)

Today is my birthday … and I’m thankful!  

Sitting on my "birthday swing" at the lake!

Though my knees are wearing out and my  eyes can’t read small letters without the help of magnifying glasses – I’m thankful to be getting older!

Last year was my 51st birthday – and I figured that most of the ones ‘over 50′ would not be worthy of much celebration!  My birthday gift last year was a “porch swing” for our place at the lake – someplace where an old man could sit while the kids played!  To be honest, the swing made me feel old – but I knew it would be cool place to sit with my wife and look out at the lake!

Well – a lot has changed in the last year!

Two months after my birthday last year, I was in the hospital as a patient for the first time since my birth – and let’s just say I go big and then I go home!  In that first overnight stay at a hospital since my birth – I had brain surgery!!

After my surgery – I spent a lot of time at the lake in my “old man porch swing” recovering from having my head split open – and from getting daily radiation, chemo and IV treatments.  It was a very unique, grace-filled season in my life.

The last year has been quite a journey for me and for my family.  I am grateful for many things – for many people – for the prayers offered on my behalf – and for the great medical care I have received.

By God’s grace, my health is good, there is no sign of the cancer that attacked my brain – except for the hole left behind in the right frontal lobe of my brain!

So, as I celebrate my 52nd birthday today … I’m thankful to be getting older – to know God’s grace for getting old!

(And I’m thankful that I get to sit in my “old man porch swing” again this summer!)

Today is a unique day – one that only comes around every four years ... it is Leap Day!

There is a reason for this day, because the earth actually takes 365 days and 6 hours to completely orbit the sun – so every four years we have to ‘leap’ an extra day to keep our Gregorian calendars accurate!!  (You can read more about that here.)

This year, I am also “leaping & praising God” just like the lame beggar whose story is found in the third chapter of Acts!

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God,they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. – Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)

 

I’ve always loved this story – and when I was a young man we sang a song with kids in our church about this lame beggar who was “walking and leaping & praising God!”

This Leap Year (2012) – it is also my story!  Nine months ago I was a “lame beggar” – with a brain tumor!  And by God’s grace, today I am walking … and leaping … and praising God!

I would invite you to “leap” with me today – and praise God for His grace in your life!!

Happy Leap Day!

I love leading!

I’m wired by God to lead – from the time I was a kid, I was always leading something.  I think it is part of my spiritual gift-mix, along with teaching.  I just naturally & supernaturally gravitate towards leadership.  When I walk into a room, I begin to size things up from a leadership perspective.  This generally serves me well and I believe serves God well – but there are times when I need to lead more gently – with greater attention to relationships.  This is true in my marriage and in my ministry.

I need to lead loving! 

Recently I heard one of my respected leadership mentors say, “If you stop loving people – stop leading them!”  I think that is good advice – and I think it represents the heart of God, demonstrated in the leadership example of Jesus!

“This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”  - 1 John 3:16

 

Today is St. Valentine’s Day – a day named in honor of a saint of the church who loved lost people. Much like St. Patrick’s Day, this holiday has become commercialized and transformed into a marketing extravaganza designed to encourage people to buy loving gifts, and give loving cards to those they love.  That’s all good – but to really honor the spirit of the day, it should also be a day to demonstrate our love for all people, especially those who are far from God!

Part of being a loving Christian leader, is leading in love to be sure the message of God’s love is clearly understood by all people.  In fact, this was the heart of God when he sent his Son Jesus to dwell among us in the first place:

“This is how much God loved the world; He gave his Son, his one and only Son.  And this is why; so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”  - John 3:16 (The Message)

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!  (God Loves You Too!)

One of the books I’ve been reading has inspired me to move forward in my leadership development of others.  It gives the example of “Magic Johnson” who as a basketball player was committed to making the other players around him better – and setting them up with a great pass so they could score!  I love that – in fact, I’ve been listening to a book on CD about Magic & Larry Bird – both of them were great passers!  One of the things I learned best in my basketball experience was how to look for a good pass – and that skill is not as valued by young kids in the 3-point era.  I call it “The Lost Art of the Assist” – I would much rather make a great pass than score a great bucket when I’m playing with the guys!  And I want to do that more as a leader – to make a “Leadership Assist” by setting other leaders up to succeed!