Tuesday

March 11, 2025

    My original plan was to only post on Thursdays, but when there is more to share than just one post, I decided to write on Tuesday's, too.  Tuesday Thoughts to go along with Thursday Thoughts.

    After my surgery on the 26th, Dr. Tran told me that if I didn't hear from the radiological oncologist with a week or so to give them a call.  They called me on Friday. I'm never sure how to take the rapidity with which the different doctors contact me.  Should I be impressed by their efficiency, or be concerned that want me treated as quickly as possible? I was able to schedule an appointment for tomorrow, March 12, at 2 PM.  It's just a consultation as I still need more time for the area of my surgery to completely heal. I'm assuming we will schedule the radiation treatments, and Cathy and I will learn what it is, how it works, and what it will be like to undergo. 

    I'm doing great and quickly getting back into the rhythms of normal life. I was able to go to church on Sunday and sit through the service. I ramped my walking back up to 10,000 steps yesterday and today. This morning Cathy and I went to church and worked in the Book Nook. Tonight, I'm going to a Kings hockey game with my friend Sam. A win would be nice.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7

...Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

    This verse resonates with me in a couple of different ways.  First, I found my cancer by noticing a lump under the skin.  It needed to be "cleaned out" before it spread.  For the moment, I have been "cleansed" so I am now "unleavened," cancer free. 

    Sin is often compared to cancer and it's easy to see why. Cancer can start so small, barely noticeable. If it's caught early, there is a very good chance of stopping the spread. If it's not dealt with, it will spread throughout the body and eventually kill you. Sin is the same.  It can seem a small and insignificant indiscretion at first, but then it starts to spread throughout your thoughts and actions. Unchecked, it will eventually control your life. That happens with individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, and society/culture  

    An example that comes to mind, cursing. Cursing has been a part of human existence forever, but it has only become mainstream in the past few decades.  When I was growing up, cursing was rarely heard in public.  Popular music didn't have curse words included, usually, and it wasn't that hard to find a G or PG movie. Curse words were never on TV, and there was no cable yet. Then, certain words were allowed on TV and radio.  R-rated movies became more popular and prevalent. Music began including curse words on a regular basis. Podcasts often use profanity, and athletes are less likely to censor themselves during interviews. There is even a political party that seems to have been instructed by their consultants to use curse words at least once in every interview or political rally. 

    That is why the last sentence is so important. Cancer can only be won through sacrifice. Cutting the cancer out, killing cells through radiation or chemotherapy, and losing hair, weight, and good health while undergoing treatment are all sacrifices made when fighting cancer. 

    More dramatically, sin could only be overcome with sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus. He was crucified so that the sin in the world wouldn't ultimately win.  That each of us can overcome our sin and overcome being a sinner by repenting and putting our faith in Jesus. 

Romans 5:8

    But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Hebrews 10:10

    And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

Acts 3:19

    Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. 

    It is such a blessing to know that Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice for my sins and was resurrected to show His power over death.  So, I can know, that no matter what happens, there is going to be power over death for me, too.  

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