SUCCESS

When I was young I had thoughts about what constituted success. I remember telling someone, as an elementary school student, I would have “Doctor” as a title. I did not know or care in what field I would be “Doctor.”

When I got to middle school I defined success in three stages. First, in college I would be an All-America basketball player. Then, I would turn pro and become a millionaire. Finally, I would be elected President of the United States.

Now as I live in my autumn years (the best and brightest color is yet to come), I reflect on where I have been. I did not become “Doctor.” However, I did earn a Master’s degree. Though I still love basketball, I did not go far with my skills. I did have a college roommate who was a three-time All- America in golf. I did not become a millionaire. Yet I often tell people I am a very rich man, though I have little money. I am thankful I lost interest in politics.

I take solace in two poems about “Success.” It is unclear who the author of the first one was. Apparently it has been erroneously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. A similar but longer poem was written by Bessie Anderson Stanley in 1904. The words in both poems speak encouragement and truth to me.

“What is Success”
by Ralph Waldo Emerson (?)

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one’s self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…
This is to have succeeded.

“Success”
by Bessie Stanley

He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men
and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;
who has always looked for the best in others
and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

Below is a slideshow with descriptions of success.

Success Poem

EASTER 2011 AFTERNOON

This Easter afternoon my wife Cissy and I hosted our children and grandchildren. There were 17 of us present, missing only Evan, who was in Wisconsin with his girlfriend visiting her parents.

We had a delicious lunch, followed by Easter egg hunt, and then playing in the creek and eating dessert by the rope swing.

WHEN I SURVEY

On this day we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross for our sins, mine and yours. I believe with many others that the greatest hymn ever written is “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Isaac Watts wrote the words in 1707 and Lowell Mason the music in 1824.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Today I read an article “Mercifully Forsaken” by Mark Galli. He makes the point that “There is a reason Good Friday is called good, and why we can be thankful when God forsakes us.”

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

After my parents died seven years ago within a few months of each other in North Carolina, I transplanted some of their flowers to our home in Georgia.  Earlier this spring the forsythia bloomed brilliantly.

Yesterday I noticed the lily of the valley has sprouted back out of the ground. Today the first bud of the iris opened.



With the transplanted flowers it is like the beauty and life of my parents continue on as a very tangible reminder to me.  "Bloom where you are planted."

JOURNEY WITH JEHOVAH-JIREH

I have spent a number of hours editing my CaringBridge entries that I am adapting for an ebook. As I continue adding posts, I hope to publish it in September, after the critical one hundred days following my bone marrow transplant. My working title is “Conquering Cancer by Grace” and the sub-title is “Journey with Jehovah-Jireh.”

Grace is a great word for me in conquering cancer. For years I have tried to plumb the meaning of this word “grace.” I have settled on some words by the Apostle Paul that I believe describe grace. Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.” I think those words get at the meaning of grace.

The subtitle, “Journey with Jehovah-Jireh,” has to do with a name of God. The name Yahweh, or Jehovah, is known as the sacred name of God in the Hebrew Scriptures. When a Bible translation has LORD in all capital letters, it signifies Jehovah.

Other descriptions of God’s activity give fuller revelation of His character. In the first book of the Bible is the account of Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. At just the right moment, God provided a ram instead. Abraham called this place Jehovah-Jireh, “The-Lord-Will-Provide” (Genesis 22:14).

Cissy and I have seen God provide for our needs over and over again in the last year in our cancer ordeal. This journal is a testimony to our great God. We have learned much during this experience. We find God's provisions are always greater than our problems.

In a wonderful way God has provided a bone marrow donor for me. My brother and sister had their blood tested, but were found not qualified. Several friends submitted mouth swabs to the National Bone Marrow registry, but did not match, as well as none others in the registry.

Each of my three sons, Bill, Seth, and Evan, willingly and gladly volunteered to have their blood tested. The youngest, Evan, was chosen to be an acceptable donor for me.

Last Wednesday Evan had more blood drawn for further testing. He also donated two pints of blood that will be banked for him. On May 5 he will be put under general anesthesia. Some of his bone marrow will be withdrawn from his hip and will be transfused to me. Then Evan will receive back his two pints of blood that were banked.

Silver and gold and all the money in the world can not give me back my health. My physical life will be redeemed by Evan’s blood, as his stem cells graft into my bone marrow in the weeks following transplant. No longer will my blood type be what it is now. My body will adopt the blood type of Evan.

The power of blood to give life was declared in the Bible a few thousand years ago. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement" (Leviticus 17:11).

At times Judaism and Christianity have seemed like bloody faiths to me. The writer of Hebrews in the New Testament declared, "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." In my own situation of needing blood, it makes more sense to me now.

The Apostle Peter wrote,”knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1Peter 1:18, 19). The writer of Revelation adds, Jesus Christ “loves us and released us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5).

By having my physical life redeemed with a bone marrow transplant, I understand more clearly how Christ has redeemed my spiritual life. The significance of this Easter season has a fresh meaning for me.

The passage in Genesis with father Abraham and son Isaac from which we get the phrase “Jehovah-Jireh” has new meaning has well. God has provided my own son in the flesh to give me new life. Wow! Thank you for your sacrifice, Evan!

This weekend Evan is outside of Vancouver, skiing on Whistler Mountain, site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Pray with me that he gets home safe! I need that guy!!!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT?

I enjoyed watching the last round of the Masters Golf Tournament last Sunday afternoon. With eight players jostling for the lead over the last nine holes, it made for an exciting finish. Charl Swartzel, the winner, told how he focused for a few weeks of special practice before the tournament.

I am reminded of the old saying, “practice makes perfect.” Some years ago I heard someone correct the fallacy of that statement. The commenter stated, “only right practice makes perfect.” If you keep practicing the same mistakes you will get the same result.

In the movie, “Stroke of Genius,” Bobby Jones’ caddy at the St. Andrews golf course watched Bobby make the same error repeatedly as he tried to get out of a sand trap. The caddy offered a definition of insanity: “doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.”

People can fall into the same trap in regard to their spirituality. I call them “Avis” Christians in remembrance of that car rental company’s old slogan, “we try harder.” The Bible informs us that no matter how hard we try, we can never win God’s approval by our efforts. “`Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

For that reason I believe religion is one of the greatest foes to true spirituality. Somehow people think that if they are “religious” it will win points with God. Donald Trump’s responses in an interview this week reflect that attitude. In reply to a question concerning his views about God, the Donald replied:

“I'm a Protestant, I'm a Presbyterian. And you know I've had a good relationship with the church over the years. I think religion is a wonderful thing. I think my religion is a wonderful religion … I go to church as much as I can. Always on Christmas. Always on Easter. Always when there's a major occasion. And during the Sundays, I'm a Sunday church person. I'll go when I can.”

Am I against religion, you might ask. I draw a great distinction between religion and Christianity. Religion is the efforts of humans to reach God. Christianity is a relationship offered by God by reaching to humanity through Jesus Christ.

The video and graphics in the right column illustrate the point that I am trying to make that it is God’s reach, not the efforts of humans, that will bring us to perfection.

The 5th Quarter

"The Fifth Quarter" movie premiered last week and was released in Atlanta theaters this week. I look forward to seeing this movie today. It features the true story of a local Cobb County family. I am thankful the impact of this story had on my alma mater Wake Forest, and their great football season in 2006 that led to the ACC championship and Orange Bowl appearance. Most of all, I am thankful for the Abbate family sharing their story of tragedy and grief that is being used to bless people in such a powerful way.


Click here to go to the movie website.

HEAVEN'S RAIN

Two and a half months ago I received an email telling me about the movie, “Heaven’s Rain,” that was being released. I knew the theme was forgiveness after a horrific family tragedy. For some reason I kept putting off opening the links that would tell me more about the story. The fact that the story involved former missionaries to Brazil piqued my interest, since I myself served as a missionary in Brazil for a few years.

Finally, tonight I spent a couple of hours looking at all the video and story links on the movie website. To see a number of television interviews, speeches by Brooks Douglass, and the movie trailer, click on the  media page of “Heaven’s Rain” website. It's a powerful story that honors God.

Below is the ABP news release about the story.

CHARLIE SHEEN & THE SORROW OF SINKING

Charlie Sheen is sinking ... fast. Some might say that Charlie has been sinking, or already been sunk, for a long time. I expect all of us know someone who is sinking or has sunk.

Especially memorable and sorrowful are people who in the past won our respect or admiration. It may be a teacher, preacher, athlete, business person, or even a family member. It is well possible that someone who is reading this article right now is sinking, and perhaps nobody even knows it. The truth is, it could happen to any of us. "But by the grace of God, go I."

This morning I read a devotional sermon by George H. Morrison entitled, "Beginning to Sink." It is based on events in the life of the Apostle Peter. The text is from Matthew 14:30, "Beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." I have edited and condensed the sermon and written it below.

CAN ANYBODY RELATE TO THESE CARTOONS?





SEVEN SPECIFIC PRAYERS

This week the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention elected Tom Elliff to be the president to lead their organization. The IMB has over 5,000 missionaries working around the world. I was in the same missionary orientation group with Tom in 1981.

Tom Elliff asked people to pray for him and his wife Jeannie in seven specific ways. I think his request is one we all could adopt for our lives.

1)  we will have a constant awareness that we are ambassadors for Christ;

2)  we will live before God with pure hearts;

3)  we will experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit;

4)  we will display the gifts and graces of the Spirit;

5)  never would we unwittingly place in the hands of the adversary something that he might use to mock our Savior;

6)  God will protect our family physically, morally and spiritually; 

7)  God will keep us faithful to the vision.

What is the vision for your life?

UP & DOWN

I’ve had some “ups and downs” in the last week. After two days of chemotherapy last Thursday and Friday, I spent three days mostly in bed feeling pretty weak. I had forgotten how puny and miserable I can feel with the effects of chemo.

The plus side of the down time is that it forces and motivates me to spend time to reflect and meditate on my life. I find that I regularly need to practice circumcision of soul, that is, cutting away or removing things in my life that are unnecessary and a distraction to accomplishing my purposes and objectives.

WONDER & BLOOM OF THE WORLD

In my profile I state that one of my interests is the wonder of nature. I also add that I am a follower of Christ. Today I read a devotional by George Morrison that deals with Jesus and the message of nature. It is copied below for your reading and reflection.

GOOD MOVIES

I am hooked on Netflix. Last summer one son gave me a three month gift subscription while I was undergoing chemotherapy. Then when I got home from the hospital another son gave me a Playstation. Now I stream Netflix movies through the Playstation on my big screen TV.

It is so easy and quick to watch great movies with this modern technology. Generally I watch a few movies each week, if not one every night. Below are trailers for my favorite three from the last week.

BE NICE!

Ludlow Porch passed away last week. Ludlow was a well-known radio host in the South. One of the ways he delighted his audiences was by concocting wild stories that were so ridiculously funny, but seemed "almost" believable.

He was a master story teller and humorist who harkened back to good old country living. He was the author of humor books such as "Who Cares about Apathy" and “We’re All in This Alone.” Ludlow’s stepbrother, Lewis Grizzard, could also spin a funny yarn.

Ludlow always ended his show with his famous line: “Whatever else you do today, you find somebody to be nice to!” I had the opportunity to be around Ludlow when I was a chaplain at Big Canoe Chapel, and he and his wife were members. Ludlow was always friendly and genial. Though the story below is no prank or silly fiction, I think Ludlow would like the “be nice” theme.

CALF PATH

I have gone down a lot of roads in my life journey. Long ago as a senior in college I found the narrow road with a small gate that Jesus says leads to life.

Along the way there have been byways, highways, expressways, and more than a few detours. I have stood at many intersections and pondered which road to take. Sometimes I have felt like the traveler in Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.”

HITCHHIKING TO A BLIZZARD

This week a great snow storm is covering the lives of 100 million Americans. Forecasters predicted it would rival the Great Chicago Blizzard of January 26, 1967. I remember well the blizzard of ’67. My friend, Jim Sheffer, and I hitchhiked over 700 miles to arrive in Chicago the afternoon before the blizzard dumped 23 inches of snow in 24 hours.

AMBASSADOR

In some ways, my life has been "on hold" for the last year due to the disease of lymphoma. After rounds of chemotherapy and stays in four hospitals, I am looking forward to having a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.  Yet even after a donor is found, it will be about six weeks before a transplant.  Then there will be at least a 100 days of close followup. Nevertheless, I feel like I have a new lease on life now. I want to be about my Father's business.

I had some new business cards printed this week. I could have printed a card that said, "No job. No title. No office. No income. No responsibility."  But that card would not be true to my calling and responsibility.

SNOW DAY

The weather forecast came true!  This morning we awoke to a winter wonderland.  After watching the birds gather at the feeder I took a stroll around our property and took some photos. Snow is so peaceful and relaxing!

Phill & Evan's Most Excellent Adventure

I have blogged on this site very little in the last six months.  Instead I have posted on my CaringBridge website. The blog below was originally posted on that site a few days ago on December 30, 2010.

At the moment I am sitting in a recliner at the Kennestone Cancer Center receiving chemotherapy. This is the last of four weekly infusions of Rituxin. I like a one drug out-patient infusion much better than week-long hospital stays with a spectrum of drugs! I have been in the hospital for seven weeks in the last seven months.

Most recently, I was admitted to two hospitals in Italy and New York for almost eight days over the last two weeks. Let me try to update what happened. This entry will be more like a blog than just a medical report. If you want to be spared the following read, the short story is that I am alive and fairly well.