Can anybody possibly live a perfect life? Every Christian knows the answer is no. But in Psalm 26 David seems to say that’s exactly what he’s doing. How can that be? Certainly, he knows better than to believe that.
Week four of radiation treatment for prostate cancer begins in a few hours. Last week I wrote about time to give thanks. About prayers to God. When God answers our prayers, we do give thanks. Don’t we? But do we always recognize when and how He answers our requests?
Christians should be careful about being people pleasers. Really? Aren’t we supposed to be loving? Do things like meet people where they are? Accept everyone for who they are? Get along with everyone? All that good stuff? Well, let me answer that with a question. Was Jesus a people pleaser?
It’s OK to talk to someone who has cancer. We don’t cease to be people just because we have cancer. Life does continue. We are still the same people.
Yesterday, I began the third week of my radiation treatment for prostate cancer. As I was laying in the tomography machine, the 23rd Psalm began to go through my mind. It was very comforting. Peaceful. Reassuring. And yes, that is the Psalm with the valley of the shadow of death. The Psalm that reminds us of what we have to be thankful for.
My first side effect from radiation isn’t really that bad. But it is annoying. The treatment Radiation treatment conflicts with my favorite foods. For now. It’s only temporary.
Do short-sighted Christians make you want to avoid church? Not short-sighted as in eye problems. Short-sighted as an not thinking out of the box. Far enough into the future. Beyond the walls of their own church. Things like that.
Forgiving the 50 and the 500. A very short parable. About forgiveness and love. Two verses. But it’s embedded in an actual event. It must be very important. This parable ended with a question from Jesus to a Pharisee named Simon. (Not Simon Peter, the disciple.) Jesus told Simon, “You have judged correctly”. Jesus told the woman who was the “target” in the event, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Yes, it seems we can learn much from the parable of Forgiving the 50 and the 500.
The story below is totally fictional. Maybe. Nothing even remotely like this could ever happen. No one would ever agree to this. I don’t think. It’s based on a true story. Although that last statement can’t be proven, I believe it’s true. It’s almost beyond belief. And yet…
My second week of radiation treatment begins in half an hour. One down – seven more to go. Or, more specifically, 4 down and 34 to go. And that gives a bit of a clue as to what “have to stay positive” is about. But only a clue. There’s more to it.
God and me - this life and the next 