“But here on this mountain, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, a feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts” (Isaiah 25:6 MSG).

For me, potlucks are complicated. I never know what to make. I guess that is why being invited to dinner is so much nicer than being invited to a potluck. And yet, the dinner invitation is barely out of my friend’s mouth before I yelp, “What can I bring?” Some friends let me bring a salad or a dessert, but then there’s the friend who says, “don’t bring a thing.” Part of me is thrilled to be treated with such hospitality, while another part of me is immediately feeling guilty that I’m going to show up without a dish.

Why is it so difficult for some of us to be treated as special, when we’ve nothing to contribute but ourselves? Even a cancer walk can feel like a time you need to “get it right.”

“So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided” (Genesis 22:14 NIV).

One of the most difficult of the Ten Commandments is number ten: “Thou shalt not covet.” I confess I am always lusting after what I don’t have. Right now, I am frantically searching the Internet for a better SUV. The one I own is perfectly fine. But I want a smoother ride. I covet a particular SUV that I think will satisfy my insatiable desire. What do you want that you don’t have? Maybe you want a different spouse, a better job, better hair, new golf clubs or better health.  

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV).

Have you ever heard the Yiddish Proverb, “Man plans, and God laughs?” It took me a while to learn the message behind these words. We live in such a fast-paced world, and expectations are high. I have always been someone who is on the go from the time my feet hit the floor until I drop back into bed fast asleep. My daily “to do” list has always been extensive and at times impossible. I have found myself frustrated and disappointed when I could not complete those lists or when my plans did not go as expected or didn’t happen at all. Have you experienced these feelings?

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where [the wounded, half-dead man] was. And when he saw him, he had compassion” (Luke 10:33 NKJV).

Jesus tells a story about a man traveling who gets mugged (see Luke 10:30‬-35). The thieves strip him of his clothes, beat him and leave him lying half dead on the side of the road. Two religious leaders come along the same road, see the man, and cross to other side to avoid him.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

When my wife, Sue, was first diagnosed with breast cancer, we did something surely no one else has ever done. We did a Google search for information about her particular type of cancer, seeking what would hopefully be a good prognosis.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV).

As my pastoral visit approached the end, I invited my parishioner and his family to join hands as I offered a prayer. I closed my eyes and began to intercede. I gave thanks, made our requests, and invited His presence into the hospital room.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26 NKJV).

An old high school friend stopped by the house after my older brother died. Thirty-five years later, I still remember his visit. He walked through the front door, hugged me, and simply groaned. Somehow, I understood the message of those guttural sounds. His sighs seemed to say, “I loved him, too.” I knew I was not alone in my grief.

“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” (James 2:22 NIV).

Albert Einstein is often credited with saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”1 If we keep doing what we have always done, nothing will ever change!

No one knows this better than a patient at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance who I will call Julie. Last winter Julie was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and was not given a very good prognosis. At the time of her diagnosis, she was overweight, sedentary, and was not attending church on a regular basis. Her diagnosis was hard for her to deal with. She sank into a very deep depression and completely isolated herself from family and friends. She wanted to rid herself of the world—or at least rid the world of herself.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

I was the youngest of three boys. It was wonderful having older brothers I could call upon for protection or advice. It was also a blessing to have a mother I could run to when the older brothers felt like taking out their frustrations on their youngest brother. Who can we turn to for security and protection in a world filled with tribulation? Our parents, siblings or friends will not always be present. The world is filled with temptations and pitfalls. The writer of John reminds us that Jesus has overcome the world to bring us peace. Jesus is our constant Friend whose presence brings peace in an anxious world.

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Matthew 11:2-3 HCS)

After living all of my 28 years in Florida, I moved to Chicago. Chicago winters have these things I had only seen in movies: ice, snow, hail, and this stuff called sleet. Having moved in October, I was ready for spring by Thanksgiving. But spring would come in March, right? Wrong. It was still snowing on Mother’s Day. Every sun-deprived molecule in my body yelled out, “Really? REALLY? Is spring ever going to come?” This was certainly not what I had expected.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite [wounded] in spirit, and who tremble at my word’” (Isaiah 66:1-2 NIV).

What can cancer build in you? We know the narrative about how cancer destroys your cells, your tissue, your organs. We know the story that cancer can destroy your routine, your relationships, your family, your self-esteem. But what can cancer build in you? Can cancer build anything good in you? Is that even possible?

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:7 NLT).

A few years ago, I set a goal of running a half marathon. Although I had been active for most of my life, I never really saw myself as a “runner.” I didn’t think I had the endurance to be able to withstand the thirteen (point one!) miles of torture activity. However, I was looking for something new to try and was willing to give it a shot. So, I began to train.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

Have you ever been to one of those fancy restaurants with a dessert tray covered with gooey, yummy, irresistible desserts? It is hard to look at that tray and not think, "That sure does look good." But usually I am practical and say, "No thanks."

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).

The cancer experience is often described as a battle. He battles cancer. She fights the disease. We celebrate warriors. I do not love the war imagery, but it works. When cancer attacks you and those you love, the battle is on. ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14 NIV). You may have spent your life trying to get ahead, or at least to keep up. You may have been climbing the ladder of success. Now that cancer has shown up, you are not sure if the ladder is even leaned against the right wall! Worse, you may not have as much time left as you thought. The book of James is referred to as “the gospel of good works.” It is addressed to Christians. Many of them were extremely poor, even though they lived in a culture full of wealthy people. Some of these poor Christians coveted the luxurious lives of the rich and gave them preferential treatment (see James 2). The impoverished Christians boasted about their plans to become rich: “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money” (James 4:13 MSG). James rebukes them. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:14-15 NIV).

“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:22-24 NIV). The apostle Paul was not afraid of life or death! Either way, he wanted to magnify Christ in his body. No wonder he had joy! Paul wrote today’s verse while sitting in prison. Paul confessed that he was facing a difficult dilemma. To remain alive was necessary for the believers' benefit in Philippi, but to depart and be with Christ was far better. Paul understood that Christ would have him remain in order to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul understood he was chosen … chosen to endure the struggles of this life. A few years ago, I had the privilege to know a wonderful member of my church who fought a heroic battle with cancer. For her funeral meditation, I wrote these words: “A few days ago [the member] and I were alone. I mentioned her suffering, and she said something that left me speechless. She said, ‘I was chosen.’”