Browsing Tag

encouragement

Journey

Waiting Can Be Hard

Posted on July 29, 2015

How many of you struggle with waiting? I know I do. Here are some fascinating facts about how we spend the days of our lives.

99,117 hours: spent at work.
136 days: women spend getting ready
23,214 hours: spent washing clothes.
115 days: spent laughing.
653 hours: spent waiting for trains
6 months: how long we end up waiting in line.
20 weeks: spent being on hold.
11 years: spent sitting in front of the television.

Crazy! Now don’t ask me how someone came up with these numbers, the reality is everyone has to wait. Right now I am still waiting on getting my MRI results back. It has been somewhat difficult. You allow yourself to think negatively and then you snap out of it only to find yourself thinking the worse again. Ultimately, I know it will all work out, but waiting can be hard. Today I got my cancer clinic appointment, but again, I have to wait. The appointment is set for August 23. Next week I have my CT scan and hopefully that will be it until I see my doctor. One of the issues we face when it comes to waiting is our attitudes. When I am in the line up at the grocery store or at the traffic light my attitude isn’t always the greatest. When I am waiting for answers I can have the propensity of having an impatient attitude. I want all that to change. I want to become more level headed when it comes to things. I want to have a big picture attitude. Knowing that no matter how long I have to wait, everything is going to work out. As I write this post a Bible passage comes to mind…

2 Corinthians 4:17(NLT)

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!


Journey

Don’t Let It Define You

Posted on July 29, 2015

Labels lie! Yet for many of us we believe them. There is power in our words. Some of us wear the labels like a badge of honor and others find their identity in them. It’s not healthy or right. Some labels we put on ourselves and others are given to us by others. I will not allow this cancer to define me. Everyday I will make a conscience decision to remind myself who I am and who I belong to. I am sure some days will be good and others will be difficult, but I know there is a bigger picture. I don’t know what that bigger picture looks like but at least I know the One who does. I trust Him because He is good.

Journey

MRI

Posted on July 27, 2015

I had my MRI today. It was the first one of my life. I was a little nervous at first as I didn’t know what to expect. The big round tube they stick you in isn’t that big and during the MRI it is quite loud. It took about 30 minutes and now I have to wait for the results. A MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging )is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. My doctor ordered one to see if the tumor in my colon has spread or if it is isolated. I feel God’s peace and favor through this journey especially because I am told my MRI happened quite quickly.

My family and I feel very supported at this time. Many people have called, texted, or have sent encouraging messages which mean a lot to us. We continue to pray for healing and that whatever happens during this journey, God would be glorified. I was thinking yesterday about the past few months I had been preaching at church about how those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ have been bought. The life you now lead is not your own, you have been purchased by Christ. It encouraged me to think about that and remind myself and God that I have been bought. He owns me. It makes me feel a lot better knowing He is in control rather than me. No matter what happens, He is still good!

For those who are wondering, the cancer I have been diagnosed with is colon cancer. FYI. Thanks for all your comments, prayers and words of encouragement. It means a lot!

Sean




Bible Blog Life

God Says: Don’t Be Afraid

Posted on July 26, 2015

The other day I shared 13 Things God Told Joshua. I wanted to expand on one of the thoughts as I know it is something we all struggle with at times. Fear. In verse 9 of chapter 1, God tells Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

It was easy for God to say this, but think about Joshua for a second. Are you kidding me? Don’t be afraid? What are you talking about God? I am terrified! At least that would be my response. Not only was Joshua now the leader of the God’s people, but he was now responsible for taking this group of people into a land they don’t know much about. Yes, Joshua was one who went into the land with the other spies and brought back a positive report, but let’s be honest, Joshua’s role now was a lot different then when he was Moses’s assistant.

Fear affects all of us. It manifests itself in various ways and it usually involves torment. According to phobialist.com, there are 530 known phobias. Fear is defined as: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, like to cause pain, or a threat. God knew exactly what the Israelites were about to face. As I ponder this story, I wonder what the conversation between God and Joshua was like? Was all fear eradicated as soon as God spoke? Did it disappear as soon as Joshua stepped out in faith or was there still a tinge of fear? We may never know fully, but one thing we do know is that Joshua was obedient to lead the people of God into the promised land.

Fear has a way of changing us, causing us to do things we wouldn’t normally do. It is interesting to note that fear is mentioned in the Bible 411 different times. God wants us to be free from fear. He understands us. He knows what we struggle with, the fears that keep us in bondage. He is a good God who wants nothing more for us than to be free from all our fears. One of the greatest reasons why we struggle with fear I believe is because we do not have a correct view of Him. We do not always know His proximity to us, His concern for us, nor do we fully know His power to free us from all our fears. The Bible says, “perfect love casts out all fear.” (1 John 4:18) God is love, therefore, it is He who will dispel fear in our lives. You can trust Him, just as Joshua did. Joshua took Gods word to him literally. He hid the words of his God in his heart and he led the people to the Promised land. Remember His word to you, “I will be with you wherever you go.”

Family Life

A Note To Dads

Posted on February 26, 2015

Don’t give up, you are needed.

Be careful of your words – they have the power to build up or tear down.

Tell your kids everyday you love them.

Show your kids everyday you love them.

Continue to grow.

Continue to strive to become better.

You can do it!

Be yourself.

Be true to yourself.

Don’t beat yourself up.

You can do this.

Remember, you are not alone.