Bearing More Fruit

Many years ago I lived in the house of my great aunt and great uncle after they passed away.  It was an old house but rather unique.  It was located on a large amount of property, meaning there was a big yard which required much effort to keep the grass cut on a regular basis.  The property also contained several fig trees which were somewhat unproductive.  I admired the large leaves of these biblical trees but didn't see much fruit of which to speak.   

However, after I moved out, my parents moved into this house, a nice move for them but even better fortune for the fig trees.  My father, in his wisdom, recognized the problem with the fig trees in that they contained multiple dead limbs.  Therefore he commenced to pruning the trees or "cutting them way down" as he put it.  That was several years ago.

Now you wouldn't believe the number of figs that we harvest every year.  The trees have grown to gigantic proportions with extensive foliage.  Hence, as the summer progresses, the challenge is to pick the figs as soon as possible (before the birds get them) and distribute them to whoever desires their sweetness.  Needless to say, my father's pruning has been very productive.   

Jesus says that the Heavenly Father is also in the pruning business.  John 15:2 says, "...every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."  What does the pruning entail?  I would imagine it could be any type of hardship or difficulty.  For me, I underwent a major pruning when I went through cancer.  Yet it could be financial difficulties, relationship issues, work problems, whatever.  Some very painful processes.  On the other hand, the abundant harvest (just like my father's fig trees in due time) proclaim the value of the pruning. Consequently, just like my father gives away figs, the pruning in my life may provide nourishment for many others.  That is my prayer.

Playing Through Pain

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2 NASB)

I get many inspirations through running.  Although, jogging can be hot, tiring, and painful, it gives me a great opportunity to clear my mind and think about life decisions.  It's also a great chance to pray because it limits the number of distractions in my life.  Perhaps the only distractions during the jog would be the occasional dog who may bark at me in the neighborhood or a car travelling on my street.  Yet I focus on finishing the run.

Last week I went running and began to develop a migraine headache.  I've had them for years on occasion.  I have what would be called "classic migraines" in that I have an "aura" or warning that a headache is coming.  For me, this aura involves having blurred vision in my left visual field.  This usually occurs several minutes before the headache comes.  The first time this occurred to me years ago I thought I was having a stroke.  Now I don't panic when the blurred vision occurs but simply take some Tylenol as soon as possible.  In most instances the blurred vision goes away after a few minutes and the headache never develops.

However, during this instance while running, I was not sure what to do.  The blurred vision started shortly after my run and I had no access to Tylenol.  In addition, the run was on a straight street.  Thus the farther I ran in one direction, the farther I would have to run to get back to my car.  So, I had a couple of options.  For example, I could stop running and walk back to the car.  On the other hand, maybe I could shorten the length of my run and get back to the car as soon as possible.   That's exactly what I decided to do.  Try to run at least a minor distance and then treat the blurred vision and impending headache as soon as possible.  So, I ended up running only a little over a mile. 

Yet, to my surprise, as I got closer and closer to my car, the blurred vision began to dissipate. It was practically gone when I got to the car.  I imagine I took some Tylenol at that point but it impressed me in that I had worked through my discomfort while running.  In other words, I had done as some athletes would proclaim, I had "played through the pain".

Playing through pain, that's how we sometimes have to live our lives.  Keep going, keep moving, in spite of the discomfort.  Don't let the affliction afflict you. Sometimes life hurts and illness or circumstances try to bog us down.  Yet, when we reach the finish line in accomplishing a task (in spite of the difficulties), there is much joy.  I'm sure I would have felt good about myself if the run had not been eventful.  However, after completing the run under adverse circumstances, I felt fantastic, not only for finishing the jog but for learning something new about life as well.

To learn more about my victory over adverse circumstances, check out my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer' on Amazon and Kindle.  It can be accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1





 

    

No Escape (Trussville Tribune Article)

I had an article published in The Trussville Tribune regarding a comical experience while visiting a music store.  Check it out at:

http://www.trussvilletribune.com/?p=6811


The article doesn't really deal with cancer but hope you enjoy it.

Doing The Right Thing

I heard about a man who customarily went to church every Sunday.  His wife usually went with him.  However, one Sunday, he just didn't want to attend.  After he turned off his alarm clock, he mentioned to his wife several reasons why he didn't want to go on this particular Sunday.  For example, he was tired and needed extra sleep.  Also he mentioned some of the unfavorable conditions in the church, stating,  "The people aren't very friendly and no one ever talks to me".  In addition, the music and the preaching were uninspiring.  To make matters worse, there was also a light rain falling outside.  Finally, after he mentioned all of his reservations about attending his wife replied, "Honey, I understand why you don't want to go today.  However, you have to go...you're the pastor!"

Sometimes we have to do the right thing in spite of our circumstances.  Being an off day from work today, I went jogging in my community.  Even though I was tired from a long week of work, I commenced to running.  At first, I hated it.  I had to run up a rather large hill and sensed that this run would be a rather unenjoyable workout.  Eventually I made it to the top of the hill in spite of my physical and mental anguish.  As I continued to run, I picked up a certain rhythm and the run wasn't quite as difficult.  However, the running was still tough.  The weather was hot and humid.  My feet hurt.  I was thirsty.  Nevertheless, I ultimately completed my run (roughly three miles in distance).  Even though I dreaded the run at first, at the end, I was glad I had put forth the effort.  I felt better about myself.  I felt more healthy.  I also felt less guilty when I engorged myself at a fast food restaurant afterwards with a sandwich and tater tots.  So, my running, as Wilford Brimley used to say in the Quaker Oats commercial was "the right thing to do".

Jesus also did the right thing in spite of circumstances.  Hebrews 12:2 states how "...Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".  This wasn't easy, the Scripture attesting to how He wanted to turn back from the cross.  Luke 22:42 mentions how He prayed, "...Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done."  But Jesus persevered, was crucified and rose again.  I am so glad He ultimately did the right thing for me.  My sins are washed away by His atoning sacrifice, and I have a home in heaven prepared for me.

When I was going through chemotherapy, it was extremely painful, both physically and emotionally.  I was tired.  I was nauseated,  I was even hospitalized on several occasions.  There were times when I felt I could not endure any more agony.  But looking back, now that I'm cancer free, it was the right thing to do.

If you wish to know more about my cancer story and survival, check out my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer" on Amazon and Kindle.  It can be accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1 

Absence of Conflict (My Trussville Tribune article)

I had an article published online by The Trussville Tribune today entitled, "Absence of Conflict", based on a recent Boston trip.  You can view it online at:

http://www.trussvilletribune.com/?p=6459 

First Responders

The Moore, Oklahoma tornado on May 20th, 2013 was a horrific tragedy.  I watched in horror as the television coverage provided continuous updates of the viciousness of this storm.  As news reports unfolded during the evening, it became apparent that this was a major killer storm, having slammed into two schools, a hospital and additional structures in the area.  I grieve for the many who were affected by this cyclone.

In the aftermath of the death and destruction, many people rushed to the afflicted areas to help remove debris and look for survivors.  However as the magnitude of the devastation was being revealed, it was broadcast by local authorities that only "first responders" should come to the area, that is , those people specifically trained to deal with emergencies such as medical crews and law enforcement officers.  In other words, trained professionals would be best equipped to deal with the residual effects of the storm.  First responders were welcome whereas the general public was gently chided to keep its distance. 

First responders.  Great people to have in the community when disaster strikes.  Yet, on a larger scale, who are the "first responders" in my life?  Put another way, whom would I contact if disaster struck in my life?

First of all, I would imagine I could certainly trust in the assistance of my family and extended family to assist when an unthinkable tragedy occurs.  My father, wife, siblings, children and in-laws would be a great resource to possess in time of my greatest need.  However, their assistance may be somewhat limited due to lack of resources.  For example, if my house ever caught fire, I imagine my family would do their utmost to try to extinguish the fire and salvage my property.  Yet, ultimately only a trained firefighter could adequately do the job. Another limiting factor might be my family's location.  My brother lives in another county whereas my sister lives in another state.  My children and stepson are a considerable distance away.  So, ultimately, my family would mean well, but there would be limits to what they could do.  My house would probably have burnt to the ground by the time some of my family arrived.

The second type of first responders would be the members of my church.  This may be one of my greatest resources.  I'm honored to be a part of a body of believers with many talents and gifts.  Although I am certainly unworthy of their generosity, I would probably contact them without hesitation in my hour of need.  Whether financial difficulties, family problems, spiritual concerns, whatever, they probably would be a well equipped responder in times of crisis.  Of course, another beneficial aspect of being a member of a local church is the proximity of the members.  My fellow church members are just a phone call, e-mail, or text message away.  Some church members even live in my neighborhood.  Consequently, I would venture to mention that if a person doesn't have a local church, it would be like trying to put out a massive fire with a small garden hose.  It might would help some, but it wouldn't be anything compared to the massive equipment and skills of a professional firefighting team.

Finally, I am delighted to describe the greatest first responder of all, the Lord God Almighty.  In Isaiah 43:2, He proclaims, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you."  What a great relief to know that God is close by when horrendous disaster is upon us.

You can learn more about the unthinkable tragedy that occurred in my life and the first responders who came to my aid in my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer'.  It can be accessed at:

http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1

Character Hill

I went running on an off day over the weekend and ran about two miles on a fairly busy road close to where I live.  It's a straight road with one big disadvantage:  the farther you run, the farther you have to run back.  Hence, if you run too far, you have to run an equal distance back to the starting point, sometimes in the hot sun.  I usually park at a local gas station and from there commence my journey. 

Yet, running two miles like I did was not overly difficult but it was relatively insignificant compared to the distances I used to run.  As a matter of fact, on this road, I used to run four miles on occasion: two miles to the bridge over the Cahaba River from my starting point and two miles back.  Mind you, this type of run was always very challenging, especially on the way back to the gas station.  The reason?  There is a huge hill I would have to climb as I was coming back.  It's a tough hill to run, especially after running a couple of miles.  But, due to its impressive size, I gave the hill a name, "Character Hill", because of the challenge it presented in conquering it. To run up this hill and then make my way back to the gas station was quite a feat.  Running up this hill demonstrated that I was a serious runner, not just one out for a lazy stroll. 

Come to think of it, we all have "character hills", so to speak.  These are formidable challenges which approach us every day and come in a variety of venues.  It could be cancer or major illness as occurred in my life.  Maybe going to school.  Perhaps difficult work or family situations to endure.  Whatever the case, we have to decide whether to run up these character hills.  It may be taxing, it may be difficult, or maybe even exhausting, but somewhere along the way, we'll be rewarded for our efforts.

On your mark.  Get set.  Go!