Man on a Mission
Get out of my way if you don’t want to be loved; if you don’t want to receive kindness, if you don’t want to be told over and over again that you are a miracle if you don’t want to be challenged to live life to the maximum.
Saint Paul does a superior job with his vocabulary expressing his mission to brothers and sisters in Corinth. Paul used boxing and running a race as metaphors to explain his mission.
Paul was not shadowboxing; he was looking for the knockout punch. Paul was not jogging he was running to win the race; he wanted first prize; he wanted the trophy.
Paul’s trophy was the heart and soul of people, all people, he loved so dearly.
November 5, 2010, changed Fredric James Crowell’s life forever. Stricken with a white face as Dr. Yates said, “Cancer has returned.”
“It is not possible,” was my only response! “Please retake the test, it must be incorrect!”
The second test confirmed cancer had returned with a vengeance. I went to the bathroom and vomited.
My journey with cancer has not been a solitary experience. 5 beautiful, amazing friends were attacked in a similar manner. Cancer doesn’t play favorites.
These were good people. They all loved life. They all fought to beat the dreaded, dirty Mr. c (he is not even worthy to get a Capital letter).
All 5 of my friends lost their earthly battle to lying, cruel Mr. c.
Jan Severan had over 1,000 people attend her funeral service.
Speaker after speaker said, “Jan was the best person I ever knew; never heard her say one bad word about anyone.”
David Tucker, husband of Bonnie, 31 year NBC employee. Dave was a genius machinist and wood worker. He was among the kindest; servant leader men I know. Dave always kept his word. He died one year after retirement.
Judy Crowell, my brother, Mike’s, wife of 43 years. Never saw anyone die so well. A friend said to Judy, “You must be so sad not to be able to live in your new house.” Judy’s words to this socially impaired friend, “Oh no, I have a much greater upgrade in heaven waiting for me.”
My beloved. Joe Tremarello. Joe T is one of a kind, an Alaska hall of fame coach with a school gym named after him. Favorite Joe T saying, “You can never do too much for him who has done so much for us.”
Marie Ormsby was hit with pancreatic cancer; the same wicked kind that took my mother in 1963. Marie was a warrior. Six huge Chemo procedures over 7 years kept Marie in LIFEBALL. Marie showed me how to fight.
John Couch, toughest handball player I knew. Remarkable husband and dad. His son, Jack a high school coach, is one of best people I know; sister Jenni same mold. John loved and lived Jesus.
Ray Eberle, my attorney had the same disease as me. Told me three things over a 40 year period.
“Until you’re ready to die you’ll never be ready to live.”
“When you find the right woman it is not when you get married but how soon.”
“I never thought it would be so hard to die. Every day I asked the Lord to take me home.”
We are all created in the image of God. Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. All things were created In Him, buy Him, and for Him. He and He alone holds all things together.
Over these past years, I have asked many times, “Why me, Lord?”
Logically I should have been one of the five who are now in heaven. Yet here I am.
There is only one reason that seems logical.
He has a mission for me to do.
It is perfectly clear. It is very easy to understand, impossible to do without the power of the Spirit.
- Love God with all that I am moment by moment.
- Love people; love his creation by being joyful giving thanks and praying without ceasing.
- Live, really live life. Treat each day is a gift, treated like it might be the last of your life, treat it like it’s the best day of your life.