A Journey Through Cancer

Do you know someone with cancer?

Your answer is probably yes.

My answer is yes.

Quite a few dear friends of mine are walking that journey alongside a loved one. Recently, for me, it's my precious sister's husband. Though we are many miles apart, I have joined her in her journey. I can sincerely and honestly say I don't know completely how she feels, but to use her exact words; "Though people cannot really understand how I feel and my experience in this, those that do, their compassion runs deep". I told her I could not have said it more beautifully. Walking through cancer not only affects the person with it, but also the entire family and a host of friends.

COMPASSION.

Zechariah 7:9 says this:

Thus says the LORD of hosts;

Execute true justice,

Show mercy and compassion

Everyone to his brother.

My sister has a personality that does not see a stranger and always sees the brighter side of everything. She's beautiful, funny, encouraging, strong, and mischevious. Spending time with her is to be reminded of the joy of life. I miss shopping with her and finding great bargains. We always had so much fun that people were drawn to what we were doing and wanted in on it. This is not to say that she does not have sad days, she does, but she does not plan on them. They just happen at the most odd times and places and she goes with that.

I want to tell you about a party they had at their house a month or so ago. They have two incredible sons that wanted to do the cooking. The menu at their cook out is usually elk, venesin, salmon, fresh vegetables from their garden, homemade zuzzini bread and homemade salsa from mild to spicy. Then of course, since this was a neighborhood afair there was even more of a variety added to this culinary feast.

You see in their neighborhood there are several who are courageously going through cancer treatments, side affects and healing. My sister wanted very much to bring all these families together to support one another and encourage one another. To give the neighborhood an awareness of eachother and what it means to stop in and say things like "I'm going to the store. Is there anything you need? or How are you feeling today? or How about a cup of coffee or lunch or simply visiting for a bit?

They expected about 30 people or so. They ended up with 75 people! There was plenty of food and drink because they don't skimp on their cook outs and everyone was more then generous when they arrived with thier favorite dishes to share.

Since my brother-in-law began cancer treatments like many, he began loosing his hair----his "blond locks". He is one of these guys that has kept his blond hair and same pant size since highschool. My sister and I can only imagine that! They married as high school sweethearts and have remained the same.....now in their mid sixties. She asked him one day if he wanted her to take him to get his head shaved. Then she said "I think we can do it". His reply was just the two of us? Somewhat skeptical, but they did shave his head about a week before the cook out. What followed next was their two sons showing up with shaved heads as well.

As if that wasn't touching enough. During the party at their house there were 12 men lined up to have their heads shaved! Their daughter-in-law was there and happened to be the experienced "shaver of heads". My sister said it was the most amazing thing to see. I don't know about you, but I would love to have been there. Moments like that are precious aren't they!? Time spent loving one another and cheering each other on causes the heart to press on in difficult times.

Crossing your path today

will be someone that needs

a kind word and prayer.

Don't miss it.

Much love to my family and friends who are on this same journey.
Denise Sherriff
November 8, 2011

Wonder about it then Ponder it.

Sometimes..................well, that's not true. I should say "a Lot". A lot of the time I find myself wondering about the "stuff " of life. Does God want me to do this or that, now or later, with or without, you know, things like that.......................

There's a freshness in "wondering"

when we untie it from the strings of doubt.

Then it becomes a state of

"pondering" in real freedom.

I find that soon after that, excitement and

joy arrive for what God has for us.

Look out your window of opportunity

with eyes that really desire to see.

It's not a matter of wondering

"if" God has something for you.

It's a matter of capturing the vision

of what He most assuredly has for you.

Now, you can "ponder" about the "Wonder" of God.

Wonder-Full

Denise Sherriff

7-14-11

THE GIVER'S HEART

When we pray for our own needs, it's good practice to listen for the prayers of others.

THE GIVER'S HEART

Two things happen when we share:

ONE, it's passing on something

we don't need so much of,

AND

TWO, it's receiving something

we might need more of.

It's an exchange taking place

and often we don't even realize the power in it.

Denise Sherriff
6-9-11

"THE SIGN DIDN'T SAY IT WAS A DEAD END"

I wrote this as I have been thinking about and praying for a Sister church. I want to describe it respectfully. It had lost direction and its light had grown dim, tired and discouraged as had many of the people in the surrounding area. I believe its light needed and desired to be remembered and encouraged to shine again. It is indeed the people that need hope so that they can be that renewed light. With Gods hand upon this vision there is new life. As we reach out and extend an invitation to welcome eachother we will make a difference. I believe all of us do at times find ourselves at a point where we reflect and ponder our personal history. For some.............. the joy and pain are not respectful of the other.

"The Sign Didn't Say It Was a Dead End"

So where are you today?

If only you had chosen right instead of left in your road of life.
If only you would have chosen right instead of wrong, and
If only you knew the difference.
If only you had one more chance.
If only you would have done this instead of that.
If only you would have listened.
If only you had given in.
If only you had more time.
If only they knew...........
If only they hadn't given up on you.
If only you had not given up on them.
If only the hurt wasn't so bad.
If only you believed you could have.
If only you could forget.
If only you didn't hate.

If only you had known what to do with the pain.
If only you knew how to find joy.
If only you could take it back.
If only you could have known the outcome.
If only you could have worked harder.
If only you could have forgiven.
If only you belonged.
If only you were loved.
If only you understood what pride does.
If only you knew how to really love.
If only you knew how to set yourself apart from harmful things.
If only you were encouraged by those that said they loved you.
If only you had a future to look to.
If only your life were different.
If only.................

Jesus is the author of dead end streets.
and that might sound odd.

Let's look at it from a different prospective......,
than the one you might have right now.

First of all, because He is your only hope when you get there......,
your ONLY hope.

He has allowed you to reach this place
and He is meeting you there.

He has brought you to an end so that you can find a new beginning,
so that you can find life...........at the impossible dead end street.

It's still a place for YOU to choose which way you will turn.
Look around and consider your next move
and your innermost thoughts.

This is not about anyone else right now.

Choosing Him you will experience the embrace
of the One there is no equal to.

He will take the remnant of you
and begin to transform and restore you.......fully.

No, the sign didn't say it was a dead end.
That was then and this is now.

Where are you today?

He is your rescue.
Jesus.......IS your rescue.


Denise Sherriff
3-30-11

"TWISTED AND TWEAKED, YOU ARE HIS VERY OWN"

I have been thinking a lot lately about why people think the grass is always greener on the other side. It isn't. We don't know what the "behind the scene" looks like in another persons life. When I think I've have got it soooo bad and I think life stinks, all I have to do is look around. Some body's probably got me beat. I don't mean to disrespect or diminish any sincerely difficult trial anyone is having. I just know that when I am going through a difficult time and it's just awful, I am made aware of another person's trial that is waaaaaaaay worse than mine. Unimaginable even. Like I really had no idea! Sooooo, try to get what He wants you to get out of a particular season so you can move on and not go there again. The grass really wasn't greener when you got there was it?

"TWISTED AND TWEAKED, YOU ARE HIS VERY OWN"

God will put a twist to your life.

He will take your life to a new level.

He will take you out to bring you in,

He will give you boundaries to set you free,

He will close your eyes so you can see,

He will challenge you to strengthen you,

He will set you apart to include you,

He will make the old like new again,

He will cause you to hear what is silent,

He will be your breath when you can't remember to breathe,

He will show you life out of death,

He will unlock creativity when you can't find the key,

He will make the hard thing to do, the best thing to do.

He will make a stranger your friend

and He will show you what you have not seen.

Another term is "tweak" your life.

He will give you that "edge".

He will SET you on edge even.

When he is finished with you, your tag (your life) will not say

made in Japan or Made in Taiwan,

it won't even say made in USA.

It will say made in Heaven by God.

Think about that.

You were made in heaven by the hand of God.

When you receive Jesus Christ as your savior

and when all is said and done,

you will return to spend eternity in your original home.

Where you were made, is the place you will return.

You were birthed from the bosom of God

and you will return to the bosom of God, your father.

Often we are taken back to the book of Genesis,

the beginning.

It's a way of getting a grip on reality.

It will help you to see what has hindered you

from living your life the way God intended you to live it.

What God's Word said in the beginning is true forever.

The lies of the enemy throughout your days

will distract from God's intention for you.

But God is an event-full God, meaning he loves events.

He loves your life.

That's why he will not leave you

to live out your adventure alone and without intervention.

He will cause you to remember who you were created to be.

If you really don't know,

He will bring to life that which he birthed in you.

He will uncover that which is deep in your heart.

He will breathe life into you.

So in getting to know, trust and love your father,

get ready for a wild ride.

Embrace the twists and turns, the mountains and valleys,

the storms and events that enable you to live

on purpose and for a purpose.

Let the God given dynamics of your life explode

here on this earth, right now, right where you are.

If you are a "label" person,

please let it be the Label of God you wear.

Twisted and Tweaked,

You are His very own.

Denise Sherriff

4-1-11

A Special Happy Birthday

I wrote this for my best friend. We now live on opposite ends of the US........which is too far apart for best friends. If there is someone in your life that distance keeps you apart, you will understand what I mean. Time spent with those we love is valuable.

It causes me to think of people that live close to each other but don't spend time together because of many reasons I suppose. Maybe you're angry with one another, or you've been hurt by them in some way or time....... simply....... just.......... slips........ away.........

Let me say this to you, today is a good day to really consider what you can do to mend a broken relationship, especially if you live close enough to personally do so.

KINDRED SPIRITS

As time would have it's way,

I am thankful for days past.

As time would have it's way,

The very present is precious

.As time would have it's way,

God grants me a future.

None of which are more dear to me,

than the time I spend with you.

Happy Birthday!

Denise Sherriff

2-12-11