This
month has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have never been more
aware of this disease than in the past month or so. I have had a friend die of it
and We two members of our family have been diagnosed with it. Peggy has a
friend who is a stage four survivor for almost nine years.
The word “cancer” is such a fearful word. I suspect
that none of us have not been affected by this terrible disease in all of its
many manifestations.
Both my parents died of it. Peggy had two members of her family pass away
because of it.
With
the pervasive awareness of cancer, what are we to do? Certainly, one answer is
to take care of our bodies, getting regular check-ups, regularly exercising,
watching our diet, eliminating harmful habits and stress in our lives. Much of
our stress comes from worry. Some of our worry comes from things over which we
have no control. Oh, we can obsess about cancer and its prevention, but,
ultimately, there are things we cannot control.
Scripture
deals with worry and anxiety many times. Jesus, himself, asks the challenging
question in Matthew chapter six, verse twenty-seven,
“Who
of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” The Apostle Paul says
in Philipians chapter 4, verses six and seven, “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What is the
“take-away” from all of this? First of
all, ladies, please get a yearly mammogram after age 45. All of us should take
care of our bodies that are the temples of the Holy Spirit…”therefore honor God
with our bodies.” (I Corinthians 6:20) More importantly, there is available to
all of us,the peace of God that passes all human understanding available to us when
we encounter difficulties when we truly trust Jesus as our Savior and Lord; when
we place the circumstances of our lives in the hands of the One who created us.
MINISTRY NEWS
·
Facilitated
Friday Morning Men’s Group – Discussing an Andy Stanley video series, “Christian”,
which I highly recommend. It can be found online at www.yourmove.is
·
Met
with individual Young life staff in Fayettevile, Rome, East Cobb, West Cobb,
Midtown Atlanta and attended Young Life Fund Raising Banquet in Griffin, GA.
·
Corresponded
daily with all Young Life staff in region on their day of prayer.
·
Met
with individual men for counsel and encouragement.
·
Have
not taken a salary since September of 2014
I
am truly grateful for those of you who have been faithful partners in this
vital ministry to men and their families.