Scott health update Feb 2014

Hey chemo, ya you ya big putz.
I am not sure how to say good bye to you. Part of me wants to say good riddens, take a hike, never come back, but then I am reminded that God creates all things or at the very least allows all things to be created.

I am grateful that he used you to work in my body, to keep this cancer at bay, but I am not so sure that I will miss our frequent confrontations over the past 2 plus years. While I am grateful for the result I will not miss wrestling with you (the big bear that is chemo). I gratefully say goodbye.

My saviour,
I thank you for your provision; that my kids have not had to see me really physically sick (something we prayed about if it be your will), for the friends and family that you have surrounded me with, for the lessons you have exposed me to during this process, for your encouraging word, your spirit, your love and patience as I have stumbled, sometimes badly....that you indeed are all I need if I would only be more faithful to remember that. Lord, I love you.

My wife and kids,
Thanks so much for your love and patience over the past 2 plus years. You have stood by me as my body and spirit endured the ups and downs of the chemo and cancer process.

My friends and family,
Thanks for your timely words of encouragement and prayers along the way. Thanks too for your love and patience.

Where do we go from here
I will continue to be monitored closely by the Grand River Hospital Cancer Clinic, at first every 3 months as I have been for the past few years and then in longer intervals if all goes well. I would appreciate your prayers for an extended remission if that fits within God's will and purpose to fullfill his goals.

Some favourite songs of mine, click on links;
Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up
Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill How Great thou Art
Kari Jobe - The more I seek you

Some favourite verses of mine;
New International Version (NIV), http://www.biblegateway.com

Philippians 4:8

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

John 14:14
¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Philippians 4:13
¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Hebrews 12:1-2
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, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God1 Corinthians 9:24

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

 

 

 

 

 

God's auto pilot is safe

I was reading a book lately that made a great point of how we humans tend to grip the steering wheel a little tighter when we are not sure of what lay ahead, when we see an obstacle in the road, a narrowing road or a tight curve.




When we come across challenging circumstances in life, God asks us to take our hands right off the steering wheel and to trust him. Can you imagine doing this while driving? Here is the thing though, the auto pilot we have in God is safe and secure and completely trust worthy. He not only asks us to take our hands off the wheel, he wants us to take our eyes off of the road and to look at him too. Wow, how can this be, its so unnatural, it goes against all of our human tendencies.


When we do this though, we experience the peace that passes all understanding. We experience God in all of his glorious wonder and awesomeness.




When is the last time I took my hands off the wheel, my eyes off the road and depended on him (figuratively speaking).




I have hit a few curves in the road, each time it seems that the same lessons present themselves, which are to trust him more and to grow in my faith. Each time I learn more of his goodness.




Walk With Me (feat. Kim Walker-Smith)


Casting Crowns - I Surrender All (All To Jesus)

Proverbs 3:5-6

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.^[a]

white as snow (Isaiah 1:18 )

When we think of sin, we think of a something dark, unclean or ugly. Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version (NIV) says;

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.

White as snow....the beautiful and abundant snow we have had this winter is so clean looking until the debris, salt, etc. gets at it, which in a way is like our hearts. They can be washed as white and clean as snow and then when we let sin come in, it can give that dirty snow look.

Its so important in our earthly relationships to keep short accountants, so it is with our relationship with God.

Who's got your heart (Deuteronomy 17:14-20)

As a parent how often have you given your children instruction and guidance knowing full well the pitfalls that may occur if they don't adhere.


In the following passage God gives more specific direction to the Israelites who are about to enter the promised land. Like a parent he knows his children's tendencies, that they will want a leader, a King like other countries, that women and riches will consume their focus. Like we do as parents he see's the pitfalls and tries to give them specific instruction that if they adhere to, they will prosper.


Deuteronomy 17:14-20

New International Version (NIV)

The King

¹⁴ When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” ¹⁵ be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. ¹⁶ The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” ¹⁷ He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
¹⁸ When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. ¹⁹ It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees ²⁰ and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.


Later books will reveal that Kings such as King Solomon did not head this warning. He had many, many wives and a huge amount of wealth and they took over his heart.


What am I allowing to take my focus away from God, from what is right?