Four years ago, today, July 17, 2017, I heard those three words, comprised of only thirteen letters, that nobody ever wants to hear… You have cancer. Nothing prepares you to hear those words.

My annual physical examination in March of that year detected a change in both my PSA level and the size and feel of my prostate. My doc referred me to a specialist and in July a biopsy indicated that I did have cancerous cells in both lateral lobes of my prostate. After researching treatment options and getting a second opinion, in October I had a radical prostatectomy to remove the cancerous prostate gland.

After my initial diagnosis, I poured myself into learning all about the disease. I read books by some of the world’s leading prostate cancer experts, researched both medical and holistic treatments, learned what part diet plays in cancer and cancer recovery, and talked with several men who themselves had prostate cancer.  

It has been forty-five months since my surgery and while not all my functions work like they did before surgery, I work to focus on the positives and the victories. During surgery and the subsequent anatomical pathology it was determined that the cancer had spread outside my prostate, thus my cancer was deemed to be Stage 3, meaning it is quite possible that some cancer cells were left in my body, but up to this point there is no indication of residual or recurrent prostate cancer! YEA! The docs did their part, and with me committed to doing my ongoing part, we continue on a journey to beat sucky cancer! We praise God for His mighty hand in this journey! And your prayers and encouragement cannot go unacknowledged either! Thank you.

For many years I had taught and preached that “a faith not tested is a faith not trusted.” Those words have become ever so real and personal to me and for me, as we walk out my life changed by, but not defined by, cancer. I did not choose to get cancer, but I can choose to walk out a life with cancer trusting God. I admit, some days I struggle, especially when “things” that don’t work right really don’t work right. Just being honest. Every day I ask God for His sustaining peace and protection over me, asking Him to walk with me.

Living with cancer is a daily grind, a daily battle, for me more an emotional battle than a physical battle, and it is by God’s grace that we can face the reality of me living with cancer. The thought of cancer is ever-present but not all-consuming. One of my go-to verses is found in Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Similarly, in Psalm 112:7 we find these words – “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”

Having cancer has also caused me re-evaluate what is and isn’t important, what is and isn’t healthy, what is and isn’t needed, what is and isn’t beneficial, and tweak my life, change up my daily rhythm, helping me to become a better and healthier version of me.

As you go about your day today, rejoice in the joys, celebrate the victories, and pick yourself up from the things that knock you down! And, regardless of whether or not you’ve experienced a life-altering event, what changes might you need to make in your own life to put yourself on a path to becoming a better version of you? What are you waiting for?

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The NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas is reported to have once said, “There is a difference between conceit and confidence. Conceit is bragging about yourself. Confidence means you believe you can get the job done.” We all know people who like to brag about themselves, but when the rubber hits the road their tires are often flat. We also know people who just seem to ooze confidence. They are like that scene from The Little Engine That Could, where the little blue railroad engine is chugging up the hill, trying to pull a long train over the mountain, while repeating the phrase “I think I can, I think I can” over and over again.

While we all know people who are confident, we probably know many more people who really doubt themselves. They are afraid or lack the confidence to try anything new. They think their seemingly low stature in life or the baggage from past experiences disqualifies them from being “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” Is it possible that the person you know who thinks like that looks back at you in the mirror each morning?

God wants to use ordinary people like you and me to do extraordinary things. God is not concerned about your past. God sees you today and has big plans for you. Right now, you might be saying, “What can I possibly have that is useful to God? I don’t have much to offer.”

There is a scene from the Wizard of Oz where the wizard has just given the Scarecrow a diploma, the Cowardly Lion a medal, and the Tin Man a heart-shaped pocket watch. After each had received his gift from the wizard it is asked what there is for Dorothy. If you know that scene, click here to watch the video clip, then you know Dorothy’s response – “I don’t think there’s anything in that black bag for me.” Many of us probably say that same thing (or at least think it) when trying to find our place in God’s economy.

Unlike Dorothy, however, there really is something in God’s bag for all of us. Not because of us, but rather, only because of God. On our own we have nothing to offer God. He is not looking for qualified people. It has nothing to do with rich or poor, young or old, male or female, black or white, college degree or GED, or any of those other markers we use to categorize ourselves and others. The world looks for people who are qualified. God on the other hand, looks for people who are simply available. When God was choosing the next king, he used different criteria for choosing a leader than did the world. Here is what we read in 1 Samuel 17:6 – “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on his height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’”

God has a plan and a purpose for your life. First and foremost, He calls us into a personal relationship with Him through the crucified and resurrected Christ. Second, He calls us to seek after Him with all we are and all we have. God is simply looking for you and me to say, “Yes, here I am, use me.”

So, today, you can have confidence that there really is something in that black bag for you!!! 

How do you respond when someone comes to you with a better way, at least better according to them? Do you get defensive and think to yourself “Who made you the expert?” or do you listen to their advice? Admittedly, there are a lot of armchair quarterbacks who always seem to know the best way to do just about everything. I remember years ago I hired a staff accountant who had just graduated from college a few months earlier. This young man had only been on the job one week when he presented me with a list of twenty things that we needed to improve on. Really? But there are also times when the person is genuine in their desire to help us become more effective and efficient.

Today I want to share a story from John’s Gospel that occurred about a week after Jesus had been crucified, buried, and raised from the tomb, and began to reappear to people in the area. The story begins like this – It is morning and Jesus’ disciples, who are also experienced fishermen, are sitting in their boat on the Sea of Galilee, disappointed that they had caught no fish all night long. (We find a similar story at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, found in Luke 5:1-11.)

Let’s continue the story by looking at the text, found in John chapter 21 – Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish (21:4-6).

The disciples did then recognize Jesus (v.7). The story ends by telling us that the men sat on the shore enjoying a breakfast of bread and grilled fish with Jesus. As a side note, in v.11, John tells us the number of fish found in the net, 153, thus giving credibility to this story since he must have been an eyewitness to know the exact number of fish. I encourage you to read this entire account in its context, John 21:1-14.

Unlike the armchair quarterback who always has a seemingly better way, often without any expertise or involvement, Jesus calls us to be faithful and obedient to His way, which is always the best way. He calls us to faithfully cast out our nets, sending us into the world, to change lives, feed the sick, clothe the naked, heal the sick, to love the unloved. We are responsible to cast out the nets. Jesus is responsible for what comes back in.

Today, cast your nets, maybe even in places where fishing doesn’t look too promising, and allow Jesus to work in you and through you.

Have you ever been asked to do something one way but you decided to do it another? In college I had a track coach who was an All-American a few years earlier in the event he was coaching me in. He wanted me and a teammate to train a certain way, push ourselves with extremely hard workouts, but we didn’t like that regimen, so we did it our own way, and most likely never lived up to our potential. Well, at least me not reaching my potential, since this particular teammate was also a great football player and played professional football for a number of years.

We are a disobedient people. We do not like to be told what to do and when to do it, even if those requests are for our own good and in our best interests. And there consequences to our actions, and sometimes those consequences are negative to us and our loved ones. 

You might be familiar with a story in the Old Testament in which Jonah was asked by God to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and bring the people there to repentance (Jonah 1:1-2). That didn’t sound like a good idea to Jonah. He apparently didn’t believe the Ninevites would listen to him nor did he want to see God extend mercy to those people. So, rather than obeying God, Jonah jumped on the next boat heading out of town, literally. He boarded a ship headed to the Tarshish (1:3). Compared to the dangers of going to Nineveh, this ship offered freedom and liberation as it sailed on the expanses of the wide open Mediterranean Sea. The lure of the unknown beckoned Jonah. Have you ever found yourself in that place?  

During the voyage, the ship encountered a storm (1:4-6) and the sailors cast lots to see who was responsible for this storm endangering them (1:7). The story tells us that it was determined that Jonah was the cause of the storm, so to save their own lives, the sailors through Jonah overboard (1:8-16).

But Jonah did not drown. It is likely that he bobbed up and down in the waters before being swallowed by a big fish and was in his belly for three days and three nights (1:17). While in the fish, Jonah cries out to God, begging and pleading, then ultimately praising God for sparing his life (Chp. 2) So, this fish really saved Jonah’s life. Even in our disobedience, God rescues us. That does not mean there will not be consequences, but in God’s sovereignty and loving care, he saves us.

The story goes on to tell us that after being vomited out of the fish’s mouth, Jonah did eventually go to Nineveh where he caused them to turn from their wicked ways, and in doing so God did not bring destruction on the land (Chp. 3). But by the tone of the text it appears that Jonah did not seem too happy to be doing this task; he was obedient in action but with a disapproving heart (Chp. 4).  

The entire book of Jonah is referenced above, in piecemeal fashion. To read it in its entirety, click here.

Have you ever found yourself bobbing up and down in the water, or maybe worse yet, in belly of a big fish?

Do you serve God only when it is convenient? Do you obey Him but mumble under your breath? Or do you serve and obey God even when it isn’t convenient and you really don’t want to do whatever it is that He is asking of you?  

Do you ever feel as if your every move is being watched? As a kid, no matter how hard I tried to sneak around, my parents always seemed to have “eyes in the back of their heads.” When our daughters were looking for colleges, one of the reasons they did not want to attend the college in the small town we lived in is because I had relationships with many of the administrators at that college and the girls were convinced that every move they made would be reported back to us. That wouldn’t have been the case, but I get it.

J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime Director of the FBI, is well known to have compiled confidential files on a great many Americans, much of which exceeded the jurisdiction of the FBI. For those in Hoover’s crosshairs, every move was surveilled and recorded, often to be used as blackmail. Today, with the rise of cell phone cameras and recording capabilities, what used to be “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” is now viewed by millions on social media. Seemingly, these days, on every street corner and in every building, there is a security camera, recording every move of those within the camera’s range.

Many people feel like every move they make is scrutinized. I once worked for a company where the boss seemed to know how many times that I left my desk or went to the bathroom. I believe that most people like to feel as if they are seen, but not to the point where they have no privacy. Robyn and I enjoy spending time with each other but we also at certain times just need our own space, not having our every move monitored and inspected. None of us likes to be watched every minute of every day. We like some level of privacy. Usually when someone is under constant surveillance it is not for their benefit, but rather, for the purpose of catching them in some act; to be able to them say “Aha, I caught you!”

We have a God who watches over us every minute of every day, constant surveillance if you will, not to “catch us,” but instead, to help us. We are never out of His sight. He keeps watchful eye on us to guide us, protect us, correct us, all done in the name of love.

Psalm 139 is a beautiful reminder of God’s perfect knowledge of every man, woman and child. It begins with these words – “You have searched me, LORD, and know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, you lay your hand upon me” (vv.1-5).

The psalm goes on to tell us that God created us and knitted us in our mother’s womb. He knew us and was with us even before we were born, and that today, wherever we are, He is. David, the writer of this psalm, pleads with God to never leave him. He ends the psalm with these words – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

So, today, in a world of constant and often invasive surveillance, be thankful that we have a God, a Loving Father, who knows your every move, your every struggle, your every need, and who says to you – where you are, I am also, trust in Me!

Are you a person who has lots of friends or only a few friends? And by that I do not simply mean the people you share space with – neighbors, co-workers, classmates, etc., or the “friends” you’ve accumulated on social media. Instead, I am asking whether or not you have people you have grown to love and respect, people you have real intimacy with.

Robyn and I have a group of college friends with whom we’ve shared life with for more than forty years. We’ve been there for each other through the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the twists and turns. Our friendships even survived years of camping trips in ninety-degree heat and torrential downpours. Our kids grew up together, and to this day, many of them still call me Uncle Fly. (Why Fly, you ask? That’s a story for a different day.) We don’t get together quite as often as we once did, but when we do, we simply pick up where we left off. It is a beautiful thing!

This group, they are true and special friends, people I would fight for and who can count on me to “always” be there for them. But if truth be told, I am sure that I’ve disappointed them more than once, in more ways than I would like to admit. That’s just the reality of my sinful nature. Before you judge me, remember you too have that same sinful nature (Is 53:6, Ecc 7:20, Rom 3:23).   

We are not meant to walk through life all alone. We are made by God to be relational people. That was God’s plan from the beginning. After forming Adam from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7), we read this in v.18 – “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” And from the rib of Adam, God made Eve – “And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man” (v.22).

It is interesting to note that two similar but different root words are used: in v.7 God “formed” man (Hebrew: yatsar – to form as a potter, take an existing substance and mold it into shape) while in v.22, the text tells us He “made” the woman (Hebrew: banah – to build, a sense of adding what was not there before).

I cherish the fact that other people call me their friend. As sweet as that is, Jesus also calls me His friend. That’s right, the Son of God, the One who sits at the right hand of the Father, calls me friend. After the Last Supper with His disciples, in what is called the Farewell Discourse (John chapters 15-17), Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure from them. In Chp.15, Jesus positions Himself as the source of life for the world and builds the model for real and true relationship, first with Him, and then secondly, with one another. He goes on to say that the marker, that which differentiates His followers from the world, is love, being modeled in and through real relationships, again, first with God, and then with others.

It is in that context that Jesus calls those who are committed to Him, friend, yes, His friend! In John 15:14-15 we see these words – “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

So, today, as you look over your own life and count up your friends, do you consider Jesus to be your friend? He is the one friend who will never let you down, never turn His back on you, never put own His interests before yours. He is your one True Friend, the One you can always count on, no matter what!