Never Give A Cancer An Even Break

     We are all different. Even under that battered, wind torn umbrella called "Cancer", each of us prefixes it with a different organ. And even those cancers that share specific locales are played out in different stages.
     That being said, we have some things in common as well. We all have battle scars. We all remember the moment we found out. And we all, as long as there is life within us, are survivors. Each day of life, whether proclaimed cancer free, or in the midst of the battle, is another day we win, we survive. I think there are several ways we can optimize that survival, and these are a few I have found. Some may be helpful, some not, or may toss the whole list entirely. that is entirely up to you, and you won't hurt my feelings in the least. Even I don't always adhere to the list, so much as aspire!

How To Be A Cancer Survivor
1.) Be Strong - To paraphrase W C Fields, "Never give a cancer an even break"! Always know that you are stronger than this thing inside you, and nothing it may take can change that. And while it may change your life, don't let it define your life.
2.) Be Helpless, not Hopeless - There will be times when we all simply need a hand, and it is not weakness to accept it. When you do accept that help, it allows those who offer the ability to journey with us. Remember that when we divide the weakness, we multiply the strength.
3.) Be Understanding - There will be friends who will seem to drift and fade into old memories of "I wonder what happened to...", all because of cancer. Don't be upset by their departure, but pity their fear. Cancer reminds people of their own mortality. Even though Jim Morrison said "No one here gets out alive", nobody likes to be reminded of their departure ticket! Don't be worried by their going, there are others who will stay. To them, give love with all your heart.
4.) Be Multi-Purposed - Work, home, kids, church, school, doctors appointments, sports, meetings, cook, clean and "don't forget to take time for yourself"! At the End of the Day? Wash the cares out of your hair...rinse, repeat the next day!
5.) Be Self-Humored - Always be ready to laugh at your cancer. Laughter is the most fierce weapon in defeating any enemy, because to laugh at something we take away its control over us. As absurd as life is with cancer, humor is never far away! (As an example: Just during the writing of this post, I've been to the bathroom 4 times. Not sure if that's a statement about the quality of my writing or not!)
6.) Be Vocal - Don't be afraid to speak out or speak up for yourself. But don't speak just to add to the noise, speak to add your voice to the conversation. The more people are heard, the more the complexities of cancer (and life) can be understood.
7.) Be Faithful - As a Christian, my faith has been the strongest thing (along with my wife) to keep me going, even when the only thing I could do was look up and say "Why me?". But cancer is no respecter of any religion, or deference of religion. That is its greatest weakness. Hold on at the very least to the faith that there is something bigger than ourselves, something bigger than the cancer. Follow that light inside, and rest in knowing you are not alone, and cancer is not over all else in you.

So remember...Be Strong, Be Helpless, Be Understanding, Be Multi-Purposed, Be Self-Humored, Be Vocal, Be Faithful, and most of all, be Yourself. There is none better.

Christmas Every Day!

     Hello. My name is Mark (Hi, Mark), and I'm a Christmas Junkie. I enjoy Christmas music all times of the year, and I keep a 365 day countdown calendar at my desk. I love everything about Christmas (except maybe fruitcakes).
     I realize that many would claim Easter to be the more important holiday in the Christian year. I wouldn't disagree with that point. Without Jesus death and resurrection, Christmas would have no meaning, just another long winter day that causes the addition of at least 5 extra pounds of weight. But for me, the distinction is this...When Christ died and rose again, it was once for all our sin. When we give of ourselves for Him, Jesus Christ is born again!
     Every time you show love to another, you show him Christ. Jesus is presented new and fresh and, just like Christmas, is born again to someone on Earth. every time you purposely show kindness to another, show love, not hate or judgement, He is born again. New and fresh and surprising, not just to those who don't know Him, but even to those that do.
     And this love should be given to all people, not just those to whom it is easy to show love, but to those who make it difficult to love. Especially to those who are difficult to love, because they need to see the love of God the most. And just like the advertisements for a certain gym, that love must be given in a "No Judgement" zone. It is not ours to judge others for what they do, that's between them and God, not us. But if we don't show them God's unconditional love, then that's back on us, not others! Other people can't be blamed for not wanting something they've never seen nor felt, and we've never shown or given.
     Back to my point. (I do tend to wander :) )Christmas is something that can come everyday, because every time we love, react, act with kindness, or otherwise treat others as He would treat them, Christ is come into the Earth again. Let's have Christmas Every Day! (minus the fruitcake for me though.)
     And now, I have a little poem for you to send you on your way, hope you enjoy it!

Jesus Christ is Born

We celebrate this special day.
Jesus Christ is born.
To all the world we gladly say
Jesus Christ is born.

With friends and family so dear
All our loved ones gathered near
let's not forget just why we're here
Jesus Christ is born.

When we give love to fellow man
Jesus Christ is born.
And offer them a helping hand
Jesus Christ is born.

When Jesus died and rose again
It was just once for all our sin.
But whenever we give ourselves for Him
Jesus Christ is born!   

The Last Night Before Christmas

A Christmas offering for all...Merry Christmas!

The Last Night Before Christmas

On a night in the future, time still unknown
All of Earth seems in ruin, humanity gone.

Rumors of Wars have covered the globe
The simplest of food worth its weight in gold.
Tornadoes and earthquakes, fires and floods,
The sun barely light, the moon like blood.

The fish have been boiled by the heat of the sea.
The trees and the gardens as dry as can be.
The rivers are bitter, no water to drink.
All of creation is perched on the brink.

Still brother hates brother, and blames for his woes,
all but himself, and doesn't suppose
His own self the culprit, the reason for ruin.
And so he continues to seal his own doom.

When out of the east, in the clouds should appear
a rider on horseback, a Savior so dear.
His Sceptre in hand, and crown on His head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

With a thundering voice, He calls up His own,
both living and past, to join at His throne.
Then angelic armies, the warriors of God
Soon blot out the sky with their glorious throng.

A charge is then called, final war is begun
And Lucifer's children battle God's Holy Son.
But unlike First Christmas, a baby alone,
This time as a King, reclaiming His own.

When all the dust settles, and fighting is done,
He shall be triumphant, and we shall be one.
New heaven and Earth will be ours on that day.
And all of our tears and our pain washed away.

As once the world waited for Him to appear,
Again it is Advent, His coming is near.
First Christmas has come, we hallow the night.
Last Christmas is coming, when all is made right.

Like First Christmas was, it shall be again,
For God will come down and make His home with man

Catfish

I love catfish. Especially the catfish my brother-in-law, Mike Jones, used to make. My mouth starts to drool just thinking about it. But apparently, this word has taken on a new meaning. Now, catfish also refers to an online relationship on facebook, but one party is not really who they say they are.The most recent example of this is the Notre Dame football player, Manti Te'o, who had a long term relationship with a girl he never saw, then thought had died, then thought was alive, then found out never was! (Wow, and I thought it was tough back when I was dating!) MTV even has a new reality show, "Catfish", that has two guys exposing these fake profiles.

This phenomenon is nothing new. We've seen it in online dating services, phone date lines, even web chat rooms (BTW, ESPECIALLY if you're under 18, be very careful what you say in a web chat room. You NEVER know for sure who you're talking to!) The question that always arises from this form of relationship, at least by everyone else, is "How can you be in a long term, loving relationship with someone you've never seen?!".

Well, I have a confession to make...I am in a catfish relationship. I know their love is deeper than any sea, higher than any mountain, wider than any river (insert Motown song here). Their love is kind, forgiving and patient, and even though I've never laid eyes on my love, I could not exist without it. My catfish is named "Jesus".

And He even saw this problem coming, some 2000 years ago, when talking to His disciples (John 20:28-29). He's got a pretty full bio published - What He looked like (Is 53:2-3), What He looks like to those who KNOW Him (Luke 9:28-36), His personality (I Corinthians 13: 4-8, and so much more!). And even with all MY faults, His love continues to be faithful. (check out the book of Hosea - This guy had a wife with the unfortunate name of "Gomer". She left and came back so many times you could call her "Yo-Yo!).

The great thing about this relationship is that its not exclusive! Anybody can get in on this good thing (John 3:16-17) and the more, the merrier! (2 Peter 3:9) I know how difficult it can be to love Someone you've never seen. Even St. Augustine said "Unless you believe, you will not be understood". But this love, like ANY love, requires faith and hope to survive. (Hmmm... I Corinthians again...) And half the battle is done because He loved us, each of us, from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-5).

Stepping out in faith into any relationship can feel a little scary, and it seems much easier to stay status quo. But look at it logically. If the love of Jesus is false, but you believe in it, at the end of your life you leave the world no worse off, and maybe a little better. BUT, if the love of Jesus is TRUE (and I believe it is), and yet you refused to let yourself enjoy and partake in that love, how much you are missing!

Bottom line, my "Catfish" is an open relationship, based on my faith in Him (and more than a little bit of His faith in me!). I am to love my brothers and sisters, even the ones that don't like me, and His love is to all the world. Want in??

Generations

Hello, everyone! Was reading this morning, and came across a scripture that I've read many times, but today came at me from a different angle. The scripture was Psalm 90, and it was in the very first verse.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. (ESV)

Normally, I read that, and think of God being eternal, and all knowing, and the like. Today, I started thinking of how God was there for my family this generation, and the past one, and the one before that, and so on. And I wonder how I stack up compared to my God-fearing generations before.

I think to my Grandfather Frizzell, he was a hard working, good man. Used to do collection work, back when that was done going to a person's door, rather than over the phone (aka-my job!). At his funeral, there were people there that no one in the family recognised. We found that there were times when a family was having difficulty, he'd help them out. Never told anyone, just did it.

My Dad, I could give all kinds of examples, but the one that always stayed in the forefront was when I was 19 or 20. I was at the salvage yard, getting a carburetor for my very mix and match car. I realised I had left my check book at home, and would need to go back for it. Offering to leave the carburetor and come back, the owner said "That's OK, I know your dad, you're good for it." I remember thinking "Wow. My dad's reputation is so good, it extends to me without even having to earn it!"

I see all of this, in my family history, and sometimes think "I don't even come close to being so generous, so honest, so, well, good." If not for Christ, I could claim no goodness at all, and my being in Him is not because of anything of my doing, but all because of His compassion.

That's where this verse hit me today. "our dwelling place for all generations." In thinking back, I know there must have been times when my dad felt right at the point of losing it, or maybe even did, but his dwelling place was Christ, and that was so much more than himself, that became who he was. Same with my grandfather. And thank God, same with myself. Not myself, but He who is in me who is greater, and truer, and purer that I could ever be.

Now there are generations in front of me. Generations that are being raised in God-fearing homes, and already in their young lives have Christ in their hearts. Who will grow up and say, "I can never live up to who my parents were". But they have made God their dwelling place as well, just as those before them.

So I look to that dwelling place, and see my Grandfather, my Father, my Brother, Sister and I, my Nephews and Nieces, their children as well, and so many others in our family. And I thank God, and take comfort, that He is our dwelling place.

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?

As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion

What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who have love that's now departed
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.

     (This is a sermon from a few years back - still seems fitting)
     Most of you know I'm a firm believer in the "gospel according to Motown" and this song is one of the greats. Jimmy Ruffin, 1957 (yes, over 50 years old, and if you actually remember it...you don't have to admit it!), but for such an upbeat tune, the lyrics are downright depressing. But just work with me here, and keep this song handy.
     Let's do some time travel here. Let's go back, way back. Back to A.D. 30, in a synagogue in the town of Nazareth. The place is packed this Sabbath, because word has gotten out that Jesus, local son made good, will speak. And when He speaks, people tend to listen. Not just for the scripture, any Joe Shmoe could do that, but He'll get to talk about it as well, and Jesus spoke as if He really understood.
     Now, Jesus is walking to the podium, reaches to the wall behind him and pulls out a scroll. Gently kissing the seal, he open it up, then unrolls it, and begins to read.

"The Spirit of Adonai ELOHIM is upon me, because ADONAI has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark."

(The Complete Jewish Bible - Isaiah 61:1)

     He carefully rolls the scroll back together, kisses the seal again, and replaces it. In the pause, the congregation is getting excited, and the whispers are everywhere. "This is one of the Messiah scriptures! I can't wait to see what he says. OK, so its not one of the 'blast the enemys' ones, but it's still good!"

     Jesus stood before them and said "This day has this scripture been fulfilled in your presence."

     The audience was stunned.

"What did he say...this day this scripture will..."

"No, he said this scripture has."

"But that would mean he's the...oh no, he's not going there! We know his brothers, we know his mother..."

"Nobody knows the father!"

"How dare he blasphemy in G*d's house?"

"KILL HIM!...STONE HIM!"

     The men picked up stones and chased him, but just when they thought he was caught, he simply walked through the midst of them.

     Wow, these guys were really ticked off, but why? Well, for one thing, making the claim of Messiah was dangerous at best. But the Messiah they were looking for was one that would "crush the oppressor" not "heal the broken hearted". They had taken just about enough of Roman rule, thank you very much. So this didn't set well at all.

     Just what did Jesus mean by "broken hearted" anyway? The word for broken here is "Shabar" which translates "break in pieces, tear, rend violently, quench". That's a lot more than the "Boy loses Girl" those words usually bring up. So how deep was this "broken heartedness"?

     Let's hit the way back machine again, and travel all the way back to the garden (another great song, BTW). Eve out gathering ingredients for her famous apple dumpling, and the serpent appears.

 "Eve, you don't want those...look what I've got over here on this tree."

But we're not supposed to eat those."

"Oh, but come on, this fruit is to DIE for."

     So, she eats. And where was Adam? Not off naming the animals! Scripture says she ate, then turned to him, gave to him, and he ate. Yes, folks, Adam was there the whole time. Adam could have stopped it at any time, but...he didn't. And that's when the "broked-ness" occurred. At that moment we were "rent violently" from God himself, torn, broken in pieces, ...quenched.

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the broken hearted".

       Well, let's see how that healings going so far, shall we? In the last two weeks (this was back in 2007).....

Don Imus proved racism is alive and kicking.

The Duke lacrosse case showed hatred can be stirred with no evidence.

A gunman goes on a university campus and shoots 50 people, killing 32.

One day of Iraq bombing kills over 230, wounding hundreds more.

Oh, and in a small printing shop in Turkey, men broke in and slit the throats of it's three employees. Their crime...printing bibles.

     "Why don't you just come down and blow these people out of the water? If you want healing, then you've got to cut out the cancer...right?"

     But healing won't come that way. In WWII, Hitler was taken out, but there is still an Arian Nation and the Nazi Party survives. Sadaam Hussien is no more, but bombings are still a daily occurrence, just as sure as waking up in the morning. We took out Osama Bin Laden, but there are myriad more ready to take his place. You see, the "brokenness" goes further than a person here or a group there. Thanks to Adam, all of humankind became diseased, we all were "rent violently" from God.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the brokenhearted."

Well, how do you intend on doing that?

     The same way the break occurred. We were torn from God because of one man, Adam. So our healing comes because of one man, Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross was the only sacrifice strong enough to bridge the gap mankind had created.

     "Well, great, but back to point number one, since this has happened, evil is still here. NOW WHAT!?"

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the broken hearted."

     If cutting out the evil won't work, then how does healing occur? By one man sin arrived, bu one sin was conquered, and broken hearts are healed the same way - one heart at a time.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

     God doesn't just tweak the heart we've got. He doesn't do a bypass. He takes out the "Heart of stone" and puts in a "heart of flesh". And not just any heart, but His heart, His Spirit. The broken hearted are healed, one heart at a time, with the only thing that can bring together that which is broken, His own heart.

     A friend of mine writes in a blog, and recently he spoke about the Mary Winkler case. Now, no matter what side of this you take, it has had the positive aspect of bringing abuse to a national debate. In my friends blog, he mentioned how he had always talked to his son about "never hitting a woman". Now his son, big for his age of 10, shows every sign of being a man who will not allow abuse to occur at his hands, and his father couldn't be prouder. One person, one heart who will not share the disease.

What becomes of the broken hearted. "I have come to heal the broken hearted."

One heart at a time.

Very short one here, borrowed from Jon Wise at http://www.jonwise.org. Use this sentence to help you with all the busyness that gets in the way of prayer. God Bless.