My TV 24 Interview

I interviewed on the "East Alabama Today" program on WEAC TV 24 in Gadsden, Alabama on October 9, 2013.  This interview can be accessed on You Tube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ87f7zss9g&list=PLKWqwDAKBf2H3CRx7zQOaDXKFohuLTc2v&index=1

The Bigger Picture

Mark chapter 2 gives an incredible incident of healing of a paralytic.  Mark 2:1-11 reads:

"When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof  above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, 'My son, your sins are forgiven.' But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?' Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, 'Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—He said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.'"

I am amazed of the ingenuity and the compassion of the men who brought the paralytic to the Jesus.  Not perceiving the large crowd as a discouragement, they composed a scheme to place the paralytic within healing distance of the Savior, going so far as to tear through the roof.  Although the Bible doesn't mention how long it took to dig through the ceiling,  I imagine the scores of onlookers watched with amazement as the drama unfolded.

However, when the paralytic was being lowered down, what were the first words out of Jesus' mouth?  Jesus proclaims in verse 5, "My son, your sins are forgiven."  He didn't say "You're healed" or "Rise up and walk" (at least, not at the first).  Jesus demonstrated that the most important need in one's life is to be forgiven of his sins.  Being healed of an illness is nice, yet it is not the most urgent problem in a person's life.  Sicknesses come and go.  Yet, ultimately the sin issue must be addressed.

Unfortunately, the paralytic died years later, although the Bible doesn't say when.  However, having his sins forgiven, he experienced eternal healing.  Walking on the streets of Capernaum, I'm sure, was a great joy after his lameness was removed.  Even more so, having been delivered from his sins, he is now walking on the streets of glory.

Support Can Be Beautiful

I have been blessed with several radio and TV interviews recently to talk about my cancer survival and book. One day I dropped by a local TV station in Birmingham to leave a book for one of the hosts on the station.  As I stopped by the station, I couldn't help but notice the massive TV tower outside of the building.  I later discovered that this tower is 978 feet high, quite an impressive structure.  To keep it from toppling over it is secured by multiple cables, some extending for several hundred yards.  One of the cables even stretches across the main road in that area (where other TV stations are located).  You could say that the massive structure is kept in place by ample support.

Isn't that similar to our journey in life?  Most of us (including myself) would like to accomplish great things.  However, we cannot get there alone.  There is an old saying that you "have to pick yourself up by your own bootstraps."  Obviously this is impossible.  You can't raise yourself off of the floor...you need help.

So, as I travel onward, I'm forever indebted to the many support structures in my life as I try to soar higher and higher.  The family members, the co-workers, and especially my church family have been the cables to try to keep me from falling as I venture upward.  I guess you could say these people keep me grounded, to prevent me from toppling over.

Hence, it is imperative to obtain a great support system.  Once a support team is assembled, who knows how high a person can soar? 

Come Before Winter

I noticed something had changed in the atmosphere as I was leaving my house for work the other day.  Maybe it was just my imagination, but the sun appeared to be at a slightly different angle on my driveway.  Of course, I know the sun doesn't move but the days are getting a little shorter.  The leaves are starting to fall.  Autumn is quickly approaching, officially arriving in just a few days.  Long range weather forecasts are showing a gradual cooling of temperatures.  It's just a regular change in seasons, one may argue, so what's the big deal? As a matter of fact, some people even relish the time when there will be a "nip in the air".  However, for me, there is a sense of sadness. 

 

Think of everything that changes when fall and then later winter arrives.  For example, the days of short pants, short sleeve shirts and exercising in light clothing are put on hold.  Venturing outside may require a light jacket, then maybe later a heavy overcoat to deal with northerly winds and falling temperatures.  Thermostats will be adjusted in the home.  Electric blankets (one of my favorite comforts) will be summoned into use.  Of course, there is the limited sunlight with the shortened days, forcing commuters to drive home from work in utter darkness.  It is rather depressing. 

Reminds me of the cynical prediction about the weather by Bill Murray in the movie, "Groundhog Day" about winter.  He said, "I've got a prediction for you.  It's gonna be cold, it's gonna be gray, and it's gonna last you the rest of your life."   Not very encouraging.

Paul, in II Timothy chapter 4 (maybe his final writings before his death) told Timothy to "make every effort to come before winter" (verse 21).  Maybe Paul was wanting his cloak he had left at Troas (verse 13) to provide needed warmth as the weather was soon to change.  Perhaps Paul longed to see his beloved disciple before he died or just needed encouragement in his present situation.  Whatever the case, he urged Timothy to come before winter.

The Bible says, "In the day of prosperity be happy" (Ecclesiastes 7:14).  Great advice.  When life is going well, when the sun is shining, when health is good, when all of the bills are paid, when you are surrounded by friends, be content.  Unfortunately, as we all know too well, winter is coming,  a time when we'll long to see an old friend or have the warmth of a garment to protect us from the elements.

You can read about the winter I endured in my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer".  Gratefully God brought me through this time and the snow is now melting.  My book  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

 

  

Just Say The Word

I was reading Matthew Chapter 8 the other night and noticed the wide variety of healings accomplished by the Savior.  I guess you could categorize the sicknesses in this fashion:

1.  Casual sickness. In verses 14-15, we discover that Peter's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever.  Maybe she had a cold or a virus  of some sort.  Apparently she didn't feel well and went to bed to recover.  It is hard to say, but I'm thinking that maybe this was just a minor illness.  After Jesus healed her, she got up and waited on Him.  Many times in life we get hit by minor illnesses which are more or less a nuisance.  We're not deathly sick, mind you.  It's just that an illness interferes with our work or family plans.  Maybe it goes away in a week or two, but it is still very annoying. 

2.  Chronic sickness.  Verses 2-4 describe a man with leprosy, a chronic debilitating condition. Left untreated, leprosy caused permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.  There was also considerable social stigma associated with leprosy as lepers were considered unclean and had to dwell apart from the general population.  It was a horrible way of life.

3.  Calamitous sickness.  Verses 5-13 list the centurion's servant, lying in bed, paralyzed and experiencing tremendous pain.  Not really sure what was going on with this person, but it appeared to be a painful illness.  He was immobile and suffering.  It was a desperate situation.

4.  Chaotic sickness.  Verses 28-34 tell of two men who were demon-possessed.  They lived in the  tombs and were so violent that no one could pass by the road.  The local residents went to great lengths to avoid any interaction, fearing their own personal safety.  Sometimes illnesses today are so complex that families and neighbors are perplexed to understand how to intervene.  There appears to be no simple cure.  

However, no matter the depth of sickness, from Peter's mother-in-law to the demoniacs, Jesus healed them all.  The centurion, knowing Jesus' power, was well aware of the secret for removing all of these ailments.  In verse 8, he proclaimed to Jesus, "...just say the word and my servant will be healed."  That's all it takes.  Just a word from Jesus.  Just say it and everything will be made well.   

Furthermore, in today's world, we may also experience the different types of illness.  Being treated by healthcare professionals (of which I am one) can help, but the ultimate cure comes from the lips of the Savior.  We must entreat His favor with the attitude, "...speak, for Thy servant is listening". (I Samuel 3:10).  Once He speaks the true healing begins, whether instantaneous or in time.  

Beware The Sabeans

I've recently read a book about Job while doing research for my second book.  If you aren't familiar with Job, let me refresh your memory of his demise which occurs in the first chapters of the book of Job.  Within moments he loses his livestock, servants and children.  Later in chapter two, his health begins to deteriorate.

Nevertheless, the first action which occurred in this process is mentioned in Job chapter 1.  "...The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them.  They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword..." (Job 1:14-15).  You could say the first domino to fall came about at the hand of a mysterious people called the Sabeans.   Who were the Sabeans?  Apparently they were some terrorizing robbers who were descendants of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-3).  After they attacked Job's servants and livestock, they are hardly mentioned any further in the Bible, except a brief reference in Job 6:19.  Hence, the Sabeans came and left after inflicting their harm and then seemed to disappear off the face of the planet.  Isn't that how life is sometime?  An evil person or an evil circumstance appears for a brief moment, does its damage, then vacates.  I cannot forget the ways cancer attacked me in 2004 and 2006.  After major surgery and chemotherapy, I am now more or less relatively healthy, although cancer forever damaged my body.  You could say the Sabeans came and went, still leaving me to bear with the consequences.

On the other hand, sometimes good people or good circumstances appear for a short time, leaving a lasting joyous effect.  I know that when I went through chemotherapy, a lady provided T-shirts for the staff to give to patients which stated "God heals cancer" and listed "I shall not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord" (Psalms 118:17) written on the back.  I never met the lady, don't know what kind of cancer she had, and was certainly unfamiliar with Psalms 118:17, although I had read my Bible numerous times.  Yet, that verse ultimately became a life verse for me.  As a matter of fact, I now wear a bracelet on my wrist at all times which lists this verse.  How did this all happen?  Basically, because a godly lady appeared on the scene for a season, ministered to me, then vanished.  Yet, I am so grateful for her ministry.

Thankfully, even though Sabeans attack us at times, there are checks and balances in God's plan in which godly men and women minister to us, albeit just for a brief time to repair the damage of terrorizing robbers.

You can read more about the vicious attacks I endured while battling cancer but yet the victories I achieved by reading 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

Where Is Thy Sting?

I recently cut my father's grass while he was recovering from an injury.  I had trouble getting his lawn mowers started so I gratefully found a neighbor who was willing to loan me her lawn mower for the project.   Due to my work schedule and the increasing growth of the grass, I felt an urgency to cut the grass on that particular day.  So, with a self-propelled lawn mower in hand, I commenced to cutting.

The project began rather smoothly.  The lawn mower was cutting at a good clip.  I felt a sense of pride, seeing the grass getting mowed down at a good pace.

Then it happened.  I felt a sharp stinging sensation in my calf.  As I looked down, I could see the culprit...yellow jackets.  I had cut over a yellow jacket nest and they were swarming in the vicinity.  I quickly vacated the premises, but not before I had received two stings on my left calf, one on my right calf, and one sting on my right hand.  I rested for a short time, then resumed my project, carefully watching for additional yellow jacket nests.  Thankfully, my father-in-law came over and helped me cut the rest of the grass.  The yard was mowed but I left the project wounded from those pesky yellow jackets.

When I went to bed that night, the stings were very painful, just a constant ache.  I wondered if I would even be able to sleep due to the pain.  This concerned me because I needed to rest to be able to work the following day.  Finally, I took some Tylenol and got some rest. The stings itched for several days and I coated the areas with antihistamine gel.  Finally, after about 2-3 days, the stings caused no discomfort whatsoever.   

Nevertheless, the stings reminded me of 1 Corinthians 15.  As a matter of fact, death is described as having a sting.  It bites with a vengeance, sometimes gradually as seen with progressive illness, but sometimes rather quickly as loved ones are removed from this earth in a moment. However, the pain of death is overcome by the eternal victory of those who belong to Christ.  Our lives on this earth, just as the fleeting stings and lives of yellow jackets, are only temporary.  Death ultimately leads believers into the eternal glory of heaven.  Thus, it is no wonder the scripture taunts death, saying, "..O, death, where is thy sting?" (I Corinthians 15:55).  In other words, death, is that the best you can do?

The yellow jackets may have felt they had gotten the best of me.  Yet, in the big picture, as a believer in Christ, I truly am the victor.

Hence, "...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57).