A friend had this on line today and it was really nice. God blessed this country with so much. We need to remember to thank God daily for our bounty of gifts.
enjoy this video. It is before my time but the sentiments are the same.
I woke this morning my wife was running about getting ready for work as were my two daughters who current reside here with me. I had done a lot of physical work here yesterday. I was cleaning out draws my closet and assessing what to give to good will. I do not require all of the clothes from my past life dress shirts ties etc. So, I am offering them to the guys in my life to see if they need them first.
I was going through a draw full of cards that were accumulated over 3.5 years. Some cards I do not even remember seeing but no surprise there given where I was at during that time.
Today, I find myself wiped out. So, the house grew silent as everyone left for work and I thought I have got to get up. Before I did that I turned on the television and decided to watch the Chaplet of Saint Michael on Ewtn. I loved this Chaplet and had not seen it for a short while. I was laying in bed listening, praying and my mind went back to when I first viewed this Chaplet. It was 3.5 years ago after cancer changed my life.
I remember laying on the chair that I am currently sitting on and seeing it for the first time. I had a machine beside me on the table that was hooked up to the telephone line and monitored my pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level and took my weight daily. It sent the stats to the doctor etc. if something was off, or I did not respond I received a call.
On this morning a nurse named Robin was sitting to the right of my chair on the sofa. The Chaplet came on and I watched it. In that moment I was so enveloped in the love of God and his mistery. I have no doubt in the existence of angels and the fact that they are working for good to protect our daily journeys.
I say all the time that I know that I am blessed in this moment to be doing this well. And, yet I from time to time grumble that I want to be physically capable to do everything I want. I want to work. Etc.
It is human nature, it is pride it is a host of different things I suppose.
So, I got up came downstairs had breakfast patted my old pooch who laying by my chair and started to think as I sat here. I am in a much better place on these thoughts and matters today then I was 2 or 3 months ago even. There was a turning point of personal recognition to the reality of my life and what limits there are currently specifically surrounding mobility.
I have shared the ups and downs of my journey with you all to show you that we are all on a common journey. Is not always easy. But, I love life.
The primary reason why I am able to bring myself back from the hard moments of this life is Faith.
Knowing that no matter what happens to me today I am okay.
I am not okay because I am all powerful but because I have faith and hope to set my sights on the possibilities around the next bend in the road.
I do not have faith and hope because I am a wise man either. The Holy Spirit is guiding me back to the foot of the cross daily.
Through prayer, God through the Holy Spirit has stripped back the situtuations in my life and I have learned the lessons from each event. Life becomes very dimensional when you begin to understand what’s happening around us and too us.
We become God strong. 3.5 years ago God declared to me when the doctor was going to tell me your dieing. God said that I had cancer, cancer was not from him, and I did not own this cancer.
God was right, God is holding the disease at bay currently. But, I have not had the easiest time either. And, why shouldn’t I suffer a bit, I have learned some of the most beautiful lessons. Plus, I do believe that we can offer up those sufferings to help another. so, I do.
My illness has shown me such beauty and tenderness from so many others. Lessons I would never have understood or known without my affliction.
The bottom line is this. We all have so much in common. We are all part of a large family.
I BEGAN THIS WRITING ON WENESDAY AND THIS IS WHAT MATERIALIZED.
this is an oldie of a song that depicts my relationship with God.
As you read the lyrics and listen to the music I am sure you will see the common bond that we all share with God. Also, the questions and mysteries surrounding that relationship. we are on a quest, searching for the answers.
And yes, life events and cancer have gotten me here …….
Chicago I have been searching for so long
It’s currently 4:46 p.m. On Wednesday afternoon. I got out of bed over 12 hours ago to get to Dana Farber for my blood draw at 6am. I had an MRI done at 7:00 am and saw Dr. David Reardon at 8:00.
A couple of days before this appointment I was a little down because I could not walk the track it was just too hot for me. So my mind wandered and I prepared for my scan and the results. I thought of both possible scenarios and how they might go.
I was not expecting bad news but, I needed to prepare for that possibility. I needed to organize my mind and emotions surrounding it. I owed it to myself, I owe it to my family particularly to my beautiful wife.
Today. I am joyous at the outcome of that scan and the words that Dr. Reardon and I shared. He said you know what this means? I did not respond, I listened and he said you have been out of treatment two years with not the slightest set back or flare up. He just said remarkable.
I simply said thank you Dr. As I pointed up to the heavens. I said God , his machines, medicines and him helping. I thought as I drove home I was back to the beginning with Dr. Reardon again today. The same words were told to both him and his staff when I got my 2nd opinion with him on diagnosis day.
I have at different seasons in my life had a gift from God to receive direct messages and words of knowledge and I have always just spoken them or written them as I felt called to.
Every word that I am writing is in fact the gospel truth. I have written in the past for my church when compelled to. When I became ill God spoke these words to me…. I had cancer, cancer was not from God and I did not own the cancer. I professed this to the Lahey doctors, I professed it to Dana Fabers doctors and staff, I shared this with Brigham and women’s staff and my oncology radiology doctor. Dr. Alexander.
Each one of these beautiful people teared up when I spoke these words. Perhaps they felt that the cancer was effecting me. I have such peace from God only because he gave it to me. Hope, faith and belief that He alone can do Miracles.
As a matter of fact I wrote to the Catholic Church over and over again that it was the time of Miracles before I even got sick.
I sit here tonight like you all 1 of many of a flock. Each one just as valuable ,just as loved by God no matter what.
We are all Miracles by our birth alone.
And, yes I am a Miracle in this moment with a purpose. God is showing everyone the hope of his love. I was reaching for God for years before I got sick. Because he heard my cry for help as I was being ravaged by cancer he grabbed me and picked me up. He put my feet upon this path one not of sand. He has allowed me to witness his words that it is in fact the time of Miracles. Because he proclaims it to be.
I am just a guy who loves life, love my God, my family and friends. That’s right just like you. No matter what your difficulties are these things that plague us are Powerless over God. He is the healer of everything.
NO MATTER WHAT GOD HAS GOT EVERYTHING COVERED. THE NEXT SONG IS AND HAS BEEN VERY MUCH ONE OF MY ANTHEMS OVER THE LAST 4 TO 5 YEARS.
WE CANNOT CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS TO US IN OUR LIVES ALL THE TIME
THIS SONG WAS POINENT TO ME BECAUSE WHITNEY HOUSTON APPEARED TO HAVE IT ALL. LIFE WAS DIFFICULT FOR HER. SHE WAS HUMAN LIKE US ALL. SO, NO JUDGING IS NECESSARY.
THE ONE THING THAT SHE NEVER LOST WAS GOD AND JESUS CHRIST. HE NEVER LEFT HER AND SHE CONSTANTLY RETREATED TO HIM.
PLEASE PRAY FOR …
sUE. POSSIBLE CANCER OF UTERIS
BILL BYPOLAR.
JENN BRAIN CANCER.
JOE BRAIN CANCER
TEDDY BRAIN CANCER
CHRIS LEUKEMIA.
PAUL PANCREATIC CANCER
L WHO IS IN AN ALCOLHOL TREATMENT CENTER
R WHO IS SUFFERING FROM FOOT AND LEG PROBLEMS.
FOR ME TOMORROW IS DANA FARBER DAY SCAN ETC. NOT WORRYING. GODS GOT IT.
FOR JEANNE WHO IS BATTLING CANCER.
FOR ALL OF US, OUR FAMILIES, THIS COUNTRY , THIS WORLD.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.
SO, LETS ALL LOOK TO GOD. 🙂
WHITNEY HOUSTON. ( THE WORDS WERE VERY PROPHETIC TO THIS SONG FOR WHITNEY AS IT TURNS OUT. GOD BLESS HER.
I selected this song today for all of us guy or girl we all feel this way as young ones in a hurry to get out of Dodge and our life situations:) It seems as if it is just part of the course of growing up.
And then on the other hand we as the moms and dads are standing there witnessing the same life events that our parents did with us.
Live reveals so many different situations where we suddenly understand where our parents were coming from. The I sound like my mother or father moments. 🙂
With 2 of my kids out, I hear them talking and speculating on their desires in different ways. But isn’t it beautiful to see a fresh dream born of hope and love materialize before our very eyes.
it is a joy seeing it and hearing it. As, a parent I will pray all the way for their desires. I will always come back to my core value with my kids and those that I love. Like you all.
Keep it simple and put God in the middle of every decision you make, pray on it so nothing is done in haste.
I look at my life and realize the memories are part of the person I am now in this moment. I miss the good old days but I look forward to all of the new experiences that are brought our way. Our children carry us into tomorrow with dreams for families someday too. We as parents and as humans get to become something new everyday through our children and loved ones lives but we also can make that decision to evolve in the likeness to God by volunteering and being there for someone else too. Life doesn’t end as Our kids move forward in their lives it getS richer in texture, it gets to be about your spouse truly for the first time. How beautiful is that? 🙂
I came across this song months ago and remembered it from the Jerry Lewis telethon. I like many of you grew up with Jerry’s Labor Day telethon.
I remember aside for the family cookout, I was glued to the television. The stories of so many of these kids and their families were something that changed me at the core. I saw what true hardship was and I saw what true heroes looked like.
as, I have walked my walk here and life has happened I have attained a richer understanding of this life. Without the cancer diagnosis I certainly would not be the Danny that I am today.
I was in communication with the lovely woman Jenn and her dad Jack recently. Jack was due to see Dr. Reardon at Dana Farber today . Please say a prayer for him.
Without my cancer I would not know them or many others that I have been privileged to meet , talk to, and most importantly pray with and for !
Cancer has given me the opportunity to cut life to the quick, to shed the materialism, to appreciate the moment I am in and to grow in faith with a relationship to my God, my dad.
The beauty is this, God has called me in this moment to help others as they have helped me. As I have struggled God has blessed me over and over again in countless ways. Most important although I am not perfect I believe that and feel that God is well pleased with me. My course is set at this moment toward the destination that I desire when I am called so that is the best blessing from God that I or any of you could ask for.
Another thing I want to share with you is this. I have written in the last month or so that I had an issue walking the track due to a fear that I self inflicted on myself. It is on my blog post a week or so before the Boston marathon.
I have been blue over this because I need to walk, exercise and continue to heal myself. Like I have said before God has given us all the Holy Spirit to feed us and guide us..
About a month ago while driving to my dads for a visit I looked out my window and was thanking God for the beautiful day, my life,everything. My eyes looked off in the distance and I saw the new track in Winchester and saw that it appeared to have a black chain linked fence circling the tracks edge all the way around.
So, today my youngest daughter came with me and we found that the track did in fact have a beautiful fence around it. What this means is this I can walk the track daily. I can walk with my right hand with the fence to my side for security.
So, thank you God and the Holy Spirit. Like I said I caused my own problem with the fear of almost falling and, I have suffered because of it but in time God showed me the way back to the path. I can now walk safely.
Here is the song that I mentioned earlier in this writing remember we will never walk alone.
What ever is going on God and our brothers and sisters have us. Amen
I have a very good friend who is going into treatment for alcohol abuse. The amount of courage it takes a person who suffers from a disease such as this to recognize it and to act to break this cycle is enormous. God bless L.
If you can keep L in your prayers it would be very much appreciated
God knows this person well. So he knows who you are praying for. 🙂
NATALIE GRANT…. HUMAN…
By confronting our struggles head on and calling it by name helps to strip the situation of its power. God can come and heal us.
I have been so very blessed in these days to talk to many people with their own isuues with illness and those dealing with loss of loved ones in their lives.
Today my daughter came in to visit me on her way to work. It was nice seeing her she IS the newlywed 🙂 Stacy said to me I got a text from someone today that has heard about your story and her dad has Glio as well. They are asking me questions I do not know the answers can you talk to them ? I said of course, Gods got me here for some reason. 🙂 We are all vines of the same tree therefore we are connected.
All the while my son was moving out of our family home into his new digs so I had many thoughts mulling around in my head as he went in and out with full arms. I told my daughter absolutely so my daughter told his daughter Jenn to call me . Within 5 minutes my phone was ringing Jenn and her dad Jack were on speaker phone. We shared our stories. I told them they should call Dana Farber and my doctor. Dr. Reardon. I told them that there are all kinds of new experimental clinical trials coming out.
I told them that God had him. I also said cancer is not of God and that Jack did not own it.
Tomorrow is a big question mark for us all, no matter what. but worry not, because the one constant for ever and ever is God. Amen.
I told them about Jenn my other friend with Glio who has twin daughters around 11 and is living her victory as she receives her treatment. She is focused on eachday and its blessings. She is upbeat and joyful. Thats a hero!
Finally, I sent a quick email to my doctors office to let them know that Jenn and Jack would be in touch today. My last line on that shot correspondence was God can do anything ! 🙂
We are all restless beings and are trying to have control of our lives and our circumstances. We cannot control all that happens to us but we do control how we personally respond to it.
So, lets pray for, Jenn, Jack, Scotty, Elaine, Teddy, for Bill for ourselves, our loved ones and our world. Amen.
Just Danny Speaks 