I finished the race!

That’s right- I finished the race! My final radiation treatment was completed at 11:58 am Wednesday August 21^st, 2013.

As I lay on the table one last time, I realized I was completing my treatment as I had started it 8+ weeks ago; looking up at the cross in the ceiling, flooded with gratitude that God was there, He was watching over me and that He was healing and protecting me. What an awesome God; God is so good.

Then as I was leaving I ran into the massage therapist I had had a God conversation with a few weeks ago. I had an opportunity to bless her and she blessed me with a farewell backrub. God is really good.

When I met with the cancer support nurse as part of the discharge procedure, she mentioned a number of times how I had really sailed through the treatment- “only God” I told her; she agreed. She also reminded me why my appetite had increased (I forgot she had mentioned it 10 weeks earlier). Anyway, she said I use 300-400 calories just being on the table for the radiation treatment and probably 500 or more for the boosts I received this week. No wonder Culver’s had such a strong pull this summer.

When I told her I was experiencing more fatigue the last two weeks she reminded me that fatigue is a cumulative effect of the treatment, but also that my body is healing- duh, of course. The fatigue should begin to improve in a couple of weeks. I’m doing well, glad to have finished the treatments and expecting God’s healing and strength to continue.

Thanks for caring, praying and supporting me as I walk out this journey. Keep praying for complete healing, total eradication of the cancer, and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

I’ll probably be winding down this blog next week and only post information if there’s something to post.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Final lap!

That’s right I’m on my final lap. Today (Friday 8-16-13) I have my last “general radiation treatment”. On Monday I begin my last three “boost treatments”, where they will target the lymph nodes in the pelvic area and give them a special dose- zap them with a little extra boost to finish off the job.

On Monday Susan and I will also be meeting with our oncology doctor to map out follow up plans. Next week is my doctor’s last week in Green Bay. He has been hired by the University Medical Hospital to head up their prostate seed transplant department. I guess God lined me up with a pretty good doctor!

 I’m feeling good. I get a little tired the middle of the week, so I go to bed a little early.

 Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Treatment Changed!

This past week they changed my treatment. Apparently that was the plan all along, but I didn’t realize it. My first 25 treatments took 20-30 minutes as the x-ray machine rotated around my body to nine different sites and shot 18 beams at 9 different angles in 18 different patterns. Each beam was 3 to 12 seconds in length. Now the machine makes one arc around my body, one beam, one angle and it takes 65 seconds (yes I timed it).

It’s great! Apparently the next 13 treatments will be like this because they are focused on the pelvic floor and before they were shooting the whole pelvic area.

Not only does it take much shorter (a real break for my bladder control), but because of the change, my symptoms are diminishing. My gut isn’t as sore and my bowels have settled down. Yea God! These treatments will last through Aug. 16^th and then there will be another change.

The last week of treatment (Aug. 19-23) will focus directly on the two lymph nodes on the floor of my pelvis. They call it a “boost”. They’ll zap the lymph nodes with a little extra boost to finish off the job. I’ll tell you more about that next week.

 

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

  

 

A Good Reminder

A friend sent me some words of encouragement this week from the song “Sometimes He calms the Storm” (see link below). Although I realize my current journey isn’t a full blown storm; sometimes I feel like it is. So the words from this song were a good reminder.
“Even in the storm I keep sailing on, knowing My Lord is in control.” “Sometimes He calms the storm, sometimes He calms His child; sometimes He holds me close as the wind and waves go wild.”
Maybe this is a good reminder for you today?

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ifqPji2Flo

PS.- don’t forget to submit your suggestions for naming “the machine”- (see previous blog for more info)

Meet my lunch partner

Here are some pictures of my daily lunch partner. We get together everyday Mon-Fri. @ 11:30 am. in a corner room at St. V’s. (St. Vincent’s Hospital)
I’d introduce you but I don’t know her/his name. Maybe you could help? Let’s name my friend. Send me your suggestions and we’ll have a contest.

I’m doing pretty well, a little tired; not sure if that’s the heat, the treatment, my schedule or a combination. I took a ½ hr. nap on Tue. and it seemed to help.
Today (7-20-13) is my 18^th treatment, 20 to go.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com 

      The machine-                                                                                Ready for treatment to start

 

        

 

The wait was worth it

An interesting development in my treatment yesterday (Monday), the radiation oncology dept. called about 10:00 am. to inform me that the radiation machine wasn’t working properly (a great confidence booster). Apparently, there are lead shields within the machine that shift to change the patterns for different treatment levels, angles etc. Well, the lead shields wouldn’t shift, probably a problem with a motor. Anyway, they told me to call before I left the office to be sure they are on schedule. I called, they weren’t on schedule; off by 15 minutes. No big deal.

I arrived at 11:45 am for my treatment. Did I mention one of the requirements for my treatment is a full bladder? Ya, I need a full bladder to be able to get the rays lined up correctly, or whatever. Each day, an hour before my treatment I drink two bottles of water. So Monday, I chug down my last bottle of water on the way to St. Vincent’s. I get there, with a full bladder, go in, put on my wonderful hospital gown with un-matching robe. They bring me into the x-ray room, get me set up, aligned on the table and the machine isn’t working. UGH! My nurse said I could lay there (with a full bladder) while they fixed it or I could go relieve myself, drink more water and wait.

Ya, I got up and took care of things. Good thing too. I drank some more, and waited, had to relived myself again, drank some more and waited, had to relieved myself, drank some more; it took nearly two hours to repair the machine and get me back in there.

But- the wait was worth it. For my delay and discomfort they gave me a $10 Culvers gift card- yea! It gets better- the flavor of the day was caramel cashew- way good. The wait was worth it.

Hopefully tomorrow everything will move smoothly; unless God wants me to have some more Culver’s custard.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Week Two Treatment Update

Friday (7-5-13) will mark the end of week two of my radiation treatments (8 down- 30 to go). The routine of going every day is getting old already. I’m asking God to help me be a blessing when I’m there and not focus on the mundane routine.

I found out that the x-ray machine shoots 18 beams at 9 different angles in 18 different patterns as it rotates around my body. Each beam is between 3 and 12 seconds in length (yes I timed them).

A bit of a bummer yesterday; experienced one of the effects of the radiation- loose stools; Imodium took care of it. But I was disappointed; doing better today. Keep trusting Jesus as we walk out this journey. I’m glad God’s my GPS, because I sure don’t know where this journey is going.

I had some good family time this week with my sister and her family from Colorado and my brother and his family from Green Bay. 

 

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

       

 

Watching Over

My friend Steve, liked my "cross" experience this week and sent me theses encouraging words. Thanks Steve. My God is watching over me; I hope you know He's watching over you also, no matter what your life circumstances may be.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
      where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
      the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
He who watches over you will not slumber;
     indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
       the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
          He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

Update from today’s treatment-

When I went in for my treatment today I mentioned the “cross” in the ceiling to one of my nurses and she was quick to let me know that it wasn’t a cross. The “cross” over my head is actually an area cut out for one of the laser beams they use to line up the x-ray beams. So she thinks it’s for the laser, but I know better.

God wants me to understand that He has everything lined up according to His plan, He’s watching over me, so just relax PT and keep your eyes on the cross.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Scary and tired

Yesterday, every time the x-ray beam was being activated I could hear it hum; as that would happen, I found myself saying “this is scary”.  I wasn’t scared, if that makes sense; but it was scary. I was wondering what this thing was doing entering my body. I wasn’t scared of the cancer; it was this thing (the x-rays) and wondering what it was doing to me. That was unsettling, but I kept giving it to God.
During the day (Tuesday), I found myself flat emotionally and physically drained; not from the radiation itself, but from the emotional drain of starting the treatment.

Today (Wed.) is better, my treatment went well and I haven’t experienced the tiredness.
I’m asking God to help me see and learn all He has for me through this journey.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

God’s message is clear!

God’s message is clear! “I have you covered; I’m watching over you.”

Tuesday morning I began my radiation treatments (9am), and God made Himself very clear. Let me explain.

The equipment is really interesting. Right over my head (about 12-18 inches above me) is a large circular x-ray machine that rotates 360◦ around me. So, as I’m lying there on the table before we start all I can see is this big machine. But a couple of neat God things occurred when it started rotate. The suspended ceiling over my head has a fluorescent light that is covered with a beautiful picture of a park like setting- flowers, trees, gardens, river- just gorgeous.  As the machine moves I see it for the first time. “Thank you Father, for giving me something I love to focus on while I go through the treatment.” What a neat gift from my Father. But He’s not done, as the machine moves into the next position I look up and there in the suspended ceiling they had carved out part of the tile, a 3”x6” cross. Right over me! And there was a red light from somewhere backlighting the cross. God message was clear; He wanted me to be real certain that He was there, He had me covered and He was watching over me. I started to cry as I saw the cross and just kept thanking Him. And even though the machine rotated to numerous different locations, it never blocked my vision of the cross.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

PS. The treatment takes about 30 minutes because they shoot from a number of different angles as the machine rotates.

The pictures tell the story

Folks have been asking, “How are you doing?” I tell them, “I’m doing great!” But sometimes I feel like they think I’m just saying that, because it’s expected. No, really, I’m feeling great.
 
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I give you a 3,000 word response to how I’m feeling. Here’s a couple of pic’s from last week’s Minnesota trip to visit my daughters and grandkids. These pictures are of Papa, Olivia and Mathias (Jessica’s children).
 
See I’m feeling great- pictures don’t lie.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.
PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

PT has a tat!

That’s right; Pastor Terry has a tattoo, sort of. Yesterday I went in to have my “markings” done for my upcoming radiation treatments. They did three needle mark ink spots on my lower abdomen to mark the radiation area. I think they’re permanent, but not sure. I’ll ask next time I go in. The magic marker spots they used to line up the ink spots will eventually come off, but I may have the “tat” for life.

My treatment schedule has been changed. Apparently, more time is needed to get yesterday’s CAT scan back from the lab and to layout the specific treatment area and dosage. So my first radiation treatment will be Tue. June 25^th @ 9 am. not Mon. June 17^th.

 I didn’t do real well with that. Yesterday was a hard day. I was really disappointed that they had to change my start date. I’m doing a little better today.

 My emotions seem real fragile when I’m in that hospital setting. Seeing myself in the hospital gown and laying on the CAT scan table makes everything much more real. My head handles it ok, but it takes awhile for my heart to settle in. I keep taking it to Jesus and He gives me His comfort and peace; I realize His presence and it slowly seeps down into my heart.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

 

Great week

Great week this past week. I finally got out golfing. Golfed with three friends from Oakbrook at Horseshoe Bay in Door County. Hit the ball pretty well (for me anyway), I shot a 91 on a tough course. Followed that up later in the week by planting our vegetable garden and helping Susan plant the pots for around our yard. Feeling good.

Susan and I will spend some time with family in the St. Paul, MN area before beginning my radiation treatment June 17^th.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Special Gift

I received a special gift from my “little brother” Greg this week. Greg’s four years younger than me and lives here in Green Bay. He called me last Sunday and asked if he could come over and cut my grass, no easy feat even with a rider mower, since I have about two acres of grass.

In the spring when things are so wet it doesn’t take long for me to get behind and for the grass to grow like crazy. Such was the case. I didn’t know how I was going to get the time to try and get caught up. Well, Greg did; he came over on Monday and cut, came back on Tuesday cut again, thatched, and bagged (probably about 4-5 hours). Way to go Greg, thanks. Huge help- very special gift. That means this weekend I can work in the gardens instead of cutting grass all day.

Good news, not about my cancer, about my golfing. I’m planning on getting on the golf course next week. I’m hoping to go to Door County with a couple of friends. I’m going to try to coerce them into giving me some sympathy strokes because of “my condition”. But knowing these guys they won’t give me any.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Markings Set

Before I begin my radiation treatments we need to “mark out the territory”. The appointment to mark the area that will be radiated has been set- Thursday June 13^th @ 1pm. If I understand it correctly, they’ll use a blue marker to identify where they want to focus the x-rays and I should begin receiving the radiation treatment the following week- June 17^th. The plan at this point is for 7-8 weeks of radiation, 5 days per week.

I’m doing well, feely great and looking forward to getting on the golf course.

Thanks for caring and praying.

 

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

 

What's Happening?

Hey PT, what's been happening? We haven't seen anything on this blog for over a week. What's going on?

Nothing. And that’s good. No side effects of any kind.

Once my vacation schedule gets set, I’ll schedule the radiation treatment. Probably mid to late June.

Thanks for caring and praying. Join me as I pray for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment. Let’s agree together.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

make Jesus famous

I received an email from a friend who has been praying for me and my journey. He said something that I really resonated with. He said, “I've been praying for you. I am confident Jesus will be made famous as you go through your cancer.”

I thought- ya, that’s what I want. I want Jesus to be famous- for Jesus to get all the glory for what He does and how He walks me through this journey. So, as you pray for me and my healing, please pray that Jesus will be made “famous” in and through the journey.

 We went to Minnesota to see our daughters and grandchildren this week. It was the first time I was able to have face time with my girls since the cancer returned. It was good for me to see them doing well with it. Two of my grandchildren made me a personally hand decorated journal, because according to them, “Papa needs a journal to process his illness”. Wow, what a gift. It sits on my desk so I can jot down feelings, thoughts, God moments any time I want to or need to. Pray that God will use this journal powerfully as I walk this out.

Thanks for caring and praying.
PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Got the shot

Ouch- I got the shot yesterday (4-18-13).

I received my first hormone injection yesterday. It’s a testosterone suppressant and was injected into my belly- ouch. The good news is that it’s a “time release” sort of deal; it’s a 6-month dose. No more shots for 6 months.

The male hormone testosterone feeds the prostate cancer cells; so the treatment/medication works to suppress the manufacturing of testosterone, thus suppressing the growth of the cancer cells.

After two months we’ll add the radiation treatment to attack the cancer cells directly. Test have shown that the hormone treatment makes the radiation treatment more effective, that’s why we’re waiting to start the radiation. The radiation treatment will be 5 days per week for 7½ weeks; beginning mid to late June.

 I continue to find that with each connect with my doctors things become more and more real. This is a bit of a struggle for a guy like me who has never been sick. Prior to my prostate surgery 8 years ago, I hadn’t been in the hospital since I was 17 following a car accident. God has always given me good health and physical stamina. So this is taking a bit to get my head (and my heart) around; especially when physically I feel great.

I continue to trust Him as I learn to walk this new path. One of the Physician Assistants on my team has this verse printed on her biographical information; “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)
I certainly agree with her.

Thanks for caring and praying.
PT
You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

The Journey Begins

Thanks for caring and praying,

Last Friday (4-12) we met with our radiation oncologist and received the biopsy results. The biopsy confirmed that the lymph node cells are a low grade prostate cancer. The good news is it’s prostate cancer, not some other form, and it’s low grade (a 6 on the Gleason scale) Which is the same as 8 years ago when I had my prostate surgery.

The treatment of choice in my case is hormone treatment (a testosterone suppressant) along with radiation treatment to the pelvic area, including the pelvic lymph nodes.

I will receive the testosterone suppressant on Thursday (4-18).

The radiation treatment will probably begin in mid to late June. The radiation treatment is more effective following a couple of months on the testosterone suppressant. The radiation treatment will be 5 days a week for 7 ½  weeks.

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Recent lesson- each time I see/interact with my doctor the more real the journey becomes. This is good because then I engage and embrace the journey, which helps me open up to my family and friends.  

 

 

What's this?

I’ll  be using this “blog” to communicate my medical journey. Last Sunday (4-7-13) I shared with our Oakbrook family that my prostate cancer has recurred (I had prostate surgery 8 yrs. ago) I was symptom free until my physical in February, when my PSA was elevated.

We’ve done a bone scan and chest x-ray, both were clear. So we believe any cancer cells are in the pelvic area where the prostate was. On Monday I had a needle biopsy of two suspicious lymph nodes on the side of the pelvis. We’ll get the results later this week and determine what treatment steps may be next. The treatment is not very involved and won’t be debilitating in any way; it won’t affect ministry, golf, grandkids activity, hair loss, or anything else.

We want our Oakbrook family to know that Susan and I are doing fine; we don’t see this as a big deal. God has much more for us to do. We’re walking this out in faith with our church family. We have set up this “blog” to communicate updates, God activity along the path, and lessons being learned as we walk this journey together.

 You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Thanks for praying and for walking this out in faith with us.

“The No-name Universal Church of Jesus Christ”

Welcome to the No-name Universal Church of Jesus Christ- my name for the Antioch church in Acts- considered by many to be the greatest NT church.

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:19-20

A couple of things to notice here; no church leaders are mentioned, no apostles, no pastors, actually no names at all. Apparently ordinary everyday folks were spreading the Word and moving God’s story forward within their communities, neighborhoods, among their “oikos” (household). The church at Antioch was started by no names. That’s God’s pattern- everyday people proclaiming the gospel and starting churches. God uses the church and it’s imperfect members (us) for His perfect plan. In his book The Case for Antioch Jeff Iorg writes-“Local churches, warts and all, are God’s strategy for advancing His Kingdom.”

 Unknowns, no-names, started the greatest New Testament church. God uses everyday people, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit who spread the good news from person to person. It was natural for new Christ followers to share with others their new-found joy; strengthened and empowered by the Spirit everyday people were compelled to tell His Story to their “oikos”- household; their family, servants, friends; wherever they had relationship and influence.

As people moved about their everyday worlds, the Church was established and expanded person to person, neighborhood to neighborhood. People were salt and light right where God scattered them and God grew His church.

If you’re a Christ follower then you’re a member of the “No-name, Universal Church of Jesus Christ.” No-names; everyday, ordinary people; universal-all kinds of people. No names- so, No one can say, “I don’t know enough, I don’t have the experience, or resources; no one would listen to me”.

If God’s pattern is everyday people led and empowered by His Spirit telling His story person to person- then we need to be aware of where He’s placed us and where He has given us relationship and influence; neighbors (chimney to chimney); co-workers (cubicle to cubicle); and classmates- (class to class). That’s what the No-name Universal Church of Jesus Christ does.

Big step- Giant leap

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Neil Armstrong’s famous quote as he stepped from the Apollo 11 spacecraft to the lunar surface. And it was a giant leap for space exploration. But it pales in comparison to the decisive step Peter takes in Acts 10; a monumental step in the expansion of Christianity from a small Jewish sect to a global Gentile dominant  movement. Up to this point the gospel had only been preached to Jews, converts to Judaism (proselytes), and Samaritans (semi-Jews who practiced the Jewish laws of Moses). This was about to change- drastically.

In Acts 10, God speaks to Peter with a crazy vision of a sheet and every kind of animal, clean and unclean, acceptable and unacceptable, according to Jewish law. God tells Peter to eat. Peter says “no”; I won’t go against my traditions to obey you. “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” (Acts 10:14-15)

God was preparing Peter to take a big step out of his religious comfort zone and take the Jesus story to non-Jews, Gentiles. So Peter goes to Cornelius’s house. Cornelius was a Roman centurion, a Gentile, who loved God, but didn’t know Jesus. Here’s the big step, Peter enters his home, and says, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:28)

Peter realizes the barriers must be removed; the walls of religious traditions, manmade barriers of pride and personal prejudice must come down. The gospel is for everyone. “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34)This is a radical reversal of all Peter had been taught, believed and practiced as an orthodox Jew. This opens up the gospel to everyone. Peter affirms the universality of the gospel- all nations, all people groups, everyone and anyone, can receive forgiveness of sins and have a forever relationship with God.

Don’t miss this, the giant leap is not simply that outsiders are in, but that there are no outsiders in God’s Kingdom- no religious laws or hoops to jump through to earn God’s forgiveness. No one is outside God’s love and grace. We must not set up manmade rules, traditions, or prejudices that keep people from God and His gospel. “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35) God is inclusive not exclusive. He did everything necessary to include anyone who would believe in Him.

His church must tear down any barriers between people and the cross, and we dare not construct barriers that would exclude others from God or His Truth. God’s love and grace are available to everyone. We must break down any human or religious distinctions that separate people from God, His truth and His church.

“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 3:28) In God’s Kingdom we are not to divide people into categories and treat them like outsiders.

From the nobodies to the notorious

The rapid and extensive expansion of the Church in the early centuries was due to the spontaneous activity of individuals. The first teachers of the majority of the Christians were basically unknown- nobodies.

The pattern in the early church is God uses “everyone, everywhere, every day in every way” to fulfill His Acts 1:8 promise? “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8  

Those who spread the Gospel and established the Church are not known as men of great learning or ability. Most of them are not known by name at all- nobodies. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 Unknown, unlearned, ignorant people – nobodies, “who had been with Jesus”. That’s the reality of the early church- that’s the pattern in God’s Kingdom.

 

God not only uses nobodies and He can and will use the notorious; 1^st century terrorist, named Saul, public enemy #1 for the new Jesus community. “Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” Acts 8:3

Here’s the big idea- from the nobodies to the notorious no one is outside God’s grace, no one is beyond His touch, no one is unreachable, unusable, or unsuitable. No one is disqualified because of their past.

Friends, God doesn’t need your ability just your availability; because He does His work by His Spirit; God moves His story forward  through the lives of ordinary everyday followers led and empowered by His Spirit

Followers who God uses, who participate with what God is doing are filled with His Spirit- Pentecost, the apostle, Peter, the Seven who waited tables were men full of the HS, Stephen, Phillip and now Saul all full of the Holy Spirit.  Each and every person used by God was full of His Spirit. Always was and always will be; God moves His story forward, establishes His church and expands His kingdom through ordinary everyday people led and empowered by His Spirit. That’s the only way the Acts 1:8 promise is fulfilled.

Through the lives of the nobodies and the notorious God’s message goes forward, His church is established and His Kingdom is expanded.

 

 

How to get to heaven

Have you ever asked the question-How to get to heaven? Well, maybe that’s the wrong question. How to get to- makes it about a place. Is that what God intended? Was His original desire simply to get us to a place, a location?

 If it’s about a place then we need to know what’s going to get us there; what needs to happen so I can get there? How can I be sure I’ll get in? If it’s about a place, then; What’s the toll we need to pay to pass from here to there? What’s the entry fee? What path do I need to follow? Those are all valid- if heaven’s about a destination, a place. If it’s a location, it becomes all about me and what I need to do. I become the center of the quest. I’d better get it right or else.

Friends, life isn’t about a destination (heaven) it’s not even about the journey, being good- it’s about a relationship. It’s about being connected to God now and forever. That’s God’s Grand Story.

Let’s go back to the beginning of God’s Story- creation and the Garden of Eden. What was God’s original design? When He created us why did He create us? It wasn’t about location; God didn’t create humanity so they could live in the Garden of Eden- it wasn’t that God needed some occupants for His Garden, some landscapers. The Garden wasn’t a destination. The Garden was for the purpose of having a place for God to be with His creation.

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.”

 Why did God put man in The Garden? So man would have something to do? No. God put humanity in the Garden so He could be with them. God’s all the time desire is to be with us- that’s the heart of His Story. God wanted a place to be with His beloved creation. Where could they be to be together? Where could they have lunch? God needed a place where He could share His love and enjoy being with the apex of His creation- mankind. The Garden, the place, was for relationship! So God could be with; so mankind could be with God.

God and the first couple spent time together walking in the coolness of the Garden. That was the original desire of God.“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”  Why was God walking in the Garden? Did He need the exercise? God didn’t need a place to walk. He was walking in the Garden to be with, it wasn’t about a location it was about relationship- about being with.

Life isn’t about a location or a destination (heaven) it’s about a relationship; Jesus came and died to restore your relationship, not take you to paradise.

What makes heaven is not the place it’s the Person- In heaven we will returned to that pre-sin state, to God’s original desire; we will be with God without anything separating us. We will be forever with Him. It always was, is and will always be, about knowing God, being with Him. It’s not about a destination- “getting to heaven.”

Friends, God’s heart desire, the focus of all He does is so we will know Him. Not know about Him, know Him and be in relationship with Him.

Don’t think about How to get to heaven- think about How can I know God, be in relationship with Him, be with Him, now and forever. It changes everything- my everyday life becomes about being with Him, following Him, loving Him; pleasing Him, obeying Him, getting to know Him. Heaven becomes the eternal location where I live in relationship with God- and enjoy Him forever. Life becomes about a relationship, not a destination (heaven) – or even the journey