David Welter's Blog, page 19
April 20, 2019
Reflections from the Home Team - April 20, 2019 “Rede...
Reflections from the Home Team - April 20, 2019
“Redemption is a wonderful storyline in both sports and life…Tiger Woods 2019 Masters’ triumph showed us a hard earned redemption in both sport and life. As wonderful a story as that was - the story of Jesus — once dead now raised to life is truly a comeback story for the ages!” Greetings from Cedar Falls!
Let me begin this reflection by wishing everyone a very Happy Easter that is filled with plenty of love and happiness. I hope that Easter will give each of you a reason to celebrate and enjoy the resurrection of life.
I have had a great deal of time to reflect on and appreciate the gift of life since undergoing cancer treatments back in 2009. The “gift of life” can bring with it some hardships, but they pale in comparison with what a joyful and meaningful life journey can be for each of us, if we make the choice to live that joyful and meaningful life!
I’m sure many of you are aware of the Tiger Woods story and his recent comeback in the world of Professional Golf. My favorite author, Jon Gordon had an interesting perspective on that this week. Jon writes:
Everyone Loves a Comeback Story…
Tiger Woods made mistakes and poor decisions. In 2009 the world watched him crash his car, ruin his marriage and fall from the throne of Golf's Kingdom. In the years that followed we continued to watch the once unbeatable golfer get beat by life. Many described him as a Terminator on the golf course, but addiction, rehab, a severe back injury, issues with pain killers and failed comeback attempts made everyone realize just how human he was.
Imperfect and flawed like all of us.
And that's why when Tiger Woods won the Masters yesterday, his first championship in 11 years, Twitter timelines blew up and the world cried and cheered.
Yes, watching Tiger hug his son the way he hugged his late father 22 years ago, after his first Masters win, would make anyone tear up but our emotional connection and response had more to do with who we are than the hugs we saw.
We don't like hypocrites. We don't like people who say one thing and do another. We root against people who think they are perfect and act imperfectly.
But we root for those who fall, who admit their mistakes, who step back into the arena, with flaws and all to see, to overcome their challenges, pain, and setbacks to accomplish something great.
Everyone loves a comeback story! And we love a miraculous, improbable comeback story that features an imperfect, relatable hero even more.
We cheered because we knew how many times he tried to come back. His failures were observed and documented by everyone. The critics said he would never win again. Many suggested he should retire. One talk show host said he considered Tiger a former golfer.
But he didn't give up. He kept trying and we cried because we know how hard he worked and how much courage it took for him to battle through all the adversity, all the back pain, all the doubt and all the personal challenges, to win another championship.
Before his fall from grace it seemed like Tiger was given everything. He had the talent, the drive, the swagger, the mental toughness and the success. It seemed like he was placed on top of the mountain for all of us to worship. We loved watching him play but not everyone loved watching him win.
But this win was sweeter. This one came after the fall. After years of sweat and tears and climbing back up the mountain, he earned this one.
The world tries to define you by the mistakes of your past. But history defines you by how you responded, how you learned and improved, how you made amends, how you persevered and what you accomplished afterwards.
Tiger never gave up and neither should you!
You root for a relatable hero like Tiger Woods because deep down you know there is a hero inside you that has the ability to overcome your pain and past to courageously create an amazing future.
Whether you have been knocked down by life or by your own mistake, Don't Give Up!Everyone loves a comeback story but the best come back story of all is your own!
- Jon
Jon certainly makes some great points about how Tiger went from arguably being the greatest golfer of all time, carrying with it fame, success and material wealth to a life that crashed in around him. He got “beat up” by life’s challenges exposing just how human he really was. He fell out of the top 1,000 golfers in the world. For eleven years he failed to win a single major tournament. His career was as good as dead. Until last Sunday…He teed it up against the world’s best at the Masters when he came from behind to win his fifth green jacket—22 years after he won his first! As Jon points out, the world often tries to define us by the mistakes of our past. But history will define us by how we respond to challenges, how we learn and improve, how we make amends and how we persevere. Some wonderful life lessons we can take away from all this and some great stuff to ponder.
Redemption is a wonderful storyline in both sports and life…Tiger Woods 2019 Masters’ triumph showed us a hard earned redemption in both sport and life. As wonderful a story as that was, his story reminded me of a much more important story - the story of Jesus — once dead now raised to life is truly a comeback story for the ages, and yes, it happened on a Sunday morning too! Whether you have been knocked down by life’s challenges or by your own mistakes, DON’T GIVE UP! Everyone really does love a comeback story, but the best come back story of all can be our own if we sincerely place in our hearts the Easter story of Jesus’s death and resurrection which makes possible our own redemption!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to share with you all that I recently was blessed with the opportunity to visit with author and ghostwriter Dr. Larry Keefauver and Christian counselor and pastor Jeff Golden on their radio program “I am a friend of God” which airs in the Atlanta, North Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee listening areas. It is an inspirational program sharing many examples of the concept of “being a friend of God”. We had a heartfelt discussion and for those who may be interested in listening to the podcast interview or accessing the “I am a friend of God” website, I’ve listed those links below.
“I am a friend of God” website:https://iamafriendofgod.com/
Dr. Larry and Jeff’s podcast interview with David Welter:https://iamafriendofgod.com/podcasts/
“I am a friend of God” Radio Guests and Contact Information:https://iamafriendofgod.com/recent-radio-guests/
Wishing each of you the love, happiness and redemption that Easter can bring!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog and several video messages, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
“Redemption is a wonderful storyline in both sports and life…Tiger Woods 2019 Masters’ triumph showed us a hard earned redemption in both sport and life. As wonderful a story as that was - the story of Jesus — once dead now raised to life is truly a comeback story for the ages!” Greetings from Cedar Falls!
Let me begin this reflection by wishing everyone a very Happy Easter that is filled with plenty of love and happiness. I hope that Easter will give each of you a reason to celebrate and enjoy the resurrection of life.
I have had a great deal of time to reflect on and appreciate the gift of life since undergoing cancer treatments back in 2009. The “gift of life” can bring with it some hardships, but they pale in comparison with what a joyful and meaningful life journey can be for each of us, if we make the choice to live that joyful and meaningful life!
I’m sure many of you are aware of the Tiger Woods story and his recent comeback in the world of Professional Golf. My favorite author, Jon Gordon had an interesting perspective on that this week. Jon writes:
Everyone Loves a Comeback Story…
Tiger Woods made mistakes and poor decisions. In 2009 the world watched him crash his car, ruin his marriage and fall from the throne of Golf's Kingdom. In the years that followed we continued to watch the once unbeatable golfer get beat by life. Many described him as a Terminator on the golf course, but addiction, rehab, a severe back injury, issues with pain killers and failed comeback attempts made everyone realize just how human he was.
Imperfect and flawed like all of us.
And that's why when Tiger Woods won the Masters yesterday, his first championship in 11 years, Twitter timelines blew up and the world cried and cheered.
Yes, watching Tiger hug his son the way he hugged his late father 22 years ago, after his first Masters win, would make anyone tear up but our emotional connection and response had more to do with who we are than the hugs we saw.
We don't like hypocrites. We don't like people who say one thing and do another. We root against people who think they are perfect and act imperfectly.
But we root for those who fall, who admit their mistakes, who step back into the arena, with flaws and all to see, to overcome their challenges, pain, and setbacks to accomplish something great.
Everyone loves a comeback story! And we love a miraculous, improbable comeback story that features an imperfect, relatable hero even more.
We cheered because we knew how many times he tried to come back. His failures were observed and documented by everyone. The critics said he would never win again. Many suggested he should retire. One talk show host said he considered Tiger a former golfer.
But he didn't give up. He kept trying and we cried because we know how hard he worked and how much courage it took for him to battle through all the adversity, all the back pain, all the doubt and all the personal challenges, to win another championship.
Before his fall from grace it seemed like Tiger was given everything. He had the talent, the drive, the swagger, the mental toughness and the success. It seemed like he was placed on top of the mountain for all of us to worship. We loved watching him play but not everyone loved watching him win.
But this win was sweeter. This one came after the fall. After years of sweat and tears and climbing back up the mountain, he earned this one.
The world tries to define you by the mistakes of your past. But history defines you by how you responded, how you learned and improved, how you made amends, how you persevered and what you accomplished afterwards.
Tiger never gave up and neither should you!
You root for a relatable hero like Tiger Woods because deep down you know there is a hero inside you that has the ability to overcome your pain and past to courageously create an amazing future.
Whether you have been knocked down by life or by your own mistake, Don't Give Up!Everyone loves a comeback story but the best come back story of all is your own!
- Jon
Jon certainly makes some great points about how Tiger went from arguably being the greatest golfer of all time, carrying with it fame, success and material wealth to a life that crashed in around him. He got “beat up” by life’s challenges exposing just how human he really was. He fell out of the top 1,000 golfers in the world. For eleven years he failed to win a single major tournament. His career was as good as dead. Until last Sunday…He teed it up against the world’s best at the Masters when he came from behind to win his fifth green jacket—22 years after he won his first! As Jon points out, the world often tries to define us by the mistakes of our past. But history will define us by how we respond to challenges, how we learn and improve, how we make amends and how we persevere. Some wonderful life lessons we can take away from all this and some great stuff to ponder.
Redemption is a wonderful storyline in both sports and life…Tiger Woods 2019 Masters’ triumph showed us a hard earned redemption in both sport and life. As wonderful a story as that was, his story reminded me of a much more important story - the story of Jesus — once dead now raised to life is truly a comeback story for the ages, and yes, it happened on a Sunday morning too! Whether you have been knocked down by life’s challenges or by your own mistakes, DON’T GIVE UP! Everyone really does love a comeback story, but the best come back story of all can be our own if we sincerely place in our hearts the Easter story of Jesus’s death and resurrection which makes possible our own redemption!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to share with you all that I recently was blessed with the opportunity to visit with author and ghostwriter Dr. Larry Keefauver and Christian counselor and pastor Jeff Golden on their radio program “I am a friend of God” which airs in the Atlanta, North Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee listening areas. It is an inspirational program sharing many examples of the concept of “being a friend of God”. We had a heartfelt discussion and for those who may be interested in listening to the podcast interview or accessing the “I am a friend of God” website, I’ve listed those links below.
“I am a friend of God” website:https://iamafriendofgod.com/
Dr. Larry and Jeff’s podcast interview with David Welter:https://iamafriendofgod.com/podcasts/
“I am a friend of God” Radio Guests and Contact Information:https://iamafriendofgod.com/recent-radio-guests/
Wishing each of you the love, happiness and redemption that Easter can bring!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog and several video messages, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
March 5, 2019
Reflections from the Home Team March 5, 2019 “There i...
Reflections from the Home Team March 5, 2019
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Let the Sunshine and Season Begin!
Greetings from the “frozen tundra” in Cedar Falls,
Over the past few months I’ve often found it hard to believe that spring is coming... With record snowfall and cold temperatures as well as the fact that winter appears to want to drag on, I’ve needed to generate some positive thoughts! It’s silly to doubt it, I know. In all my years watching the seasons pass, spring has never once failed us, no matter how tardy it may seem. The sun always comes home from a long vacation to melt the snow pack… The grass emerges, a little brown at first, then green and full of life. The birds return, making nests, whistling songs into a warm blue sky. No matter how long it takes, winter always comes to an end.
But even though I know it’s true—even though I’ve witnessed it year after year—I’m struggling to believe in spring right now. My wintertime doldrums are about far more than winter itself. It’s the same doubt that overtakes me in my seasons of difficulty, setbacks and sorrows. No matter how many times I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in my life over the past number of years, each new and difficult challenge has been a “brush back” pitch, often taking me to the edge of my seat. I hold my breath, waiting and wondering if God’s grace could possibly come through yet again.
Not sure about you, but my memory is often so very short.... and I needed to remind myself of the blessings that have come my way over the past few years. I’ve had a little help from my “Home Team” friends with those reminders the past couple of weeks, and felt like sharing some of those thoughts with each of you today.
One of our teaching team members at Nazareth, Laura Sohl-Cryer presented a wonderful message this past Sunday appropriately titled “Shine”. The focus was on Matthew 5:14-16. Laura talked about how we can “shine” a light onto others, helping provide them with hope… something we can all use given the duration of the winter of 2019 here in Iowa. She also talked about the “baskets” that we often use to cover our own light, preventing our hope and positivity from shining on others. Three of those “baskets” included fear, which needs to be replaced with courage (thinking back to my cancer journey); busyness, which needs to be replaced by intentionality and self-centeredness, which needs to be replaced by selflessness. We need to remind ourselves to remove those baskets so that the light of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control can shine on those we come in contact with. If interested in listening, Laura’s message can be accessed at:https://vimeo.com/321103697
A second reminder came from my favorite writer, Jon Gordon who shared the following post this week:
20 THINGS WE SHOULDSAY MORE OFTENThe words we speak matter. They help to shape the world around us. That’s why I believe we need to speak words of truth and hope not only to ourselves but to others as well. Here are 20 things we should say more often if we want to make the world more positive:1. I love you.2. I believe in you.3. You are worthy. You deserve it.4. The best is yet to come.5. Stay positive.6. I was wrong. I'm sorry.7. Please.8. How can I help?9. I'm here for you when you want to talk.10. You can do it.11. You've got this and God's got you.12. Please forgive me.13. I forgive you.14. I've got your back.15. I'm open to your feedback. Make me better.16. You're not alone.17. Even if we disagree, we can still be friends.18. You matter.19. Thank You.20. There is greatness inside you.- Jon
Jon always seems to come through with thoughts that help me at just the right time. Wouldn’t the world be a much more positive place if we just used these words more often?? I’ll certainly plan to give it my best!
And finally, a good friend shared a book with me last week that has been a powerful read! I truly related as one of the ways I have kept a sense of hope and positivity throughout my cancer journey is through the “gift of reading”, reading stories of people who have overcome challenges in their lives with hope and positivity. The Sun Does Shine is a memoir of hope, love, justice, and the power of reading, written by a man who spent thirty years on death row for a crime he didn't commit!
In 1985, Anthony Ray Hinton was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in Alabama. Stunned, confused, and only twenty-nine years old, Hinton knew that it was a case of mistaken identity and believed that the truth would prove his innocence and ultimately set him free.
But with no money and a different system of justice for a poor black man in the South, Hinton was sentenced to death by electrocution. He spent his first three years on Death Row at Holman State Prison in agonizing silence—full of despair and anger toward all those who had sent an innocent man to his death. But as Hinton realized and accepted his fate, he resolved not only to survive, but find a way to live on Death Row. For the next twenty-seven years he was a beacon—transforming not only his own spirit, but those of his fellow inmates, fifty-four of whom were executed mere feet from his cell. With the help of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Hinton won his release in 2015.
The Sun Does Shine is an extraordinary testament to the power of hope sustained through the darkest times. Hinton’s memoir tells his dramatic thirty-year journey and shows how you can take away a man’s freedom, but you can’t take away his imagination, humor, or joy. When talking to his mother and good friend Lester who visited him regularly over those years, Anthony talked about his plan to get home someday. “I had a plan. Lester knew it, I knew it. God knew it. And that was all that mattered! – There was no question how my sentencing would turn out, but I would still pray for a miracle and try not to criticize it if the miracle didn’t look like what I expected.”
What a powerful testimony!! This was a story that has helped teach me the impact hope and a sense of positivity can have on us despite any challenges or difficulties we may face! I strongly recommend it!
I’m praying today for the grace of memory, reminding me of what spring feels like. I’m praying for a heart that rejoices in the delights and sorrows of each passing year, a heart that grows warmer with every winter it endures. I’m praying that my memory teaches me to believe in spring and all the freshness and positivity it brings…
As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states:“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Let the Sunshine and Season Begin!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog and several video messages, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
February 3, 2019
Reflections from the Home Team, February 3, 2019 “As ...
Reflections from the Home Team, February 3, 2019
“As we approach our individual ‘spring trainings’, may we remember that the teammates in our lives (both human and divine) can help us find our way when dealing with the struggles and challenges each day can bring… while always remembering to keep God at our side along the way.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
As you all know, the weather has been brutal up this way the past couple of weeks, so I’ve needed to “distract” my thoughts by thinking of things much more positive… I’ve also experienced the loss of a friend and another acquaintance to cancer over the past couple of months, which has also been weighing on my mind.
Given those challenging thoughts, I have done my best to restore my mindset to “positive mode” by reminding myself of the importance of my “Home Team”, and the impact they have had on me when I need a lift, something I have so often talked about in my reflections to all of you. My thoughts also wandered to the final moments of both that friend and acquaintance who were lovingly surrounded by family and friends as they took their final breath on this earth and passed on to the eternal homes that have been prepared for each of them by our loving Father. That thought helped remind me of the wonderful things that lay ahead for each of us, even after we deal with the pain and struggles this life can bring.
At this time of year, my mind tends to wander to “Spring Training” (imagine that) where pitchers and catchers will soon report. I can literally smell the freshly mown grass as a reminder of the spring that lies just ahead of us here in the Midwest! Every spring, baseball teams start training for the season to produce the best “team” results they possibly can. Even though they may already know each other and have a good grasp of the fundamentals needed to succeed, it boosts their performance and teamwork while also helping integrate new members onto the team. When discussing the subject of teamwork with my former players, “playing together as a team” was always one of their higher priorities.
Sharing thoughts while navigating my cancer journey has been a “from the heart” experience, allowing me to process and reflect on the many emotions and fears that have invaded my mind since this adventure began back in 2009. As you can surely tell from reading those thoughts, not all of them have been positive, but with the help of my Home Team, I have strived to make them productive.
Last week I heard a wonderful message from Pastor Brian King that really brought home the importance of “team” to me and gave me a special “lift” that was needed. It was titled “There’s No “I” in Team”. If interested, you can view it at this link: https://vimeo.com/314075530
Pastor Brian shared that we learn in 1 Corinthians, 12: 4-7 that the body is made of many parts and every part matters. We cannot be the “body alone” as we are created to live and serve in community. There is no greater example of this than what I have experienced from my Home Team on my cancer journey.
God really did design us to live close to Him so that by trusting in Him we can feel peaceful and complete. Sometimes, we tend to forget this as we deal with life’s challenges “on our own” instead of staying in touch with Him and others around us. Pastor Brian used an illustration of what can happen when we depend wholly on ourselves, rather than reaching out to others around us when facing challenges.
It is titled “The Barrel of Bricks”:This man was in an accident (work accident, not car accident), so he filled out an insurance claim. The insurance company contacted him and asked for more information. This was his response:
I am writing in response to your request for additional information for block number 3 of the accident reporting form. I put ‘poor planning’ as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following detail will be sufficient.
I am an amateur radio operator and on the day of the accident, I was working alone on the top section of my new 80 foot tower.
When I had completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the now un-needed tools and material down by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using a pulley, which was fortunately attached to the gin pole at the top of the tower.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools and material into the barrel. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300 pounds of tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh only 155 pounds.
Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above me, I again lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope . . .
I think we have all had a “Barrel of Bricks” to deal with at some time or another in our lives… and if you are like me, often we try to handle things on our own. When those challenges come our way, be sure to reach out to others (both human and divine) for the strength, love and support needed to meet them. We cannot be the “body alone” as we are created to live and serve in community!
An inspiring piece written by Chuck Swindoll titled, Friendly People, Thoughtful People, lovingly describes the special people who have surrounded me in my life, making up my precious Home Team. It reads:
“If I have learned anything during my journey on Planet Earth, it is that people need one another.
The presence of other people is essential —caring people, helpful people, interesting people, friendly people, and thoughtful people. These folks take the grind out of life.
About the time we are tempted to think we can handle things all alone —boom! We run into some obstacle and need assistance. We discover all over again that we are not nearly as self-sufficient as we thought.
In spite of our high-tech world and efficient procedures, people remain the essential ingredient of life. When we forget that, a strange thing happens: We start treating people like inconveniences instead of assets.”
As we approach our individual ‘spring trainings’, may we remember that the teammates in our lives (both human and divine) can help us find our way when dealing with the struggles and challenges each day can bring… while always remembering to keep God at our side along the way.
Thanks again for being such a special part of my Home Team…Many blessings your way!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog and several video messages, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
“As we approach our individual ‘spring trainings’, may we remember that the teammates in our lives (both human and divine) can help us find our way when dealing with the struggles and challenges each day can bring… while always remembering to keep God at our side along the way.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
As you all know, the weather has been brutal up this way the past couple of weeks, so I’ve needed to “distract” my thoughts by thinking of things much more positive… I’ve also experienced the loss of a friend and another acquaintance to cancer over the past couple of months, which has also been weighing on my mind.
Given those challenging thoughts, I have done my best to restore my mindset to “positive mode” by reminding myself of the importance of my “Home Team”, and the impact they have had on me when I need a lift, something I have so often talked about in my reflections to all of you. My thoughts also wandered to the final moments of both that friend and acquaintance who were lovingly surrounded by family and friends as they took their final breath on this earth and passed on to the eternal homes that have been prepared for each of them by our loving Father. That thought helped remind me of the wonderful things that lay ahead for each of us, even after we deal with the pain and struggles this life can bring.
At this time of year, my mind tends to wander to “Spring Training” (imagine that) where pitchers and catchers will soon report. I can literally smell the freshly mown grass as a reminder of the spring that lies just ahead of us here in the Midwest! Every spring, baseball teams start training for the season to produce the best “team” results they possibly can. Even though they may already know each other and have a good grasp of the fundamentals needed to succeed, it boosts their performance and teamwork while also helping integrate new members onto the team. When discussing the subject of teamwork with my former players, “playing together as a team” was always one of their higher priorities.
Sharing thoughts while navigating my cancer journey has been a “from the heart” experience, allowing me to process and reflect on the many emotions and fears that have invaded my mind since this adventure began back in 2009. As you can surely tell from reading those thoughts, not all of them have been positive, but with the help of my Home Team, I have strived to make them productive.
Last week I heard a wonderful message from Pastor Brian King that really brought home the importance of “team” to me and gave me a special “lift” that was needed. It was titled “There’s No “I” in Team”. If interested, you can view it at this link: https://vimeo.com/314075530
Pastor Brian shared that we learn in 1 Corinthians, 12: 4-7 that the body is made of many parts and every part matters. We cannot be the “body alone” as we are created to live and serve in community. There is no greater example of this than what I have experienced from my Home Team on my cancer journey.
God really did design us to live close to Him so that by trusting in Him we can feel peaceful and complete. Sometimes, we tend to forget this as we deal with life’s challenges “on our own” instead of staying in touch with Him and others around us. Pastor Brian used an illustration of what can happen when we depend wholly on ourselves, rather than reaching out to others around us when facing challenges.
It is titled “The Barrel of Bricks”:This man was in an accident (work accident, not car accident), so he filled out an insurance claim. The insurance company contacted him and asked for more information. This was his response:
I am writing in response to your request for additional information for block number 3 of the accident reporting form. I put ‘poor planning’ as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain more fully and I trust the following detail will be sufficient.
I am an amateur radio operator and on the day of the accident, I was working alone on the top section of my new 80 foot tower.
When I had completed my work, I discovered that I had, over the course of several trips up the tower, brought up about 300 pounds of tools and spare hardware. Rather than carry the now un-needed tools and material down by hand, I decided to lower the items down in a small barrel by using a pulley, which was fortunately attached to the gin pole at the top of the tower.
Securing the rope at ground level, I went to the top of the tower and loaded the tools and material into the barrel. Then I went back to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the 300 pounds of tools. You will note in block number 11 of the accident reporting form that I weigh only 155 pounds.
Due to my surprise of being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope. Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate of speed up the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming down. This explains my fractured skull and broken collarbone. Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.
Fortunately, by this time, I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold onto the rope in spite of my pain.
At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of tools hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel. Devoid of the weight of the tools, the barrel now weighed approximately 20 pounds. I refer you again to my weight in block number 11. As you might imagine, I began a rapid descent down the side of the tower. In the vicinity of the 40-foot level, I met the barrel coming up. This accounts for the two fractured ankles, and the lacerations of my legs and lower body. The encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell onto the pile of tools and, fortunately, only three vertebrae were cracked. I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the tools, in pain, unable to stand and watching the empty barrel 80 feet above me, I again lost my presence of mind. I let go of the rope . . .
I think we have all had a “Barrel of Bricks” to deal with at some time or another in our lives… and if you are like me, often we try to handle things on our own. When those challenges come our way, be sure to reach out to others (both human and divine) for the strength, love and support needed to meet them. We cannot be the “body alone” as we are created to live and serve in community!
An inspiring piece written by Chuck Swindoll titled, Friendly People, Thoughtful People, lovingly describes the special people who have surrounded me in my life, making up my precious Home Team. It reads:
“If I have learned anything during my journey on Planet Earth, it is that people need one another.
The presence of other people is essential —caring people, helpful people, interesting people, friendly people, and thoughtful people. These folks take the grind out of life.
About the time we are tempted to think we can handle things all alone —boom! We run into some obstacle and need assistance. We discover all over again that we are not nearly as self-sufficient as we thought.
In spite of our high-tech world and efficient procedures, people remain the essential ingredient of life. When we forget that, a strange thing happens: We start treating people like inconveniences instead of assets.”
As we approach our individual ‘spring trainings’, may we remember that the teammates in our lives (both human and divine) can help us find our way when dealing with the struggles and challenges each day can bring… while always remembering to keep God at our side along the way.
Thanks again for being such a special part of my Home Team…Many blessings your way!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated! Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog and several video messages, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
January 2, 2019
Reflections from the Home Team - January 2, 2019 ...
Reflections from the Home Team - January 2, 2019
“Though I am in hospice care and have to wake up every morning knowing that the day might be my last, I still have a choice to make: to make that day the best it can be. To make the most of whoever comes to visit, texts, tweets or calls me. Yet, isn’t that a choice we all have every day? After all, nobody knows the amount of days we have left. Some could say we are all in hospice to a certain degree. Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.” -- Tyler Trent
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I wanted to welcome my “Home Team” to 2019 by sharing some thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for the past several weeks. Scary thought, I know, but here goes…
First, I was saddened to hear of the passing of young Tyler Trent yesterday. Tyler had been an inspiration for me when I first became aware of his situation last year. Tyler was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2014 when he was still in high school. He had part of his right arm replaced with titanium, but last year the cancer came back in his pelvis. The cancer has been extremely aggressive and Tyler has been in hospice care this past fall. Tyler died Tuesday, January 1. He was just 20 years old.
As a student at Purdue University, Tyler was a huge Boilermaker fan and has served as an inspiration to the football team and an entire community. Tyler wanted to be a sportswriter and was determined to attend Purdue despite suffering three bouts with a rare bone cancer, first diagnosed at age 15. He entered Purdue in the fall of 2017 while undergoing chemotherapy. He camped out with another student to get good seats to a Purdue-Michigan football game, just hours after chemotherapy.He gained national attention in 2018 by becoming the adopted captain of the Boilermakers football team. He was in a wheelchair for Purdue’s upset win over Ohio State, which was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time. He became an inspiration to many with his positive attitude and determination to live every day to the fullest despite the illness. You know, it’s seems like such a cliché to say that you should live every day like it was your last on earth…That’s probably not sustainable. I like what Tyler Trent had to say, though…
“Though I am in hospice care and have to wake up every morning knowing that the day might be my last, I still have a choice to make: to make that day the best it can be. To make the most of whoever comes to visit, texts, tweets or calls me. Yet, isn’t that a choice we all have every day? After all, nobody knows the amount of days we have left. Some could say we are all in hospice to a certain degree. Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.”
We all can honor Tyler by making the most of each and every day. You don’t have to live it like it’s your last day on earth. Just try and make it the best it can be. Savor your interactions with others, enjoy your morning coffee and take some time to notice the beauty around you. Don’t put off getting together with someone you want to see. Let a friend know you care about them. Make today count!
Another thought that I wanted to share was a recent post from my favorite author, Jon Gordon. Jon always seems to come up with a message that not only inspires, but also is timely for me as I travel my life’s journey. His message ties into what Tyler’s short, but impactful life was about -- facing life each and every day in a positive way despite your personal circumstances.
Jon writes:
No Fear in the New Year
Eighteen years ago I looked out into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day with fear in my heart and uncertainty in my life. I had been fired from a dot com company two weeks earlier with only two weeks of severance, no insurance for my two young children and only two months of savings in the bank. My wife and I had just invested every dollar we had and even took out a second mortgage on our home and $20,000 on a credit card to open what would be the first Moe’s Southwest Grill in Florida.
The restaurant was set to open January 13th and we had no earthly idea how we would pay our home mortgage and other bills since I planned on keeping my salary and job while my managers built the restaurant business. Now, it was New Years Day and I had no job, no salary and a restaurant opening that at worst would fail miserably or at best take a year to be profitable.
I thought of all this as I prepared to jump into the icy cold water-to take a symbolic plunge that this would be the year of NO FEAR. Regardless of the circumstances I was facing, this would be the year where I would trust and go for it. This would be the year I would be bold in actions and faith. No longer could I do it alone. Now I needed a miracle and I decided to act as if my future depended on me and pray like it depended on God.
By jumping into the ocean I was declaring that no longer will I allow fear to cut off the flow of abundant and positive energy in my life. No longer will I allow fear to paralyze me. Instead of fear I would trust.
Now, eighteen years later, I'm jumping into the ocean once again on New Year’s Day (but this time in California). It has become my yearly ritual – to remind myself to follow my passion, live life to the fullest, surrender and to stay one step ahead of the fear that hovers around me.
And as I take my leap into the ocean I want to invite you to jump in with me. Perhaps not in the ocean but in the depths of your mind. This jump doesn't necessarily require water but rather a leap of faith in your belief system and a shift in your mindset. The antidote to fear is trust and it is only a thought away.
No one is going to push you over the chasm of struggle to the life that you want. God will nudge you but you must take the leap. You must make this jump in your mind and then with your actions. You must make this jump with trust, determination and faith.
After all, they don't call it a leap of fear. They call it a "leap of faith" for a reason.
You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear. The bigger your trust the smaller your fear becomes. And the more you trust the more you become a conduit for miracles. I know! A consulting project presented itself out the blue and we were able to pay our mortgage. A check came in the mail, the right opportunities came our way and somehow, some way my family and I were carried. A year after the restaurant opened I started writing which eventually lead to me writing books, speaking and doing the work I do now.
Maybe 2018 wasn't a great year for you but I believe the New Year represents a fresh start and presents a new opportunity to create the life and career you want. All you have to do is jump in with all that you are and all that you wish to become. I wish you an amazing 2019 and I'm sending positive energy your way.
"You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear."
-Jon
That brings me to my final thought…
I recently spent some time at Barnes and Noble doing a little “book shopping” to help bolster my mind with positive thoughts. I overheard a conversation with a young lady who was asking an employee where she could find a new suspense novel that had just been released. The young man quickly handed the young lady a book from his “personal stash” behind the counter and went back to work. I watched a smile spread across her face as she examined her new treasure while gently turning the book over in her hands and flipping through pages. She then did something I absolutely could not believe. She turned to the last several pages of the book and began reading. I could not help myself.
“Okay. I have to confess that I saw you reading the last few pages of the book. Why in the world did you read the ending? Won’t that spoil the story for you?” I asked. “Not at all,” she quickly responded. “Before I buy a book, I always read the ending to make sure I really want that particular book,” she explained.
It was worse than I thought…seeing the look of disbelief on my face, she laughed and admitted, “I know. It sounds crazy, but I have to know that everything turns out okay before I commit to reading the book.”
The more I thought about her words, the more I realized that as followers of God, we need to do the same. We need to live every minute of every day knowing that no matter what we face, we can truly say, “God’s got it!”
When we focus only on what we can see and understand or explain, we will worry... Been there, done that!!
Fear and doubt will become familiar companions if we live each day against the backdrop of this broken world and our individual circumstances. Our only hope is placing our trust in God. As Isaiah 43:2 says; “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
I am so often tempted to worry about so many things… Our world is a mess! I need to continually remind myself that He is in control and that “He’s got this” no matter what my circumstance!
I’d like to leave you with two final thoughts from Tyler and John as you focus on the year ahead in 2019…
“Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.” Tyler Trent
"You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear." Jon Gordon
Wishing you a healthy, happy and joy filled year ahead!
In Christ’s love and comfort,
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
“Though I am in hospice care and have to wake up every morning knowing that the day might be my last, I still have a choice to make: to make that day the best it can be. To make the most of whoever comes to visit, texts, tweets or calls me. Yet, isn’t that a choice we all have every day? After all, nobody knows the amount of days we have left. Some could say we are all in hospice to a certain degree. Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.” -- Tyler Trent
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I wanted to welcome my “Home Team” to 2019 by sharing some thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for the past several weeks. Scary thought, I know, but here goes…
First, I was saddened to hear of the passing of young Tyler Trent yesterday. Tyler had been an inspiration for me when I first became aware of his situation last year. Tyler was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2014 when he was still in high school. He had part of his right arm replaced with titanium, but last year the cancer came back in his pelvis. The cancer has been extremely aggressive and Tyler has been in hospice care this past fall. Tyler died Tuesday, January 1. He was just 20 years old.
As a student at Purdue University, Tyler was a huge Boilermaker fan and has served as an inspiration to the football team and an entire community. Tyler wanted to be a sportswriter and was determined to attend Purdue despite suffering three bouts with a rare bone cancer, first diagnosed at age 15. He entered Purdue in the fall of 2017 while undergoing chemotherapy. He camped out with another student to get good seats to a Purdue-Michigan football game, just hours after chemotherapy.He gained national attention in 2018 by becoming the adopted captain of the Boilermakers football team. He was in a wheelchair for Purdue’s upset win over Ohio State, which was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time. He became an inspiration to many with his positive attitude and determination to live every day to the fullest despite the illness. You know, it’s seems like such a cliché to say that you should live every day like it was your last on earth…That’s probably not sustainable. I like what Tyler Trent had to say, though…
“Though I am in hospice care and have to wake up every morning knowing that the day might be my last, I still have a choice to make: to make that day the best it can be. To make the most of whoever comes to visit, texts, tweets or calls me. Yet, isn’t that a choice we all have every day? After all, nobody knows the amount of days we have left. Some could say we are all in hospice to a certain degree. Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.”
We all can honor Tyler by making the most of each and every day. You don’t have to live it like it’s your last day on earth. Just try and make it the best it can be. Savor your interactions with others, enjoy your morning coffee and take some time to notice the beauty around you. Don’t put off getting together with someone you want to see. Let a friend know you care about them. Make today count!
Another thought that I wanted to share was a recent post from my favorite author, Jon Gordon. Jon always seems to come up with a message that not only inspires, but also is timely for me as I travel my life’s journey. His message ties into what Tyler’s short, but impactful life was about -- facing life each and every day in a positive way despite your personal circumstances.
Jon writes:
No Fear in the New Year
Eighteen years ago I looked out into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day with fear in my heart and uncertainty in my life. I had been fired from a dot com company two weeks earlier with only two weeks of severance, no insurance for my two young children and only two months of savings in the bank. My wife and I had just invested every dollar we had and even took out a second mortgage on our home and $20,000 on a credit card to open what would be the first Moe’s Southwest Grill in Florida.
The restaurant was set to open January 13th and we had no earthly idea how we would pay our home mortgage and other bills since I planned on keeping my salary and job while my managers built the restaurant business. Now, it was New Years Day and I had no job, no salary and a restaurant opening that at worst would fail miserably or at best take a year to be profitable.
I thought of all this as I prepared to jump into the icy cold water-to take a symbolic plunge that this would be the year of NO FEAR. Regardless of the circumstances I was facing, this would be the year where I would trust and go for it. This would be the year I would be bold in actions and faith. No longer could I do it alone. Now I needed a miracle and I decided to act as if my future depended on me and pray like it depended on God.
By jumping into the ocean I was declaring that no longer will I allow fear to cut off the flow of abundant and positive energy in my life. No longer will I allow fear to paralyze me. Instead of fear I would trust.
Now, eighteen years later, I'm jumping into the ocean once again on New Year’s Day (but this time in California). It has become my yearly ritual – to remind myself to follow my passion, live life to the fullest, surrender and to stay one step ahead of the fear that hovers around me.
And as I take my leap into the ocean I want to invite you to jump in with me. Perhaps not in the ocean but in the depths of your mind. This jump doesn't necessarily require water but rather a leap of faith in your belief system and a shift in your mindset. The antidote to fear is trust and it is only a thought away.
No one is going to push you over the chasm of struggle to the life that you want. God will nudge you but you must take the leap. You must make this jump in your mind and then with your actions. You must make this jump with trust, determination and faith.
After all, they don't call it a leap of fear. They call it a "leap of faith" for a reason.
You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear. The bigger your trust the smaller your fear becomes. And the more you trust the more you become a conduit for miracles. I know! A consulting project presented itself out the blue and we were able to pay our mortgage. A check came in the mail, the right opportunities came our way and somehow, some way my family and I were carried. A year after the restaurant opened I started writing which eventually lead to me writing books, speaking and doing the work I do now.
Maybe 2018 wasn't a great year for you but I believe the New Year represents a fresh start and presents a new opportunity to create the life and career you want. All you have to do is jump in with all that you are and all that you wish to become. I wish you an amazing 2019 and I'm sending positive energy your way.
"You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear."
-Jon
That brings me to my final thought…
I recently spent some time at Barnes and Noble doing a little “book shopping” to help bolster my mind with positive thoughts. I overheard a conversation with a young lady who was asking an employee where she could find a new suspense novel that had just been released. The young man quickly handed the young lady a book from his “personal stash” behind the counter and went back to work. I watched a smile spread across her face as she examined her new treasure while gently turning the book over in her hands and flipping through pages. She then did something I absolutely could not believe. She turned to the last several pages of the book and began reading. I could not help myself.
“Okay. I have to confess that I saw you reading the last few pages of the book. Why in the world did you read the ending? Won’t that spoil the story for you?” I asked. “Not at all,” she quickly responded. “Before I buy a book, I always read the ending to make sure I really want that particular book,” she explained.
It was worse than I thought…seeing the look of disbelief on my face, she laughed and admitted, “I know. It sounds crazy, but I have to know that everything turns out okay before I commit to reading the book.”
The more I thought about her words, the more I realized that as followers of God, we need to do the same. We need to live every minute of every day knowing that no matter what we face, we can truly say, “God’s got it!”
When we focus only on what we can see and understand or explain, we will worry... Been there, done that!!
Fear and doubt will become familiar companions if we live each day against the backdrop of this broken world and our individual circumstances. Our only hope is placing our trust in God. As Isaiah 43:2 says; “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
I am so often tempted to worry about so many things… Our world is a mess! I need to continually remind myself that He is in control and that “He’s got this” no matter what my circumstance!
I’d like to leave you with two final thoughts from Tyler and John as you focus on the year ahead in 2019…
“Be aware that any day can be your last and make each day the best it can be.” Tyler Trent
"You will always feel fear. Everyone will. But your trust must be bigger than your fear." Jon Gordon
Wishing you a healthy, happy and joy filled year ahead!
In Christ’s love and comfort,
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
November 21, 2018
Reflections from the Home Team, November 21, 2018 ...
Reflections from the Home Team, November 21, 2018
“May we all put the “giving” back in Thanksgiving as we celebrate that we can ALL give to each other of our time, talents and resources while being thankful to God for the gift of life.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the Thanksgiving Holiday we are in the process of celebrating. We all certainly have reason to give thanks! I have many things to be thankful for, most importantly, the gift of life as well as the gifts of “encouragement” both given and received over the years. Thanksgiving is most certainly a day to be thankful, but often, we are not reminded for whom or what to be thankful...
Historically, many will be taught that the settlers who came to our shores from Europe (the Pilgrims) set aside a day to show gratefulness to the "Indians" who showed them how to plant corn. Unfortunately, that misses the mark by a mile!
The story of the Pilgrims is a complicated one. Let me begin with just a few of the basics. Being a “history guy”, I enjoy sharing them.
The Pilgrims were a group of Separatists who broke away from the Church of England in an effort to return to a more biblically based way of life. On September 16, 1620, 102 passengers boarded the Mayflower with the hope of finding religious freedom and a better way of life.
The 65-day voyage across the storm-tossed Atlantic was itself very dangerous for the Pilgrims. Nevertheless, feeling God's calling, they pressed forward, and sighted Cape Cod on November 19th 1620. Hundreds of miles north of their original destination of Virginia, the Mayflower dropped anchor at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts, on November 21. In December, they made their way across the bay to settle at Plymouth. As they looked out at the gray, windswept coast on that cold November day, many of the Pilgrims must have wondered if it really was God's will for them to relocate to this desolate land. Little did they know that the true test of their resolve was yet to come.
That first harsh winter was devastating to the men, women, and children who had already traveled far and sacrificed so much. Poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and the unforgiving winter took their toll. Many died. The new year brought more of the same. By the time spring descended on the North Atlantic coast, nearly half of the original group was gone.
Christopher Jones, the captain of the Mayflower, anchored his ship in the harbor throughout the winter. He felt so sorry for the settlers that he allowed many from the colony to take refuge in the hull of his ship since shelter was scarce and the winter was so fierce. Finally, on April 5, 1621, he decided that he'd had enough, and resolved to return home.
Not one of those remaining settlers left with Captain Jones when he set sail that day. Each one of them felt the call of God deep within his or her heart, and as a group, they refused to go back. Undoubtedly, they were afraid, and they probably didn't have a lot of optimism about the uncertain future lying before them.
What an amazing display of faith and resolve in the face of adversity! Without a doubt, it was the Pilgrims' reliance on the Lord that carried them through that incredibly difficult time. God used the gritty determination and the spiritual leadership of men such as John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, and William Brewster—some of our earliest national heroes—to create a firm foundation on which our country would be built.
The faith that motivated those first settlers is best described in their own words. William Bradford, one of the original leaders who would go on to serve as governor of Plymouth Colony for more than 30 years, wrote a firsthand account of the Pilgrims' journey, when he wrote:
"But these things did not dismay them (though they did sometimes
trouble them) for their desires were set on the ways of God, and to enjoy His ordinances; but they rested on His providence, and knew whom they had believed."
Looking back on these traumatic events, it's hard to believe that they laid the foundation for the holiday that we now know as Thanksgiving!
Despite the trials and difficulties that our forebears endured, the Pilgrims did indeed hold a feast of thanksgiving to praise God after their first harvest in 1621.The Native Americans joined them in this gathering of goodwill, as one of their own, Squanto, had been instrumental in teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn, and in showing them where to fish and trap beaver.
The Apostle Paul shared some thoughts in Philippians that I'm sure were an inspiration to the Pilgrims in their plight, and I often think those words were also intended for our encouragement. They read:
“. . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
Perhaps that should be the theme of our Thanksgiving remembrance as we bow our heads in humble gratitude for this great land and its Creator. Never in the history of the world has a nation been so blessed as we. As we gather with our families, we need to remind each other about the sacrifices made by the Pilgrims who helped pass along the freedoms we enjoy today. And may we be eternally grateful for the men and women who shed their blood on battlefields and on ships far from home that we might conquer tyrants and dictators who would have enslaved us. We must never forget what they handed down to our generation and those yet to come. Their faith has been a model for us all!
Perhaps a Thanksgiving message that was recently shared with me by a good friend, which was written back in 1960 by her father, speaks to the importance of yet another reason to celebrate what is often lost in the “Holiday shuffle.” It is a message from the heart that is timeless and encouraging. It reads:
Three days ago most of us remembered to give thanks. Historically (1621) and religiously a service of gratitude for the good things received. And we, in a way that is becoming mechanical, expressed our gratitude for the good things we have received. And how many of us stopped to think of the good things we could give?
Pilgrims gave up home, security, jobs and lives. This caused me to stop and think that Thanksgiving is two words.We have little difficulty remembering the Thanks, but we substitute “getting” for “giving”, and instead of Thanksgiving we celebrate a “Thanks getting”.
We are thankful for the many blessings we have received, yet one of the richest blessings for which we might be thankful is the blessing of having something to give. The blessing of having something to give.
What are some of the things we give thanks for? We customarily think of giving thanks for our prosperity, national and personal. Yet, this is by no means shared by all; those who have it at this moment are not certain of possessing it in the next moment.
Our farmers give thanks for a good crop year and we should, for without the cycle of seedtime and harvest, life would cease to exist after a few short years. But good growing seasons do not happen every year, nor everywhere. So this blessing is not one that everyone receives all the time.
Our health---a blessing to be sure but certainly not a blessing in which we all share. Those of us whose ministry is medicine know that there are many families who at some Thanksgiving season will not be able to give thanks for health because sickness and disease are an ever present threat.
There is however the blessing that we all possess at all times and that is the blessing of being able to give. What can we give?
In the stewardship season we think of gifts of money and we should. To those whom God has prospered far, far beyond our necessities, comes the opportunity of giving some of our money so that others less fortunate might meet their necessities. Talents---not all have the great talents of our few great men and women. The world is too small for a great many people with great talents. But we all have some small talents and it is the giving of these many small talents that make our world a better world, Columbia a better town, Trinity Presbyterian a better church.
Time---the one gift we all have in equal amount. Not all have equal money, not all have equal talent, but all have the same number of hours in our day, 24. And 168 hours a week. Yet what are we most reluctant to give up? We will give of money, we will share our talents, but our time is “well (we say) my time is my own.” Is it? Of course not, then why not share this greatest gift we have and give others our time?
So these three things we can give and for this we can be thankful. We can see Thanksgiving not as a time of thanks for what we get, but time to think of what we can give.
Finally I would like to mention that there is something permanent we can and should give thanks for.
It is not like prosperity because that shifts like sand…It’s not like a bountiful harvest because that swings from feast to famine… It’s not like health because sooner or later the ills of man beset us all…
What is this then for which we can always be thankful?It is a person, given to us by God. It is a gift. Just as our greatest blessing is what WE can give, our greatest gift is the person of Jesus of Nazareth. What does he give us?
Not wealth. The Christian has no guarantee of prosperity. Jesus appealed to the poor. And often wealth is a stumbling block---eye of a needle, rich young ruler. Not health. Christians sicken and suffer just like their pagan brothers… in Job, rain falls on just and unjust.
What does he give us? “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”The promise is that we would not just exist but really live and live abundantly…to be vitally alive, not because of good things we happen to have--- prosperity or health, but in spite of adversity, poverty, and sickness. Eternally alive”- John 5:24
This is God’s Promise, and all because 2000 years ago this man was willing to give and give of himself so that we might live. It is because of this person and because of this promise that we can be truly and everlastingly thankful.
In the words of Paul, we give thanks to God always (for you) because of the grace of God which was given (you) in Jesus Christ. The Christian Thanksgiving----thanks that we can give and thanks to God for the gift of life.
A Prayer for Thanks-“giving”…God we give thanks to you for the person of Jesus Christ. May we receive this gift with faith and commitment. May we open our minds to the facts of his life and our hearts to the truth of his life.The truth that we who hear his word and believe in the One who sent him have eternal life, having then passed from death to life. This is our Thanks-“giving”.
A Thanksgiving Message; Dr. Ned D. Rodes MD November, 1960
May we all put the “giving” back in Thanksgiving as we celebrate that we can ALL give to each other of our time, talents and resources while being thankful to God for the gift of life.
Wishing you all a blessed Thanks-“giving”!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
“May we all put the “giving” back in Thanksgiving as we celebrate that we can ALL give to each other of our time, talents and resources while being thankful to God for the gift of life.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the Thanksgiving Holiday we are in the process of celebrating. We all certainly have reason to give thanks! I have many things to be thankful for, most importantly, the gift of life as well as the gifts of “encouragement” both given and received over the years. Thanksgiving is most certainly a day to be thankful, but often, we are not reminded for whom or what to be thankful...
Historically, many will be taught that the settlers who came to our shores from Europe (the Pilgrims) set aside a day to show gratefulness to the "Indians" who showed them how to plant corn. Unfortunately, that misses the mark by a mile!
The story of the Pilgrims is a complicated one. Let me begin with just a few of the basics. Being a “history guy”, I enjoy sharing them.
The Pilgrims were a group of Separatists who broke away from the Church of England in an effort to return to a more biblically based way of life. On September 16, 1620, 102 passengers boarded the Mayflower with the hope of finding religious freedom and a better way of life.
The 65-day voyage across the storm-tossed Atlantic was itself very dangerous for the Pilgrims. Nevertheless, feeling God's calling, they pressed forward, and sighted Cape Cod on November 19th 1620. Hundreds of miles north of their original destination of Virginia, the Mayflower dropped anchor at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts, on November 21. In December, they made their way across the bay to settle at Plymouth. As they looked out at the gray, windswept coast on that cold November day, many of the Pilgrims must have wondered if it really was God's will for them to relocate to this desolate land. Little did they know that the true test of their resolve was yet to come.
That first harsh winter was devastating to the men, women, and children who had already traveled far and sacrificed so much. Poor nutrition, inadequate housing, and the unforgiving winter took their toll. Many died. The new year brought more of the same. By the time spring descended on the North Atlantic coast, nearly half of the original group was gone.
Christopher Jones, the captain of the Mayflower, anchored his ship in the harbor throughout the winter. He felt so sorry for the settlers that he allowed many from the colony to take refuge in the hull of his ship since shelter was scarce and the winter was so fierce. Finally, on April 5, 1621, he decided that he'd had enough, and resolved to return home.
Not one of those remaining settlers left with Captain Jones when he set sail that day. Each one of them felt the call of God deep within his or her heart, and as a group, they refused to go back. Undoubtedly, they were afraid, and they probably didn't have a lot of optimism about the uncertain future lying before them.
What an amazing display of faith and resolve in the face of adversity! Without a doubt, it was the Pilgrims' reliance on the Lord that carried them through that incredibly difficult time. God used the gritty determination and the spiritual leadership of men such as John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, and William Brewster—some of our earliest national heroes—to create a firm foundation on which our country would be built.
The faith that motivated those first settlers is best described in their own words. William Bradford, one of the original leaders who would go on to serve as governor of Plymouth Colony for more than 30 years, wrote a firsthand account of the Pilgrims' journey, when he wrote:
"But these things did not dismay them (though they did sometimes
trouble them) for their desires were set on the ways of God, and to enjoy His ordinances; but they rested on His providence, and knew whom they had believed."
Looking back on these traumatic events, it's hard to believe that they laid the foundation for the holiday that we now know as Thanksgiving!
Despite the trials and difficulties that our forebears endured, the Pilgrims did indeed hold a feast of thanksgiving to praise God after their first harvest in 1621.The Native Americans joined them in this gathering of goodwill, as one of their own, Squanto, had been instrumental in teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn, and in showing them where to fish and trap beaver.
The Apostle Paul shared some thoughts in Philippians that I'm sure were an inspiration to the Pilgrims in their plight, and I often think those words were also intended for our encouragement. They read:
“. . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
Perhaps that should be the theme of our Thanksgiving remembrance as we bow our heads in humble gratitude for this great land and its Creator. Never in the history of the world has a nation been so blessed as we. As we gather with our families, we need to remind each other about the sacrifices made by the Pilgrims who helped pass along the freedoms we enjoy today. And may we be eternally grateful for the men and women who shed their blood on battlefields and on ships far from home that we might conquer tyrants and dictators who would have enslaved us. We must never forget what they handed down to our generation and those yet to come. Their faith has been a model for us all!
Perhaps a Thanksgiving message that was recently shared with me by a good friend, which was written back in 1960 by her father, speaks to the importance of yet another reason to celebrate what is often lost in the “Holiday shuffle.” It is a message from the heart that is timeless and encouraging. It reads:
Three days ago most of us remembered to give thanks. Historically (1621) and religiously a service of gratitude for the good things received. And we, in a way that is becoming mechanical, expressed our gratitude for the good things we have received. And how many of us stopped to think of the good things we could give?
Pilgrims gave up home, security, jobs and lives. This caused me to stop and think that Thanksgiving is two words.We have little difficulty remembering the Thanks, but we substitute “getting” for “giving”, and instead of Thanksgiving we celebrate a “Thanks getting”.
We are thankful for the many blessings we have received, yet one of the richest blessings for which we might be thankful is the blessing of having something to give. The blessing of having something to give.
What are some of the things we give thanks for? We customarily think of giving thanks for our prosperity, national and personal. Yet, this is by no means shared by all; those who have it at this moment are not certain of possessing it in the next moment.
Our farmers give thanks for a good crop year and we should, for without the cycle of seedtime and harvest, life would cease to exist after a few short years. But good growing seasons do not happen every year, nor everywhere. So this blessing is not one that everyone receives all the time.
Our health---a blessing to be sure but certainly not a blessing in which we all share. Those of us whose ministry is medicine know that there are many families who at some Thanksgiving season will not be able to give thanks for health because sickness and disease are an ever present threat.
There is however the blessing that we all possess at all times and that is the blessing of being able to give. What can we give?
In the stewardship season we think of gifts of money and we should. To those whom God has prospered far, far beyond our necessities, comes the opportunity of giving some of our money so that others less fortunate might meet their necessities. Talents---not all have the great talents of our few great men and women. The world is too small for a great many people with great talents. But we all have some small talents and it is the giving of these many small talents that make our world a better world, Columbia a better town, Trinity Presbyterian a better church.
Time---the one gift we all have in equal amount. Not all have equal money, not all have equal talent, but all have the same number of hours in our day, 24. And 168 hours a week. Yet what are we most reluctant to give up? We will give of money, we will share our talents, but our time is “well (we say) my time is my own.” Is it? Of course not, then why not share this greatest gift we have and give others our time?
So these three things we can give and for this we can be thankful. We can see Thanksgiving not as a time of thanks for what we get, but time to think of what we can give.
Finally I would like to mention that there is something permanent we can and should give thanks for.
It is not like prosperity because that shifts like sand…It’s not like a bountiful harvest because that swings from feast to famine… It’s not like health because sooner or later the ills of man beset us all…
What is this then for which we can always be thankful?It is a person, given to us by God. It is a gift. Just as our greatest blessing is what WE can give, our greatest gift is the person of Jesus of Nazareth. What does he give us?
Not wealth. The Christian has no guarantee of prosperity. Jesus appealed to the poor. And often wealth is a stumbling block---eye of a needle, rich young ruler. Not health. Christians sicken and suffer just like their pagan brothers… in Job, rain falls on just and unjust.
What does he give us? “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”The promise is that we would not just exist but really live and live abundantly…to be vitally alive, not because of good things we happen to have--- prosperity or health, but in spite of adversity, poverty, and sickness. Eternally alive”- John 5:24
This is God’s Promise, and all because 2000 years ago this man was willing to give and give of himself so that we might live. It is because of this person and because of this promise that we can be truly and everlastingly thankful.
In the words of Paul, we give thanks to God always (for you) because of the grace of God which was given (you) in Jesus Christ. The Christian Thanksgiving----thanks that we can give and thanks to God for the gift of life.
A Prayer for Thanks-“giving”…God we give thanks to you for the person of Jesus Christ. May we receive this gift with faith and commitment. May we open our minds to the facts of his life and our hearts to the truth of his life.The truth that we who hear his word and believe in the One who sent him have eternal life, having then passed from death to life. This is our Thanks-“giving”.
A Thanksgiving Message; Dr. Ned D. Rodes MD November, 1960
May we all put the “giving” back in Thanksgiving as we celebrate that we can ALL give to each other of our time, talents and resources while being thankful to God for the gift of life.
Wishing you all a blessed Thanks-“giving”!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
November 4, 2018
Reflections from the Home Team, November 4, 2018 ...
Reflections from the Home Team, November 4, 2018
“ Lord, Your ways aren’t always our ways. It sounds so simple, but I so often need help in letting those words sink in… Rather than blame God when things go wrong as is so easy to do, I need to remember He is always right there beside me as I crawl through the fires of life’s challenges.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I wanted to take some time to provide an update regarding the past few weeks of my journey… As I shared earlier, I was scheduled for surgery back in mid October to deal with some issues that have been troubling me for sometime resulting from my original treatments for cancer. The surgery was successful in helping correct the problems and I’m very thankful for a skilled surgeon who is a caring and supportive person. The positive news is that the biopsy tissue samples taken tested negative and I’m so very thankful for that! I had a few complications following the surgery, which landed me in the ER a couple of times, but I’m continuing to heal and managing the pain as I recover.
A thought that continued to go through my head before and after the surgery was a comment one of my college coaches always used to ask whenever we were “hurting”… It went like this; “Welter, is it pain or injury? If it’s pain, can you play through it? If it’s injury, let’s get it fixed!” If I were to reply to him after the past few weeks, I’d have to say “coach this was some of both!!” I have had the “Injury” fixed and I’m now focused on playing through the pain. That brings me to this reflection regarding disappointment, pain and suffering, something we all go through at some time in varying degrees with the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges that come our way.
Let me begin with disappointment…
The past few weeks I’ve been thinking back to an experience I had in a conversation in Iowa City with an inmate who was in Iowa City for treatment of terminal liver cancer. As we both waited for our chemo treatments, I had just had a conversation with a young mother who was sitting beside us who had recently had both legs amputated due to cancer. She was so very upbeat despite her circumstances and I asked her how that could be… She shared; ”Just look around me, I have three beautiful children, a loving husband and a God who loves and cares for us always.” As I struck up a conversation with the inmate, he shared no one had really ever cared about him. He acknowledged that he had abused his family and friends to help support his drug and alcohol habits, which had gotten him to this point in his life. I shared there really is someone who cares, you just have to open the right book… He responded “I’m not really riding the God train right now.” His voice was rough, his words raw, harsh and angry. But anger wasn’t what I saw in his eyes. It was disappointment; disappointment with a God he’d felt had let him down.
It’s easy to blame God when life goes wrong. He can do anything. Stop anything. Change anything. But sometimes He doesn’t. People have free will. The world is full of death and disease and sin. Bad things happen to good people—even good Christian people.
I’ll be honest. If I were given the choice, I’d choose to live in a bubble where I’m safe and happy and whole at all times. Too bad that’s not ever been my reality. But maybe it wasn’t supposed to be. God never promised I’d get what I want, that my days would be easy, that just because I chose to follow Him I wouldn’t suffer, or that He’d let me skip the bad parts of life. And that’s where disappointment comes in; hitting the hardest when I confuse what I think God owes me with what He actually told me. He said I should give thanks. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you.”
Given the past few weeks, I haven’t had as much time to read as much as I would have liked. Reading usually helps bring me peace during challenging times. The day following my surgery, Fr. Richard Rohr (Daily Meditations for Action and Contemplation) had some wonderful and timely thoughts that I felt were written specifically for me and have helped me process my situation over the past few weeks.
He shared that people who have suffered in some way can usually understand and relate to others who are experiencing similar struggles...They have the space and the capacity for compassion and understanding for others who may be struggling. Deep understanding and compassion are formed much more by shared pain than by shared pleasure. I’ve felt that understanding and compassion from many of you over the past number of years, and in particular the past few weeks while being surrounded with your prayers. What a blessing to experience that “Home Team” support as those life challenges have come my way.
Fr. Rohr focused his remarks on Luke 22:31-32.
Jesus told Peter, “You must be ground like wheat, and once you have recovered, then you can turn and help the brothers”.
Peter, like all of us, did not realize that pain and suffering can have power over us only when our faith fails. Jesus prays for us and waits to restore us so that we can learn from our suffering and pain so that in turn we can use those experiences to strengthen others who may be facing similar situations. Christ continues to intercede for us, always!
Exactly how I’ve felt the past few weeks! I can relate to the visual of being “ground like wheat”. Those ER visits certainly brought that to mind.
Fr. Rohr goes on to write:
“The cross, rightly understood, always reveals various kinds of
resurrection. It’s as if God were holding up the crucifixion as a cosmic object lesson, saying: “I know this is what you’re experiencing. Don’t run from it. Learn from it, as I did. Hang there for a while, as I did. It will be your teacher. Rather than losing life, you will be gaining a larger life. It is the way through.”
When I can see and accept my suffering as a common participation with Jesus, and literally all of humanity, I find peace feeling “whole in Him” while learning from each experience in my life and in turn reflecting it toward others. I fully admit this is often hard to do when we are still in the midst of our suffering, and we just want to be delivered from it. God’s peace in the middle of my trials these past few weeks have helped me keep my sanity! I’m hoping and praying I can keep my focus on Him as I deal with whatever the future holds for me.
I’ll close this reflection with some wisdom from author James Finley that rings true to me as I continue my life’s journey. He writes:
“Although it is true that there is no refuge from suffering; it’s also true that suffering has no refuge from love that permeates it through and through and through and through and through. Love protects us from nothing, even as it unexplainably sustains us in all things. God’s love protects us from nothing, and sustains us in everything.” — James Finley
Knowing that God’s love is sustaining and guiding us in unexplainable ways can bring us peace in the midst of any challenge we may face, just as it did for the young mother in Iowa City in the midst of her painful trials. My most recent experience has helped remind me of the verse “Lord, Your ways aren’t always our ways.” It sounds so simple, but I so often need help in letting those words sink in… Rather than blame God when things go wrong as is so easy to do, I need to remember He is always right there beside me as I crawl through the fires of life’s challenges. May each of you experience that peace as you face any of life’s disappointments, suffering and pain that may come your way.
Blessings your way!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
October 7, 2018
Reflections from the Home Team – October 7, 2018 “I n...
Reflections from the Home Team – October 7, 2018
“I need to continually remind myself that in our waiting, God is working and that I should never place a period in my life where God may have placed a comma!”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
As I shared back in late August, I have been having some concerns with some ongoing “pesky” issues and have undergone a number of medical tests over the past month in order to determine the cause and find a solution. My medical team feels those issues can be addressed by scheduling some surgeries in the next few weeks to resolve them. The tough part as I reflect on the past few months is that I often get stuck in what I refer to as the “waiting place”.
Waiting... I've never really been a fan. Those of you that may know me would probably acknowledge that waiting is difficult for me. When a task needs to be done, I’m generally on it, trying my best to complete it well in a timely manner. The past few years however, I feel like I have earned a PhD in the “art of waiting”. Waiting for the results of lab work, waiting for test results that could mean cancer or mean nothing, waiting for cancer side effect treatments to take hold, waiting for a change in life... Once again, I have been in the waiting place with some of the recent issues I’ve been experiencing from treatments.
I find myself there often, in a waiting place. The place where I know God is sovereign. I know He holds my life in His hands. I know He is there. I know He cares. I know that even the very hairs on my head are numbered, (fewer each day) as are my days. As I recall the physical pain of my cancer treatment regimen, it reminds me that today could be the first day of yet another painful journey. But I don't know yet. I am stuck there… in-between.
It's the not knowing that twists through my gut... (no pun intended)… It's the not being able to move forward. Not being able to move back. Trust is harder in the “waiting place”.
I actually hate waiting...
When feeling stuck in the waiting place, our culture tends to tell us "Get out of that rut! Life's too short. Stop the excuses. Do something." You'll be told to smile more, care less, be happy, and think good thoughts. Good advice, but sometimes, change is outside our control. Sometimes we're not in charge. Sometimes we're just stuck. I need to continually remind myself that if I’m in a “waiting place” I must remember I am not alone. God, as well as my “Home Team” are ALWAYS right there with me. I need to continually remind myself that in our waiting, God is working and that I should never place a period in my life where God may have placed a comma!
I’d like to share a recent post from one of my favorite authors, Jon Gordon. He seems to always come through with a timely message for me as his writing has so often helped me get through many of the challenges I’ve experienced on my life journey. His post came at a time when I’ve been struggling with some similar stomach pain issues and it sets the stage for this reflection. It reads:
EVERYONE IS STRUGGLINGWITH SOMETHING
I want to share something personal with you.
With my most recent best selling book and amazing speaking opportunities, I'm currently experiencing the greatest moments of my professional life. Yet at the same time I'm dealing with autoimmune issues that have made me allergic to most foods (at least the foods I once enjoyed eating).
On the outside my life and career look amazing. On the inside I’m struggling and trying to find a solution seeing doctors, allergists, etc. I should be enjoying the fruit of all I have worked so hard for over the years but I can’t seem to eat that fruit... or enjoy it.
While the challenge doesn't stop me from doing the work I feel called to do... it does keep me humble. If you see me live or on video speaking to a lot of people just know that beforehand I'm praying for strength and usually eating food from a can. I can't eat eggs, dairy, meat, chicken, gluten, peppers, tomatoes, nuts, etc. I may be at one of the nicest resorts to speak but can't touch the food.
I'm not sharing this to complain.
There are certainly days where I am tired and frustrated but for the most part I’ve accepted what is. I choose to stay positive and pray for healing. I press forward and have hope that I’ll eventually find the solution. I've been using some time off this summer to research and do things that heal my gut and boost my immune system as well.
My main point in sharing this with you is this...
Everyone is struggling with something.
When we look at someone's life from the outside or on social media, what we see is often very different from what the reality is. I just wanted to be transparent and share what my life is really like behind my "perfect life" on social media.
If you are struggling with something please know that you are not alone.When people learn of my allergies they usually feel bad for me but the truth is, my life is a gift and I'm grateful for every part of it. Sure, I wish there were parts I could change but I've learned that real happiness and joy aren’t circumstantial. While I might not be able to control my circumstances, I can control my response to them.
The struggle is meant to help us grow.
When I ask myself if I would trade my life and what I get to do for the ability to eat pizza, eggs and fried chicken again... the answer is no. I know I'm here to make a difference and that my purpose is greater than my challenges.
The same goes for you.
Don't give up.
- Jon
P.S., I do hope that one day I can eat pizza again while making a difference. :)
Jon’s message came at a time when the thoughts and challenges he shared have also been racing thru my mind… My frustrations with the stomach pains I’ve recently experienced have been very frustrating. His encouraging comments in the midst of his personal struggle with autoimmune issues helped me realize the importance of being an encourager, no matter what our circumstance.
I have written a lot about optimism and positivity, and over the years I've learned it's easy to write about it, it's much harder to live it. People who are fighting cancer teach me what real optimism, faith and courage are all about. They demonstrate that we are positive, not because life is easy, but because it can be hard. They show me they are the ultimate “positive warriors” who take on the battle and fight for tomorrow. Encouragement really does matter.
I am so very grateful for the encouraging words that so often come from my “Home Team” dugout! Just reinforces for me the importance of encouragement in all our lives. To me, encouragement represents positive influence, to give courage to someone — not waiting until it's deserved or asked for, but taking the initiative when things are difficult and uncertain. The impact of encouragement can be far reaching and often makes a difference in all our lives. As much as encouraging words from others are so very helpful, a piece of advice I had from one of my College coaches has been especially helpful for me during the past few months. His advice was simple… “Learn to talk to yourself instead of listening to yourself.” May just be one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received! Think about the power in the simple act of talking to yourself instead of listening to yourself… When a setback occurs -- you have a poor performance -- you lose a game -- do you listen to the doubt and negative thoughts that can creep into your head? Or do you talk to yourself about how much better things are going to be the next time around? It has helped me to be aware of whether I am listening to myself, or talking to myself. It has made a key difference between allowing circumstances to dictate my feelings or, living my life the way I want regardless of any challenges that may come my way. Matthew 6:34 also provides me with some solid guidance as I head into the surgeries in the next few weeks -- Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Now there's a talking point!
As I reflect on these thoughts, it reminds me that we may potentially be the most influential person in someone else’s life . . . in the best position to support, pray for, believe in, and journey with him or her in all the ups and downs that may come their way. The gift of encouragement and positivity is within each of us right now… let’s be sure to use it when we have the opportunity!
Blessings,
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
August 31, 2018
Reflections from the Home Team August 31, 2018 “...
Reflections from the Home Team August 31, 2018
“In baseball there is no past and there is no future. There is just this pitch.” Ken Ravizza
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
I felt the desire to write today, as it has been a while since I’ve shared some thoughts with my Home Team. I have been having some concerns with several ongoing “pesky” issues over the past few months and my doctors have scheduled some tests in the next few weeks to try and determine the cause, and what may be a solution. I’m confident my medical team will help me get to the bottom of them and work for a solution, but it certainly sets the mind in motion! That brings me to this reflection.
I have often reminded myself to “live in the present” not letting my mind to get “stuck” in the past, while also not allowing it to wander into the future, trying to predict what the future may hold for me.
Living in the present is difficult for me because I often tend to live in the past or let my mind wander into the future. At times, I get stuck with memories, good and bad from the past, and waste precious time trying to renegotiate my history. On the other hand, I also look forward to the future, dreaming about how wonderful it may be, or about how I may be able to tackle its problems.
As my mind wanders, the importance of reminding myself to live in the moment becomes critical when dealing with the challenges that may arise as well as developing the persistence needed to overcome those challenges. Winston Churchill, one of my favorite characters in history had some great advice about persistence when faced with challenges! We all know that Churchill faced some difficult challenges in his life as a leader.
“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
-- Winston Churchill
You know, Churchill would have made a great baseball manager, because nowhere is failure more prevalent than on the baseball diamond. It’s a well-worn cliché, but hitters who fail seven out of 10 times in baseball are .300 hitters, which by baseball standards, is considered to be great.
Baseball is a daily sport with 162 games played in a 183-day span and the best of the best would consider 100 wins an amazing accomplishment. That means even those teams would lose 62 times. The key in baseball, as in life, is to be able to accept a failure and then move on to the next day, or next at-bat, or next pitch without being affected by what just happened.
The late Ken Ravizza, who was a pioneer in teaching mental skills in baseball, was fond of saying that “in baseball there is no past and there is no future. There is just this pitch.” By continually reminding ourselves that what just happened is over and what is yet to happen is out of our control, we can focus on the moment right in front of us, which will give us the best chance to be successful.
Not sure about you, but I have wondered at times what the future holds for me… Romans 8:28 has helped me with that.
“We are assured to know that (God, being a partner in our labor) all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose.”
It reminded me that in the busyness of life, some things, many things may be beyond me, but as I spend some time communicating with Him I can handle the next moment as it comes, and the next, and the next. Sometimes I find the most difficult thing for me is accepting what the future looks like to me based on the “predictions” I make for myself while taking into account my current circumstances. The “pains” that come and go are what tend to make my mind race to those predictions. The future however is one of those “secret things” beyond my control, and I need to release it to Him, the rightful Owner. If I do that, I’ll find the resources for today to be sufficient by remembering that the Lord is part of those resources and nothing is impossible with Him.
My cancer journey has been a journey with many ups and downs… Since being diagnosed, I have focused on renewing my mind, almost daily, when seeking healing, whether that be physical, emotional or spiritual healing. Given that, I wanted to share in this post some thoughts from my recent presentation at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference. I appreciated the opportunity to share with the folks who attended. It was a great conference, full of energy and optimism! My hope was to help provide some encouragement and positivity to those who may be facing challenges in their lives.
You can view my comments, if interested at the following link:https://vimeo.com/287286282/4741960cbc
As we move into fall, may each of your life journeys be filled with hope, optimism and plenty of encouragement for others!
Blessings your way!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so,
Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance
was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link: www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
July 11, 2018
&...
Reflections from the Home Team, July 11, 2018
Greetings from Cedar Falls!
I’m excited to share that I have been asked to speak/teach at this year’s Cedar Falls Bible Conference on Saturday, August 4, from 2:00-4:00 pm where I plan to do an interactive session on the importance of positivity and encouragement which I have been so fortunate to experience throughout my cancer journey. For me, it’s a return to teaching… something that I have treasured my entire life. I would like to invite you to be a part of my session on Saturday, August 4th. The Bible Conference is located at Riverview Park, 439 N. Division Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa. 50613. The Conference runs from July 28 through August 5th. It’s a wonderful conference and offers the opportunity for a great family experience.
My topics of teaching on Saturday, August 4thwill include:· How stories and a loving presence (both human and divine) can impact our lives...· Attitude, anxiety, trust, and controlling the controllable…· Be where your feet are…· Be ready because you may be the difference in someone’s life at any moment of the day!Each topic will include an encouraging attitude, a step to consider as well as a spiritual insight.
You can find out more about the Cedar Falls Bible Conference at the link below.
http://cedarfallsbibleconference.com/community/
Feel free to share and hope to see you there!
Thanks! Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated! Be an encourager in someone else’s life!
To learn more about being an encourager, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
June 16, 2018
Reflections from the Home Team –June 16, 2018 “I...
Reflections from the Home Team –June 16, 2018
“I’ve now, more than ever realized the importance of encouragement coming my way to help me through those difficult times. I am so very grateful for the encouraging words coming from my Home Team dugout! Just reinforces for me the importance of encouragement in all our lives.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls!
Summer has arrived, and of course, the baseball season is in full swing. I’ve enjoyed catching a number of games, looking for the next bright prospect out there! As I watch games, ranging from Youth League to High School, and on into College and the Professional ranks, I often see players of all stages going through a rough stretch -- they can’t seem to get the big hit, or make a big pitch when they need it. They might go a week without a hit or find themselves hitting .200 a month into the season…
As I’ve experienced a bit of a rough stretch the past couple of months dealing with some of those pesky side effects of treatments, I can relate to those players who may be experiencing some struggles on their own personal journeys. As I watch them, it made me think of a story from a book I read a few years ago called “The Sender” by Kevin Elko.
There was a boxer named Cyclone Hart. And he loses a fight to an Italian named Vito. At the end of the fight, they were both in the locker room and there was a curtain between them when Vito started talking to his trainer. Cyclone Hart could hear him as Vito said; “He kept on hitting me with that left in my ribs, and I thought to myself, if he hits me one more time with that left, I’m going to quit. But he never hit me again… I don’t know why, he just quit hitting me.”
Cyclone Hart on the other side of the curtain, started to cry… and he quietly said to his trainer, “I didn’t think my left was getting there.”
Those who ultimately find success when faced with life’s challenges stick to their plan and don’t allow discouragement to creep into their heads. They immerse themselves in their process. And they keep punching. Every. Single. Day.
As some of those side effect pains have crept back into my world the past couple of months.... I need to remind myself to keep punching and not get caught up in the discouragement of it all. It’s important to keep punching because the next one you throw may end up being the one that turns the tide in your favor and wins you the fight!!
As I work on dealing with the “punches” that have come my way the past couple months, I’ve also been thinking back to the encouragement I needed to get over a rough spot or two along the way. I have most always tried my best to be an encourager for others… and the past couple of months, as I’ve struggled with some of the ongoing side effects of treatments, I’ve now, more than ever realized the importance of encouragement coming my way to help me through those difficult times. I am so very grateful for the encouraging words that so often come from my Home Team dugout! Just reinforces for me the importance of encouragement in all our lives.
To me, encouragement represents positive influence, to give courage to someone — not waiting until it's deserved or asked for, but taking the initiative when things are difficult and uncertain. There are probably many synonyms that could used for encouragement… to give support, confidence or hope to another; to hearten, cheer, uplift, inspire, motivate, vitalize, embolden, or rally. The impact of encouragement can be far reaching and often makes a difference in all our lives. Even neuroscience gives credence to this dynamic... Criticism and negativity release harmful stress hormones, inhibit concentration, diminish the brain's executive functioning, and tend to create knee-jerk reactions vs. calm and rational thinking... (trying my best to avoid that mindset whenever possible).
I recently read about a wonderful example of a life fully lived under the “principle of encouragement”. His name was Barnabas, and I took away a few important lessons from his story in the Bible. Here are a few thoughts I feel are worth considering...
The first thing about an encourager is that he or she needs to be “practical”…
Barnabas arrived on the scene as just a regular "Joe" (Joseph, a Levite), but his nature was so uplifting and encouraging that the Apostles changed his name to fit his character—Bar (the Son of) Encouragement. He sold some land and laid the money at the Apostle's feet. Here were the leaders of the first century church who were trying to take care of widows and orphans, and what they needed at the time were financial resources—so practical in the moment.
While attending to someone spiritually is appropriate and helpful, we shouldn't neglect looking for ways to encourage the people we care about on practical levels as well. Sometimes we all need a simple hug, an act of service, a helping hand, or an arm around the shoulder that says, "I love and care about you." It’s a good reminder to allow our encouragement to be practical.
An encourager is a “risk taker”…
Barnabas also stood up for Saul when no one else believed in his conversion and everyone was still afraid of him. He took a risk when others wanted to reject Saul for his behavior. We need to have the ability to look past brokenness and pain, and still see God at work in the midst of any situation. Loving and caring for someone can be risky and often requires us to move beyond our comfort zones... I’ve often felt we can encourage those we care about by sharing our vulnerability with them... it seems risky, but it’s the open and honest sharing of oneself that is encouraging.
An encourager is “others-centered”…
Shortly after arriving in Antioch, Barnabas turned his thoughts toward his good friend, Saul. He knew he had to share this blessing and not be consumed with his own sense of self-importance. Inviting others into our journey underscores the reality that God created us in relationship and for relationship. He never intended for us to be alone and take a “solo flight” through life... When tough times come our way that is so easy to do!! We all need to grow in the practice of "relational gift-giving”. By encouraging others to make this moment, this hour, this day, a celebration of who they are, we can help deliver that important relational gift.
An encourager is “available”…
We often need to understand that more can depend on a person's availability versus his or her ability. Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am . . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!
As I finish my thoughts in this reflection, it reminds me that we may potentially be the most influential person in someone else’s life . . . in the best position to support, pray for, believe in, and journey with him or her in all the ups and downs that may come their way. The gift of encouragement is within each of us right now… let’s be sure to use it when we have the opportunity!
Just wanted to share my appreciation for the encouragement each of you have shared with me on my journey... It’s such a joy to have you sitting beside me in my Home Team Dugout!! I’m so very grateful for your encouragement in my life and I’m hopeful I can offer you the same in return.
Many blessings your way!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue?Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am. . . for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!Be an encourager in someone else’s life!To learn more about being an encourager, visit the Reflections from the Home Team Website at: www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
