10/16/2014

My thoughts from a sermon by Dr. Voddie Baucham (look him up on YouTube)

Why do we accept mediocrity in the church?  What I mean is that we accept mediocrity in our personal relationship with Christ.  We aren’t confident enough in our own personal relationship to help lead someone else in their walk with Christ.  Nowhere else is this acceptable.  I mean, we claim to have been a Christian, actively involved in a church for 15, 20, 25+ years and we still can’t lead someone in their walk with Christ.  Think about it this way.  Let’s say a new believer comes to you and says, “Hey, you’ve been a Christian most of your life, you’ve been a faithful member of the church for years, can you walk with me as I seek a deeper relationship with Him?”  Our response, “I ain’t no preacher.  I can’t do that.  Maybe I can call the Pastor for you, he/she will be able to help you.”  Now flip that into a secular career.  Let’s say you’ve been a brick mason for 15-20 years.  A new aspiring brick mason comes to you and asks, “Can you show me all you know about brick laying and lead me as I learn this trade.”  What would you say?  “I don’t know nothin’ about bricks…”  Absolutely not, if you’ve been laying brick for 15-20 years you are a master brick mason.  It would be unacceptable to claim you know nothing about laying bricks if you have been doing this for 15-20 years, yet it’s totally accepted in the church.  The world tells us that we are not good enough, we are not smart enough, we aren’t worthy to lead someone else in their relationship with Christ.  And here’s the kicker…we listen and believe that we aren’t good enough.  Let’s look at who Christ chose to lead others in The Way!  He chose several fishermen, a tax collector and just plain old regular folks.  Jesus didn’t call the equipped, he equipped the called. 

So, are you feeling inadequate? Get into God’s Word.  Are you feeling insecure?  Talk to God about that and ask Him to release you from that fear.  On the funny side: Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live always said, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”  More than that…God loves you and has called you to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  How will you answer His call? How will you use the time that God has given you today to encourage another child of God?  May we NEVER forget that it’s not about us, It’s All About Him!

10/7/14 Worried?

This is Gabe, Jerry's son.  For some reason, God is leading me to post this today.  

I just had a conversation with a fellow Christian Co-Worker. We were discussing ISIS & the violence that seems to be ever present in the world we live.  Right after we talked, I open up social media to see a post from a good friend.  She shared her devotion from Jesus Calling.  I believe this is not a coincidence, it is the answer. As Christians we are called to surrender to Christ and allow Him to lead. Are you worried about something?  Are you having a hard time hearing His voice? Focus on Him first and He will guide your actions.  

It's not about us, It's All About Him!

October 7

In order to hear My voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My Presence, allowing My Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you.

Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances. Trust Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty. -Jesus Calling

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:6–7
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
—Psalm 118:24
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
—1 Thessalonians 5:18

Totally Surrendered to HIM!

-Gabe

Jerry's ultimate journey

I have had several people say I need to do a final post to Jerry's blog.  On May 12 Jerry went home to be with Jesus.  That was his ultimate goal.  While he was here on earth, his goal was to show Jesus to others.  His greatest wish was that each one of you would have a personal relationship with your Lord and Savior and that you would pass that on.  Live as though you are meeting your God face to face tomorrow and love each other every day.  He loved us all and is waiting for us to meet him in Heaven.  After all, it is all about Him!  God bless you all.

Thursday 1,2014

May Day May Day! I am alive! Today is National Day of Prayer. But I want to thank all my family and friends who believe that every day is a day of prayer.  I am most blessed to have my support system at work when I am unable to fulfill all my duties. If I do all that Dr. Chang wants me to do today which includes walking and breathing treatments we can go home tomorrow. God is so good. Thanks for praying without ceasing.

Tuesday, April 22

Update: we had our chemo treatment yesterday (Monday). To my surprise, I have done extremely well this time. I did some work today. I have felt really well. Next week we will take tests and scans to decide what we will do next.
Thank you for your prayers and your support. It works. Keep 'me going.

Thursday, April 17

In my world, numbers mean things. That said, we did not get good news from my tumor marker. It went in the wrong direction - from 600 to 900. We were planning a break from chemo, but now we are not sure. We will take our Monday treatment next week, and then do some scans the next week.

We are disappointed, of course. But we are still confident in another number. That number is the number 3. We know that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. But we also know that Jesus arose from the grave on the third day. Why is that number important? As the song (and even more importantly Scripture ) says, "because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, I will live also!"

Every day is a gift from God. Every Sunday is Easter. Happy Easter!

Monday, April 14

We went to our appointment with Dr. Chang today. Diane and I respect her professional opinion, as well as her plan of care for me. That being said, we did blood tests today. Dr. CHANG will analyse the results and together we will decide what to do next. Next Monday will be chemo treatment number twelve this year. If the test numbers are stable, we will suspend any more treatments until the end of the summer. If the tests are not good, we will do scans to decide how many more treatments, if any, will be necessary.
We are excited (though admittedly a bit anxious) about the possibility of more relaxed, pain free, nausea free, energetic, months, and maybe even years, than we have had in a very long time. We are reminded that Jesus promised us abundant life. As abundantly blessed as my life is, I am looking forward to feeling as good physically as I do spiritually.
Do I trust what Jesus promised? I do for sure!

Friday, April 11

What a much better week I have experienced this week! Why? Cause God said so, that's why. You see, God led Dr. Chang to postpone any chemo until after Easter. She is a brilliant doctor who looks and listens to her patients. She realizes that these last treatments have been tough on my body. This little break has given me some positive energy.
Funny thing is, the Capital Disrict D.S. Jon the Methodist, has been doing a lot of talking about how we Christians ought to be doing more listening before we start programming. Put another way, we should listen to the needs of those to whom we are ministering before we begin ministering. This is quite a task for a pastor at times. Some folks don't know what they need. Some folks know, but they don't know how to express it. Then there are those folks who know what they need, and yet are not willing to do what it takes to help with the problem. For example; GC is offering a dynamic web based marriage enrichment workshop this weekend. A few hours tonight and a few hours tomorrow is all it requires. We made it clear that the church would provide scholarships for those who need it.

As pastor, I can personally tell you that The Family Life Center should have been "standing room only." Let me just say - it wasn't.

Do you need help in your personal life? Jesus will always be there.

Saturday, April 5

Well, at least this week has been better than last week. That's a good thing. PLUS, Dr. Chang has agreed to wait until after Easter to do more chemo, if we do any more at all.
I sure would like to feel good again. I would like to play with my granddaughters. I would like to fish a little or play a round of golf. I would like to take Diane to the beach for a couple of days and help her enjoy it by feeling well. I would like to work in my yard. I would like to run even a short distance. I would like to go out to eat with friends.
I would like to have the focus and energy to work at church 15 hours a day. I would like to visit shut-ins and sick folks. I would like to gather with my team and do vision planning for GC.

There are many verses in the Scripture that tell me that if I want the right things for the right reasons (read James) then God will hear my prayer. I'm thinking that I'm not too far off.
As Jason says "pray with me."
I can hardly wait to see what God will do.

Monday, March 31

Update on my cancer journey: last week was one of the worst in a long time,but we kind of expected that,  Dr Chang had warned us that "accumulation" of chemo in my system would likely make the side effects worse. It did. Fatigue and nausea were back, along with some other familiar unpleasantries.
It gets frustrating,even in the minor things in life. Here is an example from the "real world." My Galaxy s3 phone has never worked all that well. In the last two years since I have had it, I have carried it back and complained on several occasions, but to no avail. Well guess what? They recalled some models and mine was one of them. I applied and they promptly sent me another phone.

Listen to this, on Saturday I was feeling bad, but the rule was that I had to switch the phones over within 15 days, so we went to the phone store to do the deal. BUT, I was riding with Diane so I did not bother to carry my wallet with id. AND since Diane's name is not on the account, her id was not valid.
I'm not trying to get political here, but we had to go back home and get my id to switch a phone on, but I could have voted for the most powerful leader in the free world without any id. Hmm.

We did learn a valuable lesson from this. If you are married, the two of you are one. Both of your names should be on everything you have.

Anyway, you can call my cell now. It should work just fine.

Wednesday, March 25

Okay, so when it comes to blogging, I am a little weird. Some weeks I post several times. Some weeks I go several days without posting at all. Bottom line; the length of times between posts have little significance to my health.
Today is a great day to post. I am feeling much, much, better. I have a blessed life. And most of all, my wonderful soul mate is having a birthday today. Most of you don't remember preacher Harrell, who used to call one's spouse their "love mate." I agree. Read the description of love in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 for the definition of love. I particularly like Paul's last and deciding factor when it comes to love. Love never fails. My love my love mate, Diane.

Update: I did take chemo last Monday. We are getting very close to finishing this series. I am feeling some effects, you've heard them all, a bit stronger these days. But I think that I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I don't think it is that bright light that people see when they are near death. I think that it is the bright light of God's Sonshine!

Look to Him. It is there.

Monday, March 17

Happy St. Patrick Day. St. Patrick taught the Irish that Christ is all that they need. The luck of the Irish is good. The love of Jesus is better! This is chemo day for me. It is going to be a "love of Jesus" day for me. How about for you?

Saturday, March 15

In Shakespeare's "Macbeth" the warning was "Beware the ides of March." Today, the 15th, is that annual date. But today, there really is no reason to beware of this, or any other, day. But the famous writer did make a good point. When I am in the midst of some physical battle like back spasms or chemo side effects, it is difficult not to beware of every day. I pray. I know that God hears. I am assured that all is well through Him. Yet, when I am in the fire, it is hard to see the forest for the trees, as someone once said.

Yet today God has given me a break from the pain. My back spasms are almost non-existent today. It has been almost two weeks since chemo, so that part of my physical life is much better. It seems that I can see God's hand more clearly. So is it me, or is it Him?

Here is my good news for today. No matter how I feel, or what I can or cannot see, God is here with me. He loves me in spite of me. I just need to remember that this entire thing is not about me.
It's all about Him! And I sure am glad. Try thinking about that during this season of Lent.

Thursday, March 13

Health update:
We went to see Dr. West this morning concerning my back issues. He gave me a couple of shots that have already helped. I am thankful for doctors like Thad West and people who pray for them. That would be you. Thank you!

Thursday, March 13

This was forwarded to me by my good friend, Kaye Thompson:

Tuesday, March 11

Talking about mixed emotions, (that is what we were talking about wasn't it?) life is certainly a journey. Life is like the proverbial box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get.
Today is like that. The weather outside is what we would consider perfect. And yet it was necessary for us to take some time in this perfect weather to officiate the funeral for a close personal friend of mine. So God gave us sunshine in the midst of a clouded sky.
So today it is a day to have mixes emotions. I will remember Mr. Tommy with tears and smiles. I will rejoice in this perfect weather day that The Lord has made. I will have mixed emotions.

But the one thing that never changes - that never gets mixed up - is the love that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has for me . . . And you.

March 8

Wouldn't it be fun if everyone were alike? We would all be one color. We would all have  the political opinions. We would all like our steak cook one certain way. And of course, the most important  point, we would all pull for the Carolina TarHeels.
But alas, that is not the way that God has made us. He has given to us a blessing and a curse, it is called  "free will."
Within that spectrum comes the freedom of choosing to accept Jesus or not. We can choose right from wrong, or love or hate. There are many choices.
Since this is a private blog, I don't mind telling you that you should choose UNC over Duke in the basketball game,

Once you think about it, the answer to my first question is no. It would not be fun if everyone were alike? It would be downright boring. Being a good fan being never wavering from your team. I'm a TarHeel fan, and now and then I pull for NCSU or ECU or NCWeslyan. But I am NEVER a Duke fan. Now that is fun. :-)

We spent a night in the hospital last night. They ran an MRI.
Looks like healing will just take time. Looks like  no cancer related issues,
I am a fan of Dr, Chang, but even a bigger fan of Jesus.

Saturday, March 1

Where did February go?
I figured that I might find the answer in my blog posts so I went to the blog. It was then that I realized that I have lost the last two posts that I had so painstakingly written.
Before the days of instant electronics I always wrote my notes on little pieces of paper; phone numbers, appointments, ect. That was all well and good as long I could find the notes when I needed them. However, I spent more than a few hours asking Diane to help me find one little piece of paper.

Now I know that my information is not safe, even in the cyber world, as if I ever thought differently. This reminds me of the Scripture that advises us to know what we believe. It is an amazing thing to have written words at our disposal. But it is even more amazing to have those words written
in your heart and mind. So, I will try to check my post more often.

Update: I am still taking chemo every other Monday. I will be glad when we take a break, maybe in a couple of more treatments. The side affects are a bit more taxing. I am a bit more fatigued. Diane is getting a bit run down. But we will get through this, one bit at a time.

After multiple tests, we believe that my severe back pain is coming from a muscle strain. It hurts pretty bad, but the cool thing about it is that I have any muscle at all to strain. I thought I was all skin and bones. lol

If you figure out where February went, send me a text, will you? Or write it down, or put it on fb or google+, or . . .

February 22

Okay, so we all know that I love being "busy." Sometimes I love it a bit too much, I hate to admit that, but Diane might be right on this one. So on Thursday morning we left home to go to Emerald Isle, or Cedar Point, or wherever it was - we went to the beach. My brother Ronnie was kind enough to loan us his condo. Our plans were to stay until today (Saturday). Well, my body had other plans. I began the old familiar puke routine almost as soon as we arrived. I continued to throw up, (tmi again?),so Diane suggested that we go home, and she talked me into it.
We are getting some fluids so that I can "stay busy" this weekend.

See you in church!

Wendesday, February 19

I have heard you say that the absence of a blog implies that I am not doing well. Not so. Sometimes, like this time, the absence of a blog post means that I have been a bit overwhelmed at work. I am okay with that, mind you. I love church.
There are some parts of church that are more costly than others. For instance, pastors love people. They must be that way or they are not called to be a pastor. Anyway, I love me job. I just wish that I could do even more.

Of course you remember that our North Carolina weather threw us for a loop. We had record cold temps and frozen precipitation. Then my blood counts got off whack and I could not take chemo that week. Then I spent a couple of days in the hospital due to a fever of an unknown source, which was never found, by the way.

Then, my fellow cancer journey survivor, Connie Daniels went on to be with the Lord. That gave me the opportunity to speak at her funeral service on Sunday evening - after preaching two services on Sunday morning.

On Monday we did go get chemo and I have been able to get some work done. Today (Wednesday) I went to get my stitch removed from my back surgery and get my chemo pump taken off at SMOC.

I like being busy, don't you? It means that God still has something to leave you on this earth to do.

Lord, let it begin with Jerry