“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again.” John 10:17

Good Morning and Happy Happy New Year!!!! Well 2021 has officially started. Will be an interesting year, but I would suggest, that is true every new year. Life is fascinating, predictable, unpredictable, full of opportunity and challenges. That is true every day and every year. No reason to believe 2021 will be any different.

Had some valuable time with a couple of Dr.s the last day of 2020. Got my 12 metal staples out of my head and that was a wonderful and pretty painless process. 2 of the Dr.s I met with both really encouraged having surgery on my brain tumor and getting it removed. They were both good, intelligent men and seemed to care about me. The third Dr, a female, Dr. Patel was a little different. She is my neurosurgeon, she has cut into my head, and I have met with her several times. She is an amazing women, person, and gifted Dr. She is part of my focus today as I share a few ideas.

Here is a big idea. “Your faith in love doesn’t determine love’s power, but it does determine whether or not you will experience that power.” What happens in your life when you can honestly say, “you experience love?” Love is a little tricky in that it can absolutely create some deep feelings, but it is rooted in way more than simply, “feelings.” Feelings can be a little deceptive and influenced by so many different factors. Scripture says that “God is love.” It is part of his character. The more you and I walk and live in that truth, God’s love will slowly start to flow out of our own lives.

“Putting love first means knowing that God supports you in creating the good, the holy and the beautiful. It means knowing that you are on the earth for a purpose, and the purpose itself will create opportunities for its accomplishment.” I believe this is true, and I experience this reality most days. What really has helped me over the years is when I experience this truth in others!

Dr. Patel is a very gifted, talented and educated woman who works with people who have brain tumors and brain tumors that often are terminal. What has been amazing is not simply her talent, but how quickly I experienced a spoken and unspoken, simple love for me that was bigger than my brain tumor. She has been incredibly honest with me, she has given me both sides of each scenario and has acknowledged it’s my decision and she will support me 100% any way I go. This really is unique. But I think it models beautifully how her biggest focus is how can I first, love and support this person and second give him the best medical care possible.

In my work as a pastor and counselor, over the years I have sat with people who are dying, people who have lost, parents, children, spouses, friends and family members. I eventually learned, I can’t fix that. I can hold space with them, listen, encourage and simply love them. It matters, doesn’t fix or relieve their very real pain, but loving others does give some comfort and creates a space for them to ultimately experience the reality of a God, who even in the darkest moments of life, loves!

I can not express how grateful I am for Dr. Patel. She has consistently sat with me and held space. She has shown me respect, love and honor. She has forgotten more about brain cancer than I know, but she has empowered me to decide what is best for me. She will support me 100% any way I go.

So…. there will be no more surgery. I will start radiation with chemotherapy in the next week or two. That will go on for 6 weeks. I will also do an additional 12 months of chemotherapy. That will simply involve taking a pill each night. We will follow up every couple of months with MRI’s blood work etc. No one knows today if I will have 6 months of life or 2 years, but I will take whatever I have and I am committed to finish life well.

Following the path of love leads to trust, to deeper relationships and therefore to a greater probability of further good. My internal abundance is ultimately the source of my external abundance. Love really does make me wake up each morning with a sense of purpose and a desire to find a simple way to love others.

Dr. Patel is loved and of great value. She has been such a source of strength and encouragement for me in this process. I hope you each have some people in your life that have loved you well. A simple reminder today. I believe the God of creation loves you. His love is not rooted in a life with no pain or problems. His love is rooted in who He is and who you are as His.

Love makes me wake up in the morning with a sense of purpose and most days a focus on. How can I let someone else know today they are loved? You are loved and of great value. Go enjoy your day and find a simple way to be an extension of God’s love. It makes a little difference. Dr. Patel, thanks for making a difference in my life!!!!!

Peace,