SIGN IN A MALL: I want to ice fish . . . as soon as I'm done beating cancer.

The phrase accompanies a picture of an elderly man, wearing a fur cap, holding up a fish. The purpose of the ad is to promote a local cancer center at the hospital.

I look at it and wonder if the old man is still alive. Did he beat the cancer? Or was he just a model, posing for the photo shoot, having nothing more than a few arthritic aches and pains? Patient or model, from age alone, are in the twilight years of their lives, disease being the main indicator of how many days they have left.

Cancer is from a Latin word for "crab." The Greek physicians likened the crab's appearance to a tumor with swollen veins. The astrological sign Cancer seems to also take its cue from the crab, meaning hard or tough, like the crab's shell, indicating a personality that was determined or resolute.

We usually see cancer as all bad news, a destroying of life. And life is what we're here for. Unlike other diseases that can strike quickly and hasten death, cancer can develop unseen for long periods, then proceed to kill with great suffering beforehand.

I don't totally grasp why God allows diseases. Perhaps to see how we will deal with them. But why innocent children? Maybe to see how we will accept, or handle, their suffering and possible death. Still, it seems cruel. So we're faced many times over with the age-old question: Does he exist? If he does, then why allow disease, hatred and all other forms of evil that we encounter or observe?

For myself, I can only respond with the realization that I must trust him. Millions of souls enter and leave this world every year. My life is important to me, but I'm just a drop in a very large ocean. How can one life have any significance? That's where trust and hope come in.

I will hope in a creator, because I believe (another good word) that I see his work around me. I seem to hear his voice within me. I don't have to sort out the difficulties of this world. I only have to trust. Just as a child must trust, and the parent seeks wisdom in order to provide nurturing --- the great earthly pattern of a heavenly design.

The Apostle Paul writes, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (I Corinthians 15:19). We weren't created just to limp through life, or to hang on for the next one. We are to live it, day by day, moment by moment. This is God's glory. Do your work, raise your family, take a hike, love your neighbor, ice fish ...

Eternity is where life goes on when this fragile shell wears out. God has set his Spirit in the hearts of men. Listen and live.

SEEN ON A CHURCH SIGN: THE DEVIL LIKES TO FISH IN TROUBLED WATERS

I'm still pondering over how much Satan (or his minions) is directly involved in our lives. Just as I feel that the hand of God is on me most days, there are those few days that it seems that an evil force is at work. What is more obvious to me is how the current condition of my heart influences the work of good or evil in my being.

In Jesus' Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) we see the seed (gospel/good news) being spread, and various types of soil or terrain receiving it. The results are little produce, struggling plants or a thriving crop. Jesus explains later that the outcome is predicated on the condition of the ground (heart) when the seed (word) is spread.

The analogy of troubled waters is similar in that it is difficult to stir up calm waters unless there is a turbulence already at work, even if just below the surface. God and Satan both rely upon us to contribute to our own spiritual growth or death. The devil can't make me do it, and Christ reminds us that we are yoked together with him --- that is, he won't carry the load alone.

So what will I do about this struggle for my soul? I will guard my heart. I will ask for wisdom (James 1:5). I will resist Satan. And, overall, I will make every effort to love. I can do no other if I want to survive.

If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:23

What a wonderful teaching! What an amazing arrangement! We simply do what he tells us, and we have complete fellowship with the God of the universe. The teacher is Jesus. His teacher is God. We are the student-children that he has created.

As I see it, there are at least two areas of teaching that we should address. One is the instruction that we receive from the Bible. While the teachings of Christ in the Gospels are of primary importance, we must also glean spiritual truths from both the Old Testament writings, as well as the New Testament letters. Even though much of scripture is clouded by human manipulation, we can still dig out gems of truth from the human experience.

Secondly, we must listen to the voice within us --- and follow. God begins with the simple instructions, like "sweep the floor" or "give a hug." As we become more comfortable with these brief commands, he adds greater truths and broader revelations. Jesus said, "To him who has, will be given more."

As easy as it sounds, it is certainly not free from obstacles. Like our pride. Or our enemy, the Devil. We may often be swallowed in confusion, rather than clear direction. When this comes, and it will, we must do as Peter did, who wanted to walk on water, but began to sink. We must not take our eyes off of Jesus. Instead, we should reach out, and take his hand.

Listen to his voice. Do what he says. Experience the joy of obedience. Only then can we be at home with the Father.

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:31, 32

How many who declare themselves as followers of Christ really follow him? How well do I follow him? It is not enough to merely know about him; we must know him. Even in our daily lives, when we want to get to know someone, we must spend time with them, question them and allow them to enter into our space.

Whether we choose to accept it or not, we all have a tendency to follow someone. This is because we are influenced by their words and lives. That's not necessarily a bad thing if the one being followed is an example of the truth. The Apostle Paul challenges us to imitate him because of his way of life in Christ. Jesus tells us to follow him so that we can learn about his Father and our Father.

A clear warning exists to not blindly follow someone who maintains a "truth" that is unverifiable or makes no sense. Depending on the character of the person, we may trust what they say about themselves. But we must weigh carefully what they say about heavenly matters. They may also interpret the Bible in a way that doesn't quite track with common sense. Especially beware of new "revelations."

Jesus' teaching was clear and concise. It was the perfect guidebook for living this life. When we accept and follow this truth, then we are free to share what is in our hearts. He gave his life to get this message to us. We must devote ours to pass the message on.

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 16:27

I'm not so sure any more when this event will happen. It sounds like an official closing out of history, with Jesus sorting everything out and judging those of us who are still standing on That Day.

I'm less concerned about the when and where as I am about the what. What kind of reward will it be? What do I have to do to get one? What happens to me if I don't merit a reward? Why are most Christians down on works, when this certainly seems like the basis on which we get the rewards?

What I can get from the verse, however, is that he wants us to be found doing good. His Spirit (Christ/God) within us reminds us daily what is good and what we can personally do about it. This is called obedience. God doesn't want a disobedient child. Nor does he want an apathetic child. He wants an active child, who goes about doing his Father's business.

It seems to me that the active Christian life consists of three things. First, we must have an open line to God. Along with brief "Thank You's" and "Help Me's" throughout the day, we should consciously plan a quiet time to be with Him and to share whatever is laid upon our heart. If there is nothing to share, then we should just listen. His Spirit will pray for us.

Secondly, we should obey. God is constantly telling us what we should embrace and what we should avoid. We must always be aware that Pride is the greatest enemy of perfect obedience.

Overall, we must love. We are to look upon creation as He sees it. What he has made is very good, even though it is often tainted with evil. He plans the redemption of everything. We must help Him in this work. That's what obedient children do.

But he [Christ] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
II Corinthians 12:9

The Apostle Paul was referring to his thorn in the flesh, yet not identifying just what it was. It seemed to be some physical or mental deficiency that annoyed him. Having asked God to remove it on three occasions, he was now ready not only to accept it, but to embrace it. However, in the same passage he reports that someone (very likely himself) received a great revelation and was caught up to paradise.

Strength in weakness is a paradox in which one must be accepted in order to gain the other. The natural tendency, though, is to regard weakness as a negative. We're taught that only the strong survive, only the aggressive make it in this world, and "do unto others before they do it unto you."

To be sure, who would naturally welcome insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties, as listed in verse 10? If we are truly honest, we must admit that weakness is the natural condition for insecurity, sadness, depression and a troubled spirit. So what does the verse mean?

It may very well be a dramatic antithesis for pride, which boasts of strength, accomplishments, beauty and position in life. It's less of wallowing in weakness, but rather recognizing that our focus is directed to the One who gives us strength. We must realize that all that we have can be taken away from us at any moment. We see it every day. Life itself is fleeting. My 60-year-old body can hardly keep up with my 20-year-old mind.

If we are founded in the fact that God is our strength, then we understand that any supposed weakness, by the world's standards, is used by Him to sanctify us. It is also used to draw our attention to Him and to keep our pride at bay. Our lives consist of constant reassessments of who we are and why we are here. As our relationship with our Creator grows deeper, we are less likely to dwell on the meaning of life. We simply live it. His grace is sufficient.