My daughter encouraged me to share this part of my journey, and this seemed to be a good time. A number of people have commented on the fact that I have an extraordinarily rare disease—one almost never diagnosed until it has seriously compromised vital organs. Yet my disease was discovered when only my kidneys were affected—and even they actually show “normal” functioning on tests. So, how is it this disease was discovered?

Answer: In December of 2014 I shattered my leg in a motorcycle accident. I underwent surgery five days later to rebuild it. With the added fluid of the IVs, I experienced systemic edema (swelling) which has never disappeared. Finally, almost a year later, a doctor determined I should be tested for the cause of the edema—and the cancer was found.

In other words, had I not shattered my leg, it is very likely I would still not know about my disease. It is most likely that the disease would have progressed until such time as it compromised my organs so much that my prognosis would have been grim. If I am able to achieve remission through treatment, my life may well have been saved by my injury and suffering over the last year.

There is another connection between my accident and my current Adventure. Since starting to walk again, I have worked very hard to get into better physical condition. My goal: the removal of the steel plate and screws still in my leg. If I were able to be strong enough—active enough—the surgeon was willing to remove the steel. I designed and followed my own physical therapy, working within the limits provided by my doctor. I pushed myself. I hurt. I worked very hard for months. I gained strength. I gained stamina. I lost over 40 pounds. And I was scheduled for surgery.

Of course, that surgery had to be postponed (I have been told I can have it done if I achieve remission). But the strength and stamina showing up in all the tests I have undergone—the strength that my doctors believe will give me the chance of achieving remission—is a direct result of my injury. Had I not been injured, I would not have been so motivated, and I would not be in the condition I am in today.

So what?

Romans 8:28 tells us that God causes all things to work together for good for those called according to his purpose.

He didn’t cause my accident—that was caused by carelessness and an unwarranted desire for Jack-in-the-Box. What he did is use it. Not just for my physical safety, but for spiritual strength and the ability to serve Him.   Because of this experience:

I am ready for life or death.

I have no fear of meeting my King physically—only anticipation.

I have a renewed awareness of how God can use me—and have had many opportunities to share my faith.

I have an extraordinary appreciation for the love and partnership I have with others—most particularly with the amazing woman with whom God has allowed me to share life.

I have been able to encourage and strengthen others.

I have peace (though still not jazzed about sharp tools).

I don’t know what you will face—because of your sin, or simply because we live in a fallen world. I do know who faces these things with you. He didn’t cause them, but he will use them for your good. If you—we—are willing to let him!

For updates on my Adventure go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/theadventure

This morning I slept in, and enjoyed watching grandchildren as I leisurely prepared for my day. My day will include flying home, and re-entering my “normal”. Normal is important to many of us—and while my normal has always been a bit unpredictable, I find I am not at all certain about my new normal. It includes an interesting blend of the familiar (Donna and I together, a return to Nutrisystem after a “slight” diversion:-), sermon prep and worship with the body of NOCC) and the unfamiliar (saying good-bye to my kids and grandkids in Texas with the awareness it is possible I won’t see them again, picking up a new Rx from the pharmacy related to my adventure, and making the last minute preparations to enter my new adventure).

Yes, I am going on an Adventure. Adventures can be exciting and new. Adventures stretch us and cause us to see things—and people—differently. Adventures make things that are important, not important—and things that are not so important to some very important indeed. Adventures are the unknown, and they force us to actually have the faith we often speak of, but don’t need to practice (it is easy to trust God for your daily bread with a freezer full). Adventures rev up the adrenaline—either from excitement or fear—and cause us to experience life in a way we haven’t been experiencing it.

And to quote a sage philosopher (Bilbo Baggins), “Adventures are such bothersome things”.

As I begin my adventure I only know part of what I will encounter—and I don’t know how I will react. I find that I am curious, even a bit anxious, about some of the less savory things I have been told to expect. But more importantly, I find myself wondering, “Will I be faithful to the King” in that situation?

According to Hebrews 12, while I certainly can’t blame God for the circumstances leading to my adventure, I know he allows it—and uses it for a purpose. Knowing this, I can enter my adventure with these certainties:

1. I will not be alone. Whether the people I find comforting are there or not, I am always with the King.
2. I will not encounter a situation in which I am unable to be faithful to the King (though I may or may not actually be—that’s on me).
3. God will use this adventure to strengthen me—and ultimately to bring what we all hope for: Righteousness and Peace.
4. If I allow him to do it (odd that he gives me that choice), he will use this adventure to help others—sometimes in ways I don’t even know about.

So the “bother” is worth it.

What adventure are you entering today? Are you willing to step out and embrace the adventure—to willingly accept that God is using it in you—even if it is bothersome? You have a choice. Be careful. Making the wrong choice can bring about an entirely other type of adventure.

I hope we encounter each other on our adventurous paths! Know Jesus, and Be Faithful!

In the past few weeks I have been fascinated (picture Spock raising and eyebrow and saying “fascinating”:-)) by people’s response to me.  I keep hearing that I am an inspiration:-), that people are so encouraged by my attitude, that I have–just by having this disease, and having the attitude I have–already helped some others.  And I am blown away that they see me that way.

To be clear, this is not false modesty.  It’s just that I know who I am–and who I am not.  And I know I’m not a spiritual giant.  I always wondered how I would actually react if I got the kind of news I saw others wrestle with.  Then I got a phone call telling me I have a rare and incurable form of cancer.

I talked with the Lord immediately–as the doctor was talking with me.  I said, “Ok, Lord, here it comes.  How can I be faithful in this (not a rhetorical question!)?  And my mind shifted.  It isn’t about my faithfulness.  It is about his.

So, I remembered.  All the things over my life he has given me.  And all the things that could–and probably should–have happened that didn’t!  I was so struck by his faithfulness that I was simply grateful.  It didn’t mean I liked what was happening to me.  It just meant I saw it differently than some others do.

Then I started thinking.  This is big.  This isn’t just about crisis.  This is about mundane, everyday life.  So many of us struggle with out attitude about our lives.  We’re “bored”.  We’re depressed (not just the clinical, medical issue).  We’re frustrated–and angry.  Because it is so easy to look at what might have been and isn’t.

But do we see clearly what is?  The Hebrew writer said:  “since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28, NASU).  Such a huge statement–and so easily missed.  I confess I have read this–and even taught it–dozens if not hundreds of times before this sunk in.  Why do so many of us struggle with our attitudes?  Because we are focused on ourselves, and our disappointments, instead of what God has given us–a relationship with himself!  Why do we struggle in life to maintain that sense of reverence and awe before God?  Because we aren’t grateful.

The good news is, this is correctable.  The problem is, we usually start with the second of a two-part process, and skip the part that makes certain we achieve that gratitude.  So, here’s my recipe:-).

Part 1–Focus on what you really deserve, and what you don’t.  I am a sinner.  That isn’t just an academic realization–it is a horrible fact I become more aware of the longer I serve the King.  I deserve destruction and punishment–period.  I do NOT deserve to be: forgiven; given the opportunity to have a new life; given the chance to work alongside my King, even though he could do everything better himself; given the love and loyalty of the wonderful woman who has shared my life since we were 18, or the children, children-in-law, and grandkids he has given; and certainly not the promise of being a co-heir of the eternal Kingdom of God.  And I don’t deserve the friendship I have with many of you.

Now I am ready for the good stuff!

Part 2–I have not been given what I deserve (that’s mercy), and I HAVE been given all the things I don’t deserve (that’s grace) I listed above.  So, I remind myself of those things, and I stand in awe at what the Lord has done.

And everything else that happens in my life becomes small before him.

I hope you you will join me in these two steps.  God has given me life today, and I live it for him!