I picked through our medicine cabinet today and came across some of my old cancer meds. Boy, did I hate those red bottles! When I saw them, I was immediately transported back to 2009, when I went through six rounds of chemotherapy.

I find these memories coming back whenever my senses hit on something: the smell of the oncologist's office; the smell of the alcohol before they set up the IV; the smell of the chemicals when they flush the IV.

I could go on but it got me to thinking: can we use other things to spark a positive thought or remembrance? Here's a short list that can help jar positive feelings and help you remember God and your faith:

Is there anything else that helps you have positive thoughts?

See that spirally thing above? That little thing changed my life forever. It's a cancer cell dividing -- doing what it shouldn't do. Cancer cells divide and divide and divided ... and divide. In 2009, they started dividing in my body and they took over, crowding into my lymph nodes like freshmen at a frat party. They didn't stop there. They took their party to my spleen and bone marrow. They were about ready to tap their next keg when I called in the big boys: chemotherapy.

Any person that smokes cigarettes should be required to take four infusions of chemotherapy. They wouldn't smoke anymore. The closest image I can put in your mind about how chemotherapy feels is this: imagine getting struck by lightning -- every three weeks. That's a pretty close description and if you had to do radiation treatment, it might be an exact description!

I made it out alive. Then those jokers came back last year, wanting to restart their good times, like alumni coming back on campus to gawk at the freshmen. Surgery took care of them this time, but I imagine they are in me still, looking for the next opportunity to party. I'll be ready for them this time.

I never knew if the chemotherapy would work. I had to come to the realization that I might die. As a Christian, we don't consider that necessarily a bad thing. Heaven is much better than this world. But still, here I am. I faced death so you don't have to. Here's what I learned:

What on Earth are you here for? Better learn the answer to this question fast. You are not an accident. You are here for a reason. God created you for his purposes. Read Purpose Driven Life for a great explanation of why you are here.

It's not about you. No matter what you're going through, there's someone somewhere who has it worse. Children are without water. Sexual exploitation is ruining children's lives. Governments are waging war on the less powerful. Will you stand up for what's right and help your brothers and sisters? Too long we sit around and think of only ourselves. Get the big picture. Live for something bigger and you won't seem so small.

Give God a chance. Many people wait until a crisis strikes before they start praying. And many times, they don't know whom they're praying to. I say give Jesus a chance. Read the New Testament. Don't wait until you are crying out in need before you start talking to God.

Take care of your body. We in the U.S. are killing ourselves with what we eat. Stop eating fast foods and processed foods. Eat real food. Not much. Mostly plants.

"Welcome to the planet. Welcome to existence. ... What happens next? I dare you to move." -- Switchfoot

I spent most of last year fighting cancer and the last thing I wanted to hear or watch was sad movies or songs. I remember participating in the survivors walk at our local Relay for Life event and I hated when they played ballads or sad songs over the PA system.

What I wanted was music and movies that gave me a fighting spirit! Here's a few of the movies that I loved watching and still watch today to get me pumped up:

1. Gladiator - Here's the basic plot: "When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by a corrupt prince, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge." I love the "against all odds" drama of this movie and especially like that he's one man going against a powerful foe. Although you might think the ending a bit of a downer, it's the fight to the finish that I like.

2. Band of Brothers - The fact that this is a true story is the real kicker behind this World War II recap of the heroics of the 101st Airbourne. These guys had to face injuries, extreme cold, lack of basic necessities and even death. What I identify with is that these are real-life people who were not superheroes but more likely your next-door neighbor! They rose to the occasion in a great way, making it through a savage war all the way to Hitler's deserted hideout in the mountains. Truly inspiring and the music is almost as great as the story.

3. Jesus of Nazareth - There are probably different versions of the life of Jesus but I think this one by director Franco Zeffirelli is the best. This movie really brings Jesus to life and does a great job portraying the apostles as people who were struggling to understand what was going on, just like many of us. 

Have any other ones you find inspiring?