Do you need a different outlook on life?

For me taking a more holistic approach to my overall well being has been a positive experience. Its been gruelling, but positive. It takes a lot of time and energy to work out and see a therapist as opposed to pop a pill, but I can see the results as I learn to deal with my life in a more appropriate way. For me that has been dealing with depression and anxiety and the mental side affects of chemo.

Perhaps you are out there and are saying, "I am on the pill", and it helps you deal with depression, anxiety etc, I am not discouraging you. I am simply encouraged so far by how phyco therapy and exercise has helped me.

I needed and continue to need to work on my mind set to view things in a different light, something I personally did not learn how to do while on anti depressants. For me they were more of a band aid. I may have to eat my words, but at this point I would encourage those who have and are struggling with antidepressants to give exercise and phyco therapy a try.

"Through My Father's Eyes" - Christian Singer, Holly Starr

Westlife - You Raise Me Up

Bridge Over Troubled Water - Josh Groban & Brian McKnight

Sarah McLachlan & Josh Groban Sing "The Arms of An Angel"

Everyone has a monkey on there back, some have an Ape

Everyone has a monkey on there back, some have an Ape!!

Maybe some have something in between, maybe some feel like they are carrying an elephant on their back.

We all have a burden to carry. Mine has been mostly health related and its emotional impact on me. Perhaps like me you too have struggled through illness, feeling the odd person out because of your situation, feeling emotionally exhausted from life's bruises, struggled with depression, anxiety, anger as a result........... Maybe your burden is guilt or forgiveness like the below testimony, which also has been a big struggle for me.

How are you managing with the monkey or Ape on your back? Is someone coming along side you to help carry your burden?

Below is a powerful testimony about a women who has over come much, about how she learned to forgive, she makes some very good points.

Jessica Finlayson, "The Power of Forgiveness"

RIP

RIP (rest in peace)
What does that mean any way? It seems to have become a common phrase used amongst all different beliefs including Christians. How do we know that the person who passed will rest in peace? Gods word says he judges a persons heart, but it also says we will know a persons faith by their works, so what does it mean to be a Christian and according to the bible just who will RIP. The bible clearly states that a persons name must be written in the book of life. Is yours? Do you have assurance of salvation. Will you RIP? According to the bible not everyone will....but's its your free choice.

Matthew 7:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 16:27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Daniel 12:1

New International Version (NIV)

The End Times

12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Revelation 13:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

Revelation 20:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Galatians 5:24

New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

 

 

 

Chemo vs PMS (Scott)

Today when chatting to my ever loving wife and explaining to her that I just feel more emotional after chemo, in this case even 2 weeks after, she commented that it sounds like PMS.

Now I have never experienced that so I will take my wife's word for it, but its not fun when you just don't quite feel yourself.

I am a competitive type and maybe a bit of a perfectionist, so it really bothers me when I am not myself during these times. Its hard to over hear my son saying to his friends, be careful around my dad, he just doesn't feel right or having my kids ask, so how do you feel dad, how many more weeks till you feel better. Obviously they are aware of my foul moods at "my time of the month". They know they have to tip toe around me. It bothers me when I don't have as good of control on my emotions, when I am more reactive and get angrier easier or get caught up in gossip easier and so on.........

The challenge for me is to improve a little bit each time so that I can reflect and say hey, I did a bit better this time after chemo than last time. Its called baby steps.

I have learned that I need to withdraw and be a bit more scarce after chemo, something that is hard to do when you have situations pop up that you have no or limited control over. There are times when I wish I could just hibernate for the chemo month and than come out smiling and happy, but perhaps that wouldn't expose me to the learning experiences......so we keep shuffling along with the goal to be a bit better each day, to learn from yesterday, but not to dwell on it, and to grasp the opportunities of tomorrow and make the most of them.

Signed, "a work in progress".

Mayo clinic chemo brain
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment
American cancer society, chemotherapyeffects/chemo-brain

We are so human, so less than perfect...

As I get older I am struck frequently with the fact that I fall so far short.  In my humanness I don't follow through on my promises, I sometimes get angry, my thoughts are not always God honouring and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes it seems that the harder I try the more I fail.

I can get caught up in the Christian do's and dont's and miss out on the experience of resting in God and letting him work through me, something that achieves far better results than me trying to point and keep my ship in the right direction and doing the right things on my own strength.

Don't get me wrong I believe we are charged to strive towards the prize, to run the race........

Hebrews 12:1

New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

.........but I cannot do it on my own.

Philippians 4:13

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

the cross roads.......I know better Lord.

Perhaps its just me, but do you ever get to a crossroads, a place where it seems like you are being asked to do something or go somewhere that just doesn't seem to fit with what you want for your life......you just can't make sense of it.

Mr Jonah in the bible had such an experience. God asked him to go to Nineveh and he just could not make sense of it. He could not see God's plans, purposes and provision......he could only see what made sense to him.....to go in another direction....to turn left instead of right at the crossroads.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Whats the Nineveh in your life? Have you chosen your own way only to find that God keeps pursuing you.....maybe you got caught by a whale and spit on shore and the cross roads have been represented to you so that you have another chance at making the right choice!!

 

You are not alone!!

 

An angel in your path....

It always amazes me how God places people in our path at the right time. I have experienced this many times when I have felt down and out.

Recently I had a bit of a sluggish day with me only being days removed from my last chemo treatment. I went for a bike ride to kind of clear the noggin and on the way back got chatting to a neighbourhood lady.

God placed this person in my path, she is an exceptionally nice person who has experienced sickness and loss up close. She was very understanding and encouraging.

Our brief chat gave me a jump in my step.

It challenged me, how often do I take the opportunity to be there for somebody or am I too self indulged.

when we dont get what we think we want, how do we behave

As children when we don't get what we want we stomp and pout. I did it, you likely did it and I know my children do it. If they don't get the IPAD time they think is critical to their little lives happiness, if they don't get friend time or TV time in abundance, they think life just isn't fair.

As parents we are responsible for what's best for them and sometimes we give them that sermon or at least I am guilty "you know kids God charged Mommy and daddy to oversee you and try to guide you in what's best for you". Usually this does not extinguish their desire for what they want, in fact it often has the opposite impact.

So while we tell our children that we know what's best for them and we expect them to trust us completely, is that the example we give them. What I mean is, I/we have a father in heaven that knows what's best for me/us. How often am I like my children stomping about in anger and frustration because I didn't get my way or do I always happily conclude that God knows what's best, accept that and go merrily hop skipping along. NOT!!

Is my trust in God as my father such that I realize, accept and have faith in the fact that he does know best and that he does always have my interests in mind. perhaps if it would be, I would be providing a better example to my children. I would be showing them what it is to trust my father in the way that I expect them to trust me and know that I only have their best interests in mind.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

 

Am I leading by example, are you?

I Surrender All (Greg Howlett)

Building 429 - My Jesus, I Love Thee (Your Holy Name)

Casting Crowns - I Surrender All (All To Jesus)




 

 

 

God sure did create a beatiful world

God sure did create a beautiful world, but how many times do I take if for granted?

Recently my wife and I celebrated her birthday in the Geneva New York area. What a beautiful area it is with gorgeous powerful water falls, beautiful hiking, wineries all over the place and lovely architecture.

We moaned over a long winter, but God created that too.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Dont judge a book by its cover (Britian's got talent)

Ya gotta have a listen to the below links, its a great example of how we so often judge by outward appearance. Check out the audiences initial response when they saw the competitors and then when the audience and judges heard their beautiful voices.

1 Samuel 16:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Charllote And Jonathan Best Audition Ever Britain Got Talents 2012

Jonathan & Charlotte Final [HD] Britains got talent 2012

Jonathan and Charlotte Exclusive Documentary

Meet me in my broken place....hold me now

I am so thankful that I have a God that meets me where I am at, when my faith is weak, when my legs wobble under life's weight, he is steadfastly there. Sometimes it appears as though he is missing in action, sometimes it feels as though my cries fall on deaf ears, but he is always there. Usually it seems he is waiting for me to grasp the latest concept or lesson that he wants me to learn, to humbly follow him in complete surrender. I love my Lord and at the end of the day, I know that He alone can be counted on.

Though my life's lessons have been hard at times for me and usually because of my stubborn reluctance to say "Yes Lord", I can reflect and say he has always been there.

Meet me in my broken place....hold me now.........(have a listen to below song)
Ashes Remain - Without You (w/ Lyrics)

I am strong when I am on his shoulders.........(have a listen to below song)
Westlife - You Raise Me Up (With Lyrics)

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art

Is chemo brain for real? (Scott)

As I am in the fog stage of my chemo treatment experience, I thought I would google chemo brain (as it is commonly referred to) and see what it has to say. The below link is from the Mayo clinic and details some of what I experience and find difficult.

Chemo brain

For those who have experienced difficulty after chemo with concentrating, memory, etc., it would be great to hear from you and learn what has worked for you to cope with this.

Do I have a demanding spirit or one of humility?

Do I have a demanding spirit or one of repentance and humility? Do I feel that God owes me and that I am entitled to the very best or am I understanding that his best and his plan for me may be different than what I want. Do I feel entitled like a person in line to take over their parents company.

Do I have a demanding spirit or one of repentance is a quote I came across in a book entitled Inside Out by Dr. Larry Crabb. The book refers to Job's attitude, that he was going to question God and get his answers. Check out the following 2 passages and note how Jobs position changed.

Job 23:1-7 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

The Message (MSG)

Job’s Defense

I’m Completely in the Dark

23 ^1-7 Job replied:

“I’m not letting up—I’m standing my ground.
My complaint is legitimate.
God has no right to treat me like this—
it isn’t fair!
If I knew where on earth to find him,
I’d go straight to him.
I’d lay my case before him face-to-face,
give him all my arguments firsthand.
I’d find out exactly what he’s thinking,
discover what’s going on in his head.
Do you think he’d dismiss me or bully me?
No, he’d take me seriously.
He’d see a straight-living man standing before him;
my Judge would acquit me for good of all charges.

 

In the end Job had a more repentant frame of mind realising that God is in control.

 

Job 42:1-6 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

The Message (MSG)

Job Worships God

I Babbled On About Things Far Beyond Me

42 ^1-6 Job answered God:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,
ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,
made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.
Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!
I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

 

I confess, this has been me at times......how about you?

June/13 health update (Scott)

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it..........

Over the last few weeks as I thought about what I might write, that song came to mind, but I wondered, would I be able to do that regardless of the news I was told.

On May 21 I had tests to review my abdominal area organs and my lungs, the later which have a nodule that the doctors have been monitoring. This is the kind of monitoring I will need at least annually. Both showed no signs for concern. Phew, happy dance...I can rejoice in the day the Lord has made, but would I have been able to do that with less positive news or can I do that knowing that future less positive days are days that he made too.

Its a reminder to me that I should be rejoicing always, even when its hard and sometimes it is very hard, sometimes rejoicing in the day the Lord has made is furthest from my mind.

How are you doing with that?

Psalm 118:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com)

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Is church a safe place?

Is church a safe place?

I have been reading lots over the last year on dealing with difficult times. Currently I am reading a great book called inside out by Larry Crabb. All these books and the bible point to the fact that people hurt. King David hurt, Jesus hurt and the list goes on and on. So just why is it then that society and church in particular seem to have little place for hurting people. Why do we feel the pressure to fake it, to make like all is well.

As I get older, real authentic people inspire me. People who are shallow and make like all is well when it just can't be, people that fake it, I feel sorry for them. They seem to prefer to hide or mask their feelings when their hurt is all too obvious.

What is sad is that the safe place, "the church" is often not that, the place where people should be able to be real is the place where the biggest mask is often put on. The place where people should be able to go to be loved is often cold and unwelcoming.

How did we get here, it certainly wasn't the example Jesus set for us. He was real, he cried out to his own father, he showed his emotions. He also set the greatest of all examples of how to love, loving freely.

Whens the last time I loved freely, when the last time I truly sacrificed my time to love someone, to support someone in need.

Am I doing my part to make church a safe place?