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Five Stones


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Have you seen Freddy the Pharisee?

I love this breakdown that Rick Warren give in his daily newsletter about those Christians who "wrongly think following Jesus means they have to become judgmental and legalistic." Here's what he wrote:

"Often well-meaning and misguided people can cause us to avoid God because of their fanaticism. Here are the types of religious fanatics I've observed over the years:

  • Freddy the Pharisee: Rigid, narrow-minded, and legalistic, he has a rule for everything. His favorite word is "don't." And it's only natural for some people to fear they may become just like that if they become a Christian. But Jesus called people like Freddy the Pharisee, "blind guides," saying, "You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24 NLT).
  • Susie Self-righteous: Holier-than-thou attitude and judgmental of others, her favorite phrase is "Thank God, I'm not like you!" Am I going to become like that if I become a Christian? Jesus told the story of two men praying; one self-righteous and one humbled by his failures: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 18:14 NLT).
  • Billy Bible-thumper: He's an obnoxious and overzealous crusader. His favorite phrase is "Turn or burn!" Yet, God's plan for bringing us home to him is full of love, grace, and sacrifice: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17 NIV).
  • Pauline Praise-eluia: She can't speak without religious clichés. Everything is a miracle or the Devil did it. She's put her brain on the shelf. But God doesn't want you to stop thinking when you become a Christian; in fact, he wants to give you the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV).

"These are stereotypes, but they represent people who have abandoned their relationship with Jesus to instead embrace a religion. Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life [not religion] and have it to the fullest!" (John 10:10)."

So true! Is there another type that he didn't mention?


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Michael Douglas, Cancer, and Me

Last year, when I heard the words, "you have cancer," the world as I knew it changed forever. Like Michael Douglas, I was classified stage 4, but I had non-Hogdkins lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Regardless of our difference in cancers, the end result was the same: chemotherapy and facing the fact that death could be a possibility.

I did six rounds of chemotherapy last summer. It was like getting struck by lightning every three weeks! Those drugs affect every part of your being. And like Michael Douglass said on Letterman, each successive round knocks you down further.

During that time, I read The Bible extensively. It was my lifeline because it provided me with the wisdom to make it through mentally and spiritually and it let me know that if I believe in Jesus, I would go to heaven if I did die.

I was declared in remission on Sept 3. The cancer came back in June but I had surgery to remove the only lymph node that was cancerous. I'm still battling it one year later! When I read news about someone with cancer, I can certainly identify.

I would encourage anyone with cancer to begin to read The Bible, talk to a Christian or go to church. It will change your life! You can start reading here. You can read more about my story here. 

Chemo

Another round of chemo last year.