It's been a while since I last blogged. I've had a rough season recovering from the medications I took and merged our church with another church in Fishers. Both things have been harder than I expected. I've been done with treatments since May but have experienced some depression and anxiety. Hard to blog about those things when you're struggling with your faith and hope.
Today I was reading in Psalm 80 where it says, the Lord God Almighty restores us, makes his face shine on us that we will be saved. When i exercised this morning the sun was shining thru the window on me, as i finished the son had moved so it wasn't shining through the window anymore, when i went to a different room it was shining through again. I was struck by how God's Son Jesus is always moving in our life doing something new so we have to be willing to move and join him where he is at work so we can experience his light shining on our life and in turn extend that to others.
As I was reading the Bible I received a phone call from the dermatologist that a mole I had removed last week on my leg came back negative for cancer. I'm thankful for how God has spared my life and is watching over me so others can see how GREAT God is and put their faith in him. God reminded me today that just because something is hard doesn't mean his favor isn't on your life. I was also reminded that sharing the way God is working in our life is what redeems our struggles and uses them for good in other's lives.
Today is also Luke's 10th birthday! Wow hard to believe our youngest is double digits. It was so great to see how excited he was!
Thank you for all your prayers! I prayed for you today that God would encourage you as you read.
Have a great day!
Fred
Go Bucks!!!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
6mths & ALL CLEAR!!!
Friends
6mths ago this week i got the call that i had cancer! Yesterday my doctor said my CT Scan was all clear & my blood levels are perfect! He was amazed at how well i look and am doing! God has been VERY GOOD to me & my family!
I still give myself a shot every week for the rest of the year & i have to take a few naps during the week, but my energy levels are strong. I told Dyan i'm probably at normal levels for most people now! I'm working out (crossfit.com) 5 days a week & playing ball again! I did overdue it the 1st month back & threw my back out, but i recovered in 1wk!
Our church is doing a 21day prayer & fasting challenge right now. We are eating each day, just limiting things! :) The daily scripture reading for yesterday was Numbers 28 & 29, usually this book of the Bible is hard to relate to with all the animal sacrifices God made the people do before Jesus paid the final price for us on the cross. But these two chapters were about regular offerings God wanted his people to do. They were called food offerings, God appointed the times to follow & if we follow them then our lives make a pleasing aroma to God.
God had daily, weekly, monthly & annual times where he instructed his people to rest from work, come together & give their BEST to God (financially, serving others & relationally). These rhythms of life are key to helping us stay strong in our faith & work & relationships. The seasonal breaks we take are routed in the Bible friends, they are God's way of taking care of us, showing us he will provide while we break from work, they help us keep perspective on life & relationships.
Work thru the thots below & let God fill you with his strength!
Thx for all your prayers, God answered ALL of them!
F
Are you practicing healthy rhythms daily, weekly, monthly & annually? What smell is your life putting off to God & others?
Here are some guidelines to help:
1. Daily pray (thank God, ask for help & read scripture)
2. 1 day a week DON'T WORK, including housework (play)
3. Monthly take a day off & reflect on your life
4. Yearly take a few week long vacations
There were different types of offerings:
1. Burnt - represents how God burns away our sin to cleanse our heart
2. Grain - represents how God provides for our needs
3. Drink - represents how God covers over our lives to protect us thru JX death on cross, his blood shed for us gives us power over death & enables us to be filled with God's Holy Spirit to lead us strong.
4. Fellowship - represents how God desires for us to be in healthy relationship with others, forgiving & receiving from one another for support
5. Vow - commitments we make to God that we are to keep (tithing, integrity, regular service)
6. Freewill - from time to time we feel led to give more, do something special
6mths ago this week i got the call that i had cancer! Yesterday my doctor said my CT Scan was all clear & my blood levels are perfect! He was amazed at how well i look and am doing! God has been VERY GOOD to me & my family!
I still give myself a shot every week for the rest of the year & i have to take a few naps during the week, but my energy levels are strong. I told Dyan i'm probably at normal levels for most people now! I'm working out (crossfit.com) 5 days a week & playing ball again! I did overdue it the 1st month back & threw my back out, but i recovered in 1wk!
Our church is doing a 21day prayer & fasting challenge right now. We are eating each day, just limiting things! :) The daily scripture reading for yesterday was Numbers 28 & 29, usually this book of the Bible is hard to relate to with all the animal sacrifices God made the people do before Jesus paid the final price for us on the cross. But these two chapters were about regular offerings God wanted his people to do. They were called food offerings, God appointed the times to follow & if we follow them then our lives make a pleasing aroma to God.
God had daily, weekly, monthly & annual times where he instructed his people to rest from work, come together & give their BEST to God (financially, serving others & relationally). These rhythms of life are key to helping us stay strong in our faith & work & relationships. The seasonal breaks we take are routed in the Bible friends, they are God's way of taking care of us, showing us he will provide while we break from work, they help us keep perspective on life & relationships.
Work thru the thots below & let God fill you with his strength!
Thx for all your prayers, God answered ALL of them!
F
Are you practicing healthy rhythms daily, weekly, monthly & annually? What smell is your life putting off to God & others?
Here are some guidelines to help:
1. Daily pray (thank God, ask for help & read scripture)
2. 1 day a week DON'T WORK, including housework (play)
3. Monthly take a day off & reflect on your life
4. Yearly take a few week long vacations
There were different types of offerings:
1. Burnt - represents how God burns away our sin to cleanse our heart
2. Grain - represents how God provides for our needs
3. Drink - represents how God covers over our lives to protect us thru JX death on cross, his blood shed for us gives us power over death & enables us to be filled with God's Holy Spirit to lead us strong.
4. Fellowship - represents how God desires for us to be in healthy relationship with others, forgiving & receiving from one another for support
5. Vow - commitments we make to God that we are to keep (tithing, integrity, regular service)
6. Freewill - from time to time we feel led to give more, do something special
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Lovin my life!
Friends
It's been a few weeks since my last post because i'm lovin life! My 1/2 dose shots are going well, i have more energy, i've been working out with some guys every day & playing Bball again! Not to mention life with 3 kids & Valentines with my hot wife! I'm so thankful for how God is renewing my body & spirit!
I also know that all of your prayers are making a HUGE difference! There is something special about coming together to seek God's help, it's one of the things that stirs God's heart to act on our behalf! Sometimes we want to shrink back in our business & insecurities, but when we push thru & reach out to people God opens up new possibilities in our lives.
One piece of advice Jesus gives in Luke 10 is to seek out people of peace. If people don't receive what you share or show support then don't try to push or convince them. Shake off rejection fast & move on, so you can remain at peace. Nobody likes to be around someone who thinks the world is out to get them & complains all the time. Choose to be a life giver, not a drainer! Spend time with those who inspire you & you'll be an inspiration to others!
Lovin life! Love yours!
F
It's been a few weeks since my last post because i'm lovin life! My 1/2 dose shots are going well, i have more energy, i've been working out with some guys every day & playing Bball again! Not to mention life with 3 kids & Valentines with my hot wife! I'm so thankful for how God is renewing my body & spirit!
I also know that all of your prayers are making a HUGE difference! There is something special about coming together to seek God's help, it's one of the things that stirs God's heart to act on our behalf! Sometimes we want to shrink back in our business & insecurities, but when we push thru & reach out to people God opens up new possibilities in our lives.
One piece of advice Jesus gives in Luke 10 is to seek out people of peace. If people don't receive what you share or show support then don't try to push or convince them. Shake off rejection fast & move on, so you can remain at peace. Nobody likes to be around someone who thinks the world is out to get them & complains all the time. Choose to be a life giver, not a drainer! Spend time with those who inspire you & you'll be an inspiration to others!
Lovin life! Love yours!
F
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Playing Ball!
Friends
Monday i began my low dose shots, i found out that i will still need to take some meds for nausea & headaches. But i was able to play ball later that night, i didn't have any legs, was way out of shape & had no lift on my shot, guys were able to burn me on defense pretty easily, but i made it an hour & had fun! My back is pretty sore. Good start!
I hope to get back in the gym lifting next week! I still have to push myself to exercise since i'm tired a lot, i've replaced working out with naps!:) I guess i'm getting older!
Read Luke 9 today about Jesus' disciples arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus took a child & said whoever is the least among you is the greatest. If we could just look at each other as more important than ourselves then we could build each other up instead of tear each other down. Jesus never used his gifts & abilities for personal gain, he spent his life serving others.
What if we could see those around us as teammates where we are for each other's success instead of jealous? How would that change the way we relate? When you lift others up, you lift yourself in turn, the opposite is also true, when you tear others down, you bring yourself down also. So let's all choose to bring out the best in one another!
So step back, don't take things so personal & think about it from the other person's perspective so you can be an encouragement to others!
Make it a great day!
F
Monday i began my low dose shots, i found out that i will still need to take some meds for nausea & headaches. But i was able to play ball later that night, i didn't have any legs, was way out of shape & had no lift on my shot, guys were able to burn me on defense pretty easily, but i made it an hour & had fun! My back is pretty sore. Good start!
I hope to get back in the gym lifting next week! I still have to push myself to exercise since i'm tired a lot, i've replaced working out with naps!:) I guess i'm getting older!
Read Luke 9 today about Jesus' disciples arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus took a child & said whoever is the least among you is the greatest. If we could just look at each other as more important than ourselves then we could build each other up instead of tear each other down. Jesus never used his gifts & abilities for personal gain, he spent his life serving others.
What if we could see those around us as teammates where we are for each other's success instead of jealous? How would that change the way we relate? When you lift others up, you lift yourself in turn, the opposite is also true, when you tear others down, you bring yourself down also. So let's all choose to bring out the best in one another!
So step back, don't take things so personal & think about it from the other person's perspective so you can be an encouragement to others!
Make it a great day!
F
Friday, January 27, 2012
Done with Hi Dose Shots!!!
Friends
This week i finished my 8th & final Hi Dose shot on Monday! When the nurse came in with my blood levels, which were up from 1.2 to 1.8 on my neutrophils, she said you are an "iron man"! I smiled to hear someone call me that! I haven't felt very strong the past 2mths & feel so out of shape and take naps most days, but she reminded me that most people are worn out at the end of Hi Dose treatment.
I had a friend remind Dyan & I of all we've been thru the past 2 mths & it's amazing! We hosted both families for Christmas & New Years, had 2 packed Christmas Eve services, hosted a couple from Africa & their 14mth old daughter for 5 days, all of our kids & Dyan got the flu a few weeks ago, i've been able to make it to all of my boys basketball games, taken Chels to HS games, and i even squeezed in wrecking my car on the way to a Purdue game. WOW! That's a lot, no wonder i needed naps!:)
I have so much to be thankful for. My beautiful bride sent an email to some close friends & family this week updating them on my completing this round & asking for people to send an encouraging note & I was so blessed by such caring friends & family's words! I know there are also so many people praying for us. It's humbling! I tell people all the time i'm doing this well because of all the prayers being answered!
I have to say i'm really looking forward to getting back into playing some ball & lifting. I read Tim Tebow's book Through My Eyes this past month & it was so inspiring to push yourself to give everything your best. So pray that i have enough energy with my low dose shots that i can get back in shape & enjoy some exercise with the guys. It's a huge piece of who i am! You have to do what you love, it glorifies God for you to do what you love & it fills you up & it gives you opportunities to be a witness for Christ.
Tonight is a nice date with my wife & then it's off to the NFL experience tomorrow with my boys!
Make the most of every day!
F
This week i finished my 8th & final Hi Dose shot on Monday! When the nurse came in with my blood levels, which were up from 1.2 to 1.8 on my neutrophils, she said you are an "iron man"! I smiled to hear someone call me that! I haven't felt very strong the past 2mths & feel so out of shape and take naps most days, but she reminded me that most people are worn out at the end of Hi Dose treatment.
I had a friend remind Dyan & I of all we've been thru the past 2 mths & it's amazing! We hosted both families for Christmas & New Years, had 2 packed Christmas Eve services, hosted a couple from Africa & their 14mth old daughter for 5 days, all of our kids & Dyan got the flu a few weeks ago, i've been able to make it to all of my boys basketball games, taken Chels to HS games, and i even squeezed in wrecking my car on the way to a Purdue game. WOW! That's a lot, no wonder i needed naps!:)
I have so much to be thankful for. My beautiful bride sent an email to some close friends & family this week updating them on my completing this round & asking for people to send an encouraging note & I was so blessed by such caring friends & family's words! I know there are also so many people praying for us. It's humbling! I tell people all the time i'm doing this well because of all the prayers being answered!
I have to say i'm really looking forward to getting back into playing some ball & lifting. I read Tim Tebow's book Through My Eyes this past month & it was so inspiring to push yourself to give everything your best. So pray that i have enough energy with my low dose shots that i can get back in shape & enjoy some exercise with the guys. It's a huge piece of who i am! You have to do what you love, it glorifies God for you to do what you love & it fills you up & it gives you opportunities to be a witness for Christ.
Tonight is a nice date with my wife & then it's off to the NFL experience tomorrow with my boys!
Make the most of every day!
F
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
7th shot goes well!
Friends
Sorry i didn't post last week, i had 2 crashes, one was my computer! The other was my car the night of the icy snowy weather. Everyone is healthy! We also had the couple from Africa, so we were very busy, it was a GREAT time! 25 more orphans were sponsored, pretty amazing!
This week's shot went well. My blood levels are a little lower but i feel good. Only 1 more of the high dose shots left next week!:) I received my insurance statement in the mail for December's 4 shots & guess how much it cost? $45,000, yes that is not a typo! Unbelievable! We are very blessed to have the insurance we have.
Be thankful for what you do have, because things could always be worse!
Have a great week!
F
Sorry i didn't post last week, i had 2 crashes, one was my computer! The other was my car the night of the icy snowy weather. Everyone is healthy! We also had the couple from Africa, so we were very busy, it was a GREAT time! 25 more orphans were sponsored, pretty amazing!
This week's shot went well. My blood levels are a little lower but i feel good. Only 1 more of the high dose shots left next week!:) I received my insurance statement in the mail for December's 4 shots & guess how much it cost? $45,000, yes that is not a typo! Unbelievable! We are very blessed to have the insurance we have.
Be thankful for what you do have, because things could always be worse!
Have a great week!
F
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
5th shot, levels still low
Friends
Yesterday i received my 5th shot of my 8 Hi Dose shots. My blood levels were still low, so pray that my neutrophil go back up & my platelets. The biggest thing i'm working on right now is balancing nausea & constipation. Besides that i'm doing very well. Thank you for your ongoing prayers!
I'm over 1/2 way done with my Hi Dose shots, then i will start 10mths of a low dose shot that i'll give myself every week. Pray that i have good energy this week as we're hosting a couple from Africa that our church supports, they run an orphan care ministry in 4 churches in Zambia. We're very excited to have Derrick & Mercy and their little girl Chisomo with us. Pray for snow, they've never seen it!
I'll be interviewing them this coming Sunday at church about what life is like for the Orphans. Join us if you are in town. Our hope is to expose more people to the needs so that we can increase the number of people who sponsor kids. Sponsoring helps them get adequate food, clothing, education and they learn about Christ. Most of the children lose a parent due to AIDS and poverty.
Remember when your parents used to say, eat your food, there are starving kids in Africa? Well, we sponsor an orphan and talk to our kids about why regularly. Hope you join us in this effort to address the worst human crisis on the globe!
Have a great week!
Fred
Yesterday i received my 5th shot of my 8 Hi Dose shots. My blood levels were still low, so pray that my neutrophil go back up & my platelets. The biggest thing i'm working on right now is balancing nausea & constipation. Besides that i'm doing very well. Thank you for your ongoing prayers!
I'm over 1/2 way done with my Hi Dose shots, then i will start 10mths of a low dose shot that i'll give myself every week. Pray that i have good energy this week as we're hosting a couple from Africa that our church supports, they run an orphan care ministry in 4 churches in Zambia. We're very excited to have Derrick & Mercy and their little girl Chisomo with us. Pray for snow, they've never seen it!
I'll be interviewing them this coming Sunday at church about what life is like for the Orphans. Join us if you are in town. Our hope is to expose more people to the needs so that we can increase the number of people who sponsor kids. Sponsoring helps them get adequate food, clothing, education and they learn about Christ. Most of the children lose a parent due to AIDS and poverty.
Remember when your parents used to say, eat your food, there are starving kids in Africa? Well, we sponsor an orphan and talk to our kids about why regularly. Hope you join us in this effort to address the worst human crisis on the globe!
Have a great week!
Fred
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