Tuesday, October 23, 2012
4th Annual Day of Hope
It's time to be encouraged and inspired! On November 4th, the Christ Over Cancer ministry at Woodawn Church of Christ will present our 4th Annual Day of Hope event. This free event will be held at 4pm at Woodlawn Church of Christ. The church is at the corner of Hwy 72 and Bailey Springs Road in Florence, AL, across from the Indian Springs Subdivision entrance and next door to Jennifer House. Our address is 101 CR 323, Florence, AL.
This year, Laurie Mitchell an ovarian cancer survivor will speak as well as Ron Beavers, a glioblastoma brain tumor survivor. Both will tell of how God has helped them deal with cancer. Their stories will encourage and give hope to others that have been affected by cancer. In addition, the Ambassadors, an acapella singing group from Freed Hardeman University will give an inspirational performance to uplift all that attend as well. Attendees will receive a free copy of the Christ Over Cancer book, which has many cancer survivor stories of how God gave them hope during their bout with cancer. We will also be introducing the new Christ Over Cancer Kits which will be available to newly diagnosed patients to provide them with much needed comfort and support during their battle with cancer. Additionally, the new Christ Over Cancer website will be launched that day and will provide more functionality and ministry capabilities than we have had in the past.
The theme for this year's event is LIVE WEAK, GOD IS STRONG , 2 Cor 12:10. The Christ Over Cancer ministry at Woodlawn is in it's 4th year and to date, thousands of people have been encouraged by the words of fellow cancer survivors who tell of how with God that there is always HOPE! This free event is for anyone that has been affected by cancer, including caregivers, and is in need of a little encouragement. A reception will follow the program to allow survivors and caregivers a chance to meet and make new friendships. We hope to see you there. If you have questions, please give us a call at 256.767.3170.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
My family and I recently joined a gym. As everyone does when they join a gym, I had the high hopes that in no time at all, I would look and feel fantastic. My plan for working out 3 times a week ended up being more like 1 time a week or none at all. After several months of this, my muscles had not grown at all because I had not exercised them enough.
The same can be true for our faith in God. Have you ever noticed that you feel closest to God and more in touch with Him when things are going badly in your life? It just seems that when we're at our lowest point (or weakest point), that we will finally depend on God and place our faith in Him. When things are going great, we tend to depend too much on ourselves.
Like our muscles, our faith in God only grows when it is exercised. If you are like me, problems and trials are not welcomed guests in your life. But, perhaps, if we take a different attitude towards them, we can use them to our advantage. Knowing these weak times in our lives bring opportunities to strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God through a stronger trust in Him, can make all the difference in the way we face life's problems. I believe that is what is meant by the verse in 2 Corinthian 12:10 which says: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
That is the theme for this year's Christ Over Cancer Day of Hope Event set for Nov 4th at 4pm at Woodlawn Church of Christ in Florence, AL. We hope to carry the message that God gives strength to the weak to all cancer survivors and their families. Please make plans to be with us on this awesome day of encouragement.
God Bless!
The same can be true for our faith in God. Have you ever noticed that you feel closest to God and more in touch with Him when things are going badly in your life? It just seems that when we're at our lowest point (or weakest point), that we will finally depend on God and place our faith in Him. When things are going great, we tend to depend too much on ourselves.
Like our muscles, our faith in God only grows when it is exercised. If you are like me, problems and trials are not welcomed guests in your life. But, perhaps, if we take a different attitude towards them, we can use them to our advantage. Knowing these weak times in our lives bring opportunities to strengthen our faith and bring us closer to God through a stronger trust in Him, can make all the difference in the way we face life's problems. I believe that is what is meant by the verse in 2 Corinthian 12:10 which says: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
That is the theme for this year's Christ Over Cancer Day of Hope Event set for Nov 4th at 4pm at Woodlawn Church of Christ in Florence, AL. We hope to carry the message that God gives strength to the weak to all cancer survivors and their families. Please make plans to be with us on this awesome day of encouragement.
God Bless!
Monday, August 6, 2012
It's Your Decision
Recently, with all of the news coming out regarding the scandal at Penn State University and in particular, Joe Paterno’s involvement, it made me stop and think about the impact of our decision making. Joe Paterno was a highly revered coach by millions and no doubt has made a positive impact on various people at different points in his life. For all the right decisions he has made and all the awards he had previously received, he will now be remembered most for the big decision regarding an awful situation that he got terribly wrong. He will now always be remembered for his last decision.
If you think about it, in the world’s eyes, we are only as good as our last decision. Each day, we make hundreds, if not thousands of decisions. What to wear, what to eat, what to say, to lie or cheat. We decide if we’ll be mad, we decide if we’ll be glad. We choose to say it is not fair, we choose to love and we choose to care.
We never know which decision will be our last. God is the only one who knows that answer. How do you want to be remembered? If you’re fighting cancer, do you want to be an inspiration to others and seen as a fighter? If your co-workers are complaining, do you want to join in or stand up and remind them to be grateful for what they do have? So many decisions, so little time. Remember WWJD (what would Jesus do) and make your last decision your best decision. Now, it’s up to you. It’s cliché, but it’s so true because ultimately, ….. IT IS YOUR DECISION.
God Bless!
If you think about it, in the world’s eyes, we are only as good as our last decision. Each day, we make hundreds, if not thousands of decisions. What to wear, what to eat, what to say, to lie or cheat. We decide if we’ll be mad, we decide if we’ll be glad. We choose to say it is not fair, we choose to love and we choose to care.
We never know which decision will be our last. God is the only one who knows that answer. How do you want to be remembered? If you’re fighting cancer, do you want to be an inspiration to others and seen as a fighter? If your co-workers are complaining, do you want to join in or stand up and remind them to be grateful for what they do have? So many decisions, so little time. Remember WWJD (what would Jesus do) and make your last decision your best decision. Now, it’s up to you. It’s cliché, but it’s so true because ultimately, ….. IT IS YOUR DECISION.
God Bless!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Be Kinder Than Necessary
Oh gross, that is so disgusting! As I sat in the lane trying to enter the airport parking garage, the car in front of me was stopped while the lady in front had her door open tossing her cookies. Couldn’t she have waited until she got inside and not made the rest of us nauseated, I thought to myself? Thanks lady, thanks a lot. That’s just what I wanted to see this morning.
My morning continued. I’m almost to the TSA security podium and I can’t locate my boarding pass. “Next,” calls the TSA agent whose name tag read TED. I’m frantically searching through my briefcase, my pockets, the ground…. “NEXT,” he calls again a little more emphatically! Finally, I find it and step to the podium. The agent gives me this look that says,…. you, mr. business, are what’s wrong with this world. In fact, he gave me a lecture on being prepared and how my actions have delayed the entire process. I walk away thinking, “what a jerk.” I pitied the poor family that had to live with a crusty sack like that. After the scanner gave the green light that I had not ingested a bomb device, I picked up my belongings. As I did so, I overheard one TSA agent asking the other if they had heard about Ted’s house being foreclosed. The other agent commented that he had and that Ted’s entire family was now having to live with relatives. I thought to myself, that could explain Ted’s scowl this morning and that maybe, just maybe, I should cut him some slack.
My day continues. Finally, I’m boarding the plane and guess who I get to sit beside… you guessed it,.. “The Cookie Tosser” from earlier this morning. The gaunt and frail lady and her husband were seated in the center and window seats and I was on the aisle. I sat down , thinking that I had the worst luck in the world b/c I had to sit beside her and expose myself to a potential virus. If that weren’t bad enough, the flight attendant announced that we would be delayed leaving the gate as some guests needed some extra time boarding the plane. Great, I thought, just great, more bad luck for me. When it rains it pours I guess. Not only do I have to sit by virus lady, now I’m going to be late for my meeting because of someone else’s procrastination. Good grief.
As I sat there thinking how bad my day was going, I glanced over to see what virus lady was reading. It was a pamphlet from MD Andersen Cancer Center in Houston titled, “Coping With Chemotherapy.” Suddenly, I realized what was going on. She had cancer and was headed for cancer treatment in Houston. Well, don’t I feel like the biggest jerk for having bad thoughts about her. Almost at the same moment, another announcement blared from the flight attendant, “ Ladies and gentlemen, our last guests are now boarding, please give these wounded gulf war veterans a round of applause as they board.” I looked down the aisle to see two young soldiers dressed in their military best, who were missing their legs, being assisted onto the plane as the entire cabin was filled with clapping and whistling of thankfulness. Okay, now I’m wondering if there is a rock someplace that I could crawl under. It hit me and it hit me hard. How selfish I had been to only think of myself. These people had a lot more difficulties than me, yet I had only been concerned about myself and my inconvenience. I remembered a quote that a close friend of mine puts at the end of his emails and it took on new meaning for me today. “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” That day taught me a lesson that I won’t soon forget. Until we spend time in someone else’s shoes, we really have no idea what they are facing. So, the next time your day is made a little harder because of someone else, give them a pass because you never know the battle they are facing.
My morning continued. I’m almost to the TSA security podium and I can’t locate my boarding pass. “Next,” calls the TSA agent whose name tag read TED. I’m frantically searching through my briefcase, my pockets, the ground…. “NEXT,” he calls again a little more emphatically! Finally, I find it and step to the podium. The agent gives me this look that says,…. you, mr. business, are what’s wrong with this world. In fact, he gave me a lecture on being prepared and how my actions have delayed the entire process. I walk away thinking, “what a jerk.” I pitied the poor family that had to live with a crusty sack like that. After the scanner gave the green light that I had not ingested a bomb device, I picked up my belongings. As I did so, I overheard one TSA agent asking the other if they had heard about Ted’s house being foreclosed. The other agent commented that he had and that Ted’s entire family was now having to live with relatives. I thought to myself, that could explain Ted’s scowl this morning and that maybe, just maybe, I should cut him some slack.
My day continues. Finally, I’m boarding the plane and guess who I get to sit beside… you guessed it,.. “The Cookie Tosser” from earlier this morning. The gaunt and frail lady and her husband were seated in the center and window seats and I was on the aisle. I sat down , thinking that I had the worst luck in the world b/c I had to sit beside her and expose myself to a potential virus. If that weren’t bad enough, the flight attendant announced that we would be delayed leaving the gate as some guests needed some extra time boarding the plane. Great, I thought, just great, more bad luck for me. When it rains it pours I guess. Not only do I have to sit by virus lady, now I’m going to be late for my meeting because of someone else’s procrastination. Good grief.
As I sat there thinking how bad my day was going, I glanced over to see what virus lady was reading. It was a pamphlet from MD Andersen Cancer Center in Houston titled, “Coping With Chemotherapy.” Suddenly, I realized what was going on. She had cancer and was headed for cancer treatment in Houston. Well, don’t I feel like the biggest jerk for having bad thoughts about her. Almost at the same moment, another announcement blared from the flight attendant, “ Ladies and gentlemen, our last guests are now boarding, please give these wounded gulf war veterans a round of applause as they board.” I looked down the aisle to see two young soldiers dressed in their military best, who were missing their legs, being assisted onto the plane as the entire cabin was filled with clapping and whistling of thankfulness. Okay, now I’m wondering if there is a rock someplace that I could crawl under. It hit me and it hit me hard. How selfish I had been to only think of myself. These people had a lot more difficulties than me, yet I had only been concerned about myself and my inconvenience. I remembered a quote that a close friend of mine puts at the end of his emails and it took on new meaning for me today. “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.” That day taught me a lesson that I won’t soon forget. Until we spend time in someone else’s shoes, we really have no idea what they are facing. So, the next time your day is made a little harder because of someone else, give them a pass because you never know the battle they are facing.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
It Really Is A Wonderful Life
I WISH I WERE NEVER BORN! Have you ever heard someone say this? I’m sure all of us as children have said this when we didn’t get our favorite candy or other trivial desire that seemed crucial at the time. But, this statement reminds me of George Bailey in my favorite Christmas movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” During a big ole pity party of feeling sorry for himself, our buddy George wished he had never been born. His wish was granted and an angel named “Clarence” showed George what life would have been like if he were never in this world. A surprised George saw that without his presence on this Earth, many bad things would have occurred.
• His beloved brother Harry would have drowned
• A pharmacist’s career would have been ruined b/c he gave the wrong medicine
• The town he grew up in and loved would be a sinful city full of bars and night clubs
• His friends were out of work and miserable b/c George wasn’t there to loan them money to build their businesses and their dreams.
George had undervalued his importance in the world and the impact he had on the lives of others.
I think many of us do the same thing today during our own pity parties. No doubt, this life can be difficult. Sicknesses, loss of jobs, loss of loved ones, etc. cause us to become bitter and blind us to the impact we have in the lives of others. Like George Bailey, we don’t see that we’ve made a difference at all in this life. It is often true that the fruits of our labor go unknown by us and aids this bitterness. However, be assured God put you on this Earth for a purpose and He has a plan for you whether you realize it or not. No one else in the entire world knows the exact circle of people as you. You have an opportunity each day to make a difference in someone’s life for the good or the bad. You may be the only example of God’s love in someone else’s life that they can see. So, no matter how tough your life may be, remember someone is depending on you , remember someone needs you, and remember God has given YOU a Wonderful Life to work for Him, make him proud!
Galatians 6:9 “ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
God Bless!
• His beloved brother Harry would have drowned
• A pharmacist’s career would have been ruined b/c he gave the wrong medicine
• The town he grew up in and loved would be a sinful city full of bars and night clubs
• His friends were out of work and miserable b/c George wasn’t there to loan them money to build their businesses and their dreams.
George had undervalued his importance in the world and the impact he had on the lives of others.
I think many of us do the same thing today during our own pity parties. No doubt, this life can be difficult. Sicknesses, loss of jobs, loss of loved ones, etc. cause us to become bitter and blind us to the impact we have in the lives of others. Like George Bailey, we don’t see that we’ve made a difference at all in this life. It is often true that the fruits of our labor go unknown by us and aids this bitterness. However, be assured God put you on this Earth for a purpose and He has a plan for you whether you realize it or not. No one else in the entire world knows the exact circle of people as you. You have an opportunity each day to make a difference in someone’s life for the good or the bad. You may be the only example of God’s love in someone else’s life that they can see. So, no matter how tough your life may be, remember someone is depending on you , remember someone needs you, and remember God has given YOU a Wonderful Life to work for Him, make him proud!
Galatians 6:9 “ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
God Bless!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Don't Know What You Have 'Til It's Gone
"Hold on to all loose articles and enjoy your ride..." Those were the last words my family and I heard as our roller coaster, appropriately named "Goliath", exited the loading station and began to creep up the bohemoth hill that we were about to descend. Our family had decided to go to Six Flags for the day and made it our goal to climb aboard every scary, fast, and white knuckle ride we could find. "Goliath" fit those adjectives and then some. As we plummeted 170 feet down the hill at 70 mph, for some reason I happened to look over at my teenage son. Teenagers sometimes try to hide their inner emotions. However, the enormous smile on my adrenaline filled son's filled face told me that he was overflowing with happiness and that we had made a memory at this park on this day that was truly priceless.
As we pulled back into the loading station and I checked to see if "Goliath" had blown my few remaining hairs off my head, I had nothing but gratitude in my heart and mind. Several years ago, as I sat in a hospital room for 7 days receiving chemotherapy, being in an amusement park and exposing my feeble immune system to so many people was only a distant thought. With basically no immune system, I had to limit my exposure to anyone and anyplace for several days. I remember thinking to myself that the old saying, "don't know what you've got, 'til it's gone," was definitely appropriate for me in that moment.
As I exited the roller coaster, I was so happy that I was able to experience this day with my family. I did not want to take this moment for granted. Because of my past health problems, I was able to appreciate that moment. But, you don't have to be a cancer survivor to appreciate the blessings in your life. All you really need to do is slow down and realize how quickly our lives pass. James 4:14 (NIV) illustrates this point perfectly, it says: "14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. " We are not promised tomorrow in this life. So, while we are here, take a moment to appreciate the things that you take for granted in YOUR life.
What if you lost a family member, your health, or even your job? How would your life be different without these blessings? Take a moment to realize what you have and appreciate your blessings because you truly don't know what you have 'til it's gone!
As we pulled back into the loading station and I checked to see if "Goliath" had blown my few remaining hairs off my head, I had nothing but gratitude in my heart and mind. Several years ago, as I sat in a hospital room for 7 days receiving chemotherapy, being in an amusement park and exposing my feeble immune system to so many people was only a distant thought. With basically no immune system, I had to limit my exposure to anyone and anyplace for several days. I remember thinking to myself that the old saying, "don't know what you've got, 'til it's gone," was definitely appropriate for me in that moment.
As I exited the roller coaster, I was so happy that I was able to experience this day with my family. I did not want to take this moment for granted. Because of my past health problems, I was able to appreciate that moment. But, you don't have to be a cancer survivor to appreciate the blessings in your life. All you really need to do is slow down and realize how quickly our lives pass. James 4:14 (NIV) illustrates this point perfectly, it says: "14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. " We are not promised tomorrow in this life. So, while we are here, take a moment to appreciate the things that you take for granted in YOUR life.
What if you lost a family member, your health, or even your job? How would your life be different without these blessings? Take a moment to realize what you have and appreciate your blessings because you truly don't know what you have 'til it's gone!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Are You A Box Or A Bottle?
If you are like most of us, Christmas is just a distant memory as we sit here in February. A distant memory except that I bet you still have box or two sitting in your garage that needs to go to the trash. My family had a couple boxes we needed to part ways with and since we are blessed to live in the country, I decided to take advantage of country living and burn the boxes. Don't worry, it had just rained and I didn't burn the house down or start a forest fire. But, for some reason, guys just like to burn things, and I am no exception.
A fire draws a stare doesn't it? You just can't help but look at it as it consumes the objects in its path. The cardboard boxes I had withered as the fire engulfed them and what was once a sturdy container turned into a whispy thin layer of ash. There was nothing left. As I stared at the pile of ash and dying flames, I remembered that not everything burns like a cardboard box. A glass bottle that finds its way into a fire is not consumed. When the fire goes out, the glass bottle may be charred and black on the outside, but it keeps its shape. It stands up to the fire and comes out with the same character that it had before it entered the fire. As I thought about that, it hit me... the reason the box and bottle came out of the fire differently was because of the makeup of each. The bottle was made out of material that doesn't burn, while the box was made up of material that burns like a candle.
We are much the same. Have you ever noticed that some folks can endure a cancer diagnosis, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, etc. better than others. Don't get me wrong, they hurt, they are charred and they are affected, but they don't wither away, they don't completely lose their shape. They lean on God and keep their faith and know that His ways are perfect. They know we will endure pain here on Earth, but we are on a journey to a much greater place and that our time on Earth is but a short overnight stay. So, some folks tend to focus on the greater purpose and it helps them through the hard times. I like to call the folks that have this type of enduring faith, the "bottles". They endure fire and come out the same or better because of what they are made of. They are made of faith in God and belief that God's plan is best and worthy to endure.
So, which are you today? Are you a box person or a bottle person? If you have the capacity to read this devotional, then you have the capacity to be a bottle person. Make that choice today.
"Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusal were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.
-- 1 Peter 4:12-13
A fire draws a stare doesn't it? You just can't help but look at it as it consumes the objects in its path. The cardboard boxes I had withered as the fire engulfed them and what was once a sturdy container turned into a whispy thin layer of ash. There was nothing left. As I stared at the pile of ash and dying flames, I remembered that not everything burns like a cardboard box. A glass bottle that finds its way into a fire is not consumed. When the fire goes out, the glass bottle may be charred and black on the outside, but it keeps its shape. It stands up to the fire and comes out with the same character that it had before it entered the fire. As I thought about that, it hit me... the reason the box and bottle came out of the fire differently was because of the makeup of each. The bottle was made out of material that doesn't burn, while the box was made up of material that burns like a candle.
We are much the same. Have you ever noticed that some folks can endure a cancer diagnosis, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, etc. better than others. Don't get me wrong, they hurt, they are charred and they are affected, but they don't wither away, they don't completely lose their shape. They lean on God and keep their faith and know that His ways are perfect. They know we will endure pain here on Earth, but we are on a journey to a much greater place and that our time on Earth is but a short overnight stay. So, some folks tend to focus on the greater purpose and it helps them through the hard times. I like to call the folks that have this type of enduring faith, the "bottles". They endure fire and come out the same or better because of what they are made of. They are made of faith in God and belief that God's plan is best and worthy to endure.
So, which are you today? Are you a box person or a bottle person? If you have the capacity to read this devotional, then you have the capacity to be a bottle person. Make that choice today.
"Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusal were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.
-- 1 Peter 4:12-13
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