Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Post Gazette]

The 18-year-old kid dying of cancer gets his wish, a chance to swing a bat maybe one last time in a real baseball game. He hasn’t played in a few years, but he’s called on to pinch-hit. His eyes light up at the first pitch and he puts all of his 5-foot-5, 93-pound frame into one mighty swing, making contact and sending a line drive into right field for a single — if he can reach first base. The cancer he’s been battling for almost two years has spread to his pelvis, making running nearly impossible.

The kid worries about falling as he hustles down the first-base line. When he gets to the base, he lets out with a yell. “I did it! I did it!”

Safe at first with a hit and an RBI, the kid is hugged by a crying first-base coach. The opposing pitcher takes off his glove, starts applauding and his teammates follow suit. The kid’s teammates run onto the field to celebrate. It sounds like the climax to a heart-tugger movie. But there was no producer or film crew at the game between Freedom and Aliquippa high schools two weeks ago. The scene was as real as the tumors in John Challis’ liver and lungs.

John is a kid with cancer, a senior at Freedom in Beaver County who was told a few weeks ago by doctors that cancer was winning and it was close to the end. The disease that started in his liver was now taking over his lungs.

“They said it could be only two months,” he said, fighting back tears.

He paused before his seemingly never-ending optimism came through again.

“I told my mom I still think I can get two more years.”

But his story isn’t about dying. It’s about inspiring.

“I used to be afraid, but I’m not afraid of dying now, if that’s what you want to know,” he said. “Because life ain’t about how many breaths you take. It’s what you do with those breaths.”

“Sometimes I cry, but people cry for all different kinds of reasons,” he said. “Sometimes I just want to know why, but I think I figured that out. God wanted me to get sick because he knew I was strong enough to handle it. I’m spreading His word and my message. By doing that, I’m doing what God put me here to do.

Read about it here.

[From me]

Wow!  Puts life into perspective.  BTW, thats not tears, my allergies are bothering me!

Yesterday I received my Seasons Magazine from my alma mater Samford University.  It is a well produced publication that is sent to Samford Alumni.  I read it every time I get it to see what changes my friends have made and to keep up with my old school.  Samford is one of the prettiest campuses anywhere.

At the end of every publication they have a section to remember those who have passed away.  My heart sunk as I read the list.  One of those who recently passed away was one of my fraternity brothers.  He was 2 years older than me and was a tremendous athlete.  He stayed on and earned his law degree from Samford’s Cumberland Law School.   He was always kind to me and man he was taller than me.  (He played basketball at Samford for 1 year).

After reading about his passing I was struck by how fragile life can be.  None of us are promised another day.  I’ve seen death in person on more occasions that I would like to admit.  I was involved in a life changing experience a few years ago when a man committed suicide on my car.  We are not guaranteed anything in this life.  I’m now at the age where I’m going to see people I know die, not just from accidents but because of our age.  It is kind of scary.   I was heartbroken to read about Debbie Kaufman’s loss last week.  No one is promised anything in this life.  Sobering!

I can’t imagine living without the strength of Jesus Christ.  Even though I know that I could die today, I know that I will spend eternity with God in heaven.  Life is fragile but God is secure. Life is valuable and I want to see everyone have the hope that I have.

What do you think?

Proverbs 6:16-17

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:

17 ……………
hands that shed innocent blood

Now to refresh why we are talking about these sins is because there are accusations (some are justified) that Christians only focus on a few sins. The truth is we shouldn’t dwell on any sins but our focus should be on Jesus. But for argument’s sake I thought we could look at The Big 7 that the Lord hates!

The word for shed or pour out is “shaphak” which means to pour out, shed, or spill. It is a verb that describes pouring out or shedding in anger. The word for hand is “yad” and innocent is the adjective “naqiy” and means clean, free from, exempt, clear, or innocent.

Now I would think that any rational person would agree that killing is wrong.  But what is amazing to me is how we’ve become a society that really doesn’t value life anymore.  Abortion is legal in much of the world.  There is genocide in parts of the world and their are innocent people who die because sometimes we just don’t care.

But Jesus took it even further in Matthew 5:22:

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

So, I think it comes down to this.  God values life so we should too.  We can hurt people with physical force and with our words and thoughts.

Jesus said in John 10:10:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

So lets live life to the fullest and love people and value life!

What do you think?

This morning I drove across town to meet with Derek Turner, the pastor of the Branch Church.  I had never met Derek but he started reading and commenting on my blog and I began to read his.  When I realized he was just across town I said we need to get together.  As it turns out their church offices and school are right next to the Starbucks that I used to meet my coach in the University area of Charlotte.  I remember seeing him at Starbucks a few months back.
He is a gracious pastor and showed me the school that they operate.  We talked over a coffee and I felt like we had know each other for years.  His story is a testimony of God’s power, grace and forgiveness.  Derek married Kenneth Copeland’s niece Nikki and was working for KCM Ministries in Vancouver, British Columbia.  They were in Ft. Worth, TX for some business when a drunk driver hit the van they were in.  In an instant Derek’s life was radically changed.  His wife was killed and she was pregnant with their daughter.

Derek shared with me how God gave him the strength to not only forgive but move on.  God has given him a wonderful wife, Sarah and two daughters since that tragic event. He is also pastoring a dynamic, kingdom minded, giving church.  Derek is a great guy and I recommend getting to know him via his blog.  Pretty cool to see two believers enjoying one another based on what we have in common in Christ versus any theological difference we may share.  I look forward to getting to know Derek better in the future.

Derek, thanks for the coffee and the fellowship!