Sunday, June 8, 2008

Johnny's Thoughts

This has been a really good weekend. Johnny talked to many old friends from the past as well as his good friends today. He felt good Saturday. We have had a wonderful peace about it all this weekend. He had a hearty appetite and so far has had no side effects of nausea. Last night the three of us sat together and talked about our journey through this healing experience and things we wanted to say on the blog. We listened to his favorite songs. Here is Johnny's own thoughts and feelings as told to us during our conversations. He wanted to let everyone know how his faith is sustaining him through all this:

"Even though I have a bad diagnosis, I still give thanks to the Lord for His blessings everyday. No matter how bad it gets everyday, it is important for every human being to thank the Lord for your blessings. I was baptized and raised in the oldest Baptist church in Florida in my hometown of Campbellton, Florida. I was in church every Sunday morning and evening and on Wednesdays in "training union." My Mother Bernice Skipper and Grandmother Lillian Norsworthy made sure of that, and it was the greatest gift they ever gave me.

There is a sign in Jackson county I always used to pass on my travels back and forth, after I left home and ventured out into the world. It read "Jesus loves you anyway." Through my ups and downs and detours in life that sign always reminded of the way back home to my family and to the Lord.

I thank Him for being here.
I thank Him for being his child.

My message to each of you is, no matter how rough it is, you were brought into this world as the Lord's child. You are blessed with life and you are blessed with a chance to love the Lord. It doesn't matter how you bad a day you may have had, you can still love the Lord. Nobody can take that away from you. You don't even have to say it aloud, you can just close your eyes and say it in your heart.

The chance is there each day. On the good days, you REALLY can bless the Lord and on the bad days, it doesn't matter how bad it is, as long as we remember the Lord is there always.

When it's time to go, then you go with a good spirit. When you do have to face the Lord hopefully you are 51% on the good side! I've done some things I wished I hadn't but I've always recognized goodness too. I've learned that good always triumphs over evil. It's important to do the right thing.

I just want to give people an attitude of not quitting. I've been knocked down many times, but I get back up. People that lay down and "waller in their squaller" never get anywhere. It seems that's when all the bad things come in. If you keep on doing what you're doing you keep on getting what you're getting.

People that don't have as much to live for don't fight as much to live. So grab life and find something to live for! Look around you! We need to look at the full glass of water. Maybe sometimes need to read something to remind us of the truth's in life and the bible is the best instruction book in the world. We read and know things as we go through life but you can't remember everything. Sometimes something reminds you of the wisdom you knew 10 years ago, and all of a sudden you'll hear it again and you are back in the groove. The truth will always set you free.

I have been feeling more emotional lately and I don't know if its because of the terminal prognosis because I know we are all going to go one day. I don't know if it was the stress of not knowing what was wrong with me. As long as I know my enemy I do well and can fight it... but I didn't know what my enemy was.... and now that I know what my enemy is, the release of the emotionalism is coming out, which is natural to cleanse your mind. I am realizing that when you are showing your emotions and crying, it is building your strength back up.

The stress release then gives me the strength to get mad at that scourge of the earth called cancer that takes so many people. I know lucifer is out there smiling thinking he's got me for a while, but I can't wait to pop him good and tell him I got him back one more time, so hold off your victory party! So things like that give me strength to fight and stick around longer than predicted and love my family and make up now where we are, for mistakes I wish I could undo or rectify. But I have learned that if you learn the lessons there are no failures.


I encourage you to just let everyone know that a victory over cancer is a victory against the devil and tell anybody out there that has cancer or has a relative with cancer, to make sure they fight hard and not give the devil another victory. The devil can kiss my grits. Get mad dog mean, like Josey Wales said in the movie "The Outlaw Josey Wales."

I don't want this blog to be a selfish thing for me, I want this to be something that as people read this, that it can help them and give them strength knowing that you are going to have ups and downs, and how to handle the ups and downs, to help them not give up. The reason of the blog is not to get sympathy, but to share and uplift. I am appreciative but I also want to give back in return. I want to help the people that write in with their prayers, to not give up. I believe the Lord, when he's scanning the blog, will look down at all of us right here and it will make him proud.


When you give you receive and what goes around always comes back around in God's circle of life.

Today the three of us listened to Martina McBride sing the song "Anyway." It talks about walking through your fears and building, dreaming, believing and loving no matter what. Do it anyway. I wish you each the same. Remember, every moment counts."

9 comments:

April Hollingsworth said...

I have been reading your daughter's blog regularly since January I guess. I'm so sorry to hear about your illness.

I was reading your most recent post and kind of stopped when I read about being 51% on the good side. I really hope that isn't your view of God's grace. I hope that you believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins (those of us who believe in him). Nothing we do can get us into Heaven. Being good 51% of the time is not what gets us into Heaven.

I know some people may read my comment and get angry and may even accuse me of criticizing you or something. I hope that's not how you see it. As a Christian, I feel compelled to spread the truth of the gospel.

Yes, Christians should be "good" people. Jesus takes away our sins and we can live freely and not be scared of death. But we are not bound under the law. The law shows us where we mess up and shows us that we need a savior. Nothing we do is good enough for God. Jesus lived a perfect life and died in our place.

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

April- I can appreciate your attempt to "spread the truth," however, this blog is meant to uplift, not condemn. What you read was within the context of a lighthearted conversation we were having as my dad was reflecting on his short time left with tears streaming down his face and how he wanted to do what he could to uplift others and reconnect with the Lord. He makes no pretense at self righteousness or tries to judge others knowing that we all fall short of the grace of God and should spend most of our time in self examination not examination of others. Each of our relationships with the Lord is personal and distinctive, and we do not want this blog to turn into a religious debate. This is not a forum for condemnation, it is one for God's unconditional love.

Anonymous said...

I will be keeping you in my prayers and following the blog! If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I love and miss y'all!!! Sherie

Anonymous said...

Johnny,

Thank you for sharing this with the world. It's so incredible to hear these words of encouragment by someone who is so encouraged by God everyday. May your words be read by those who need it most, and more your blessings continue each day as you fight this incredible battle.

Love,
Rachie

Elizabeth Bowdren Photography said...

My dearest of all Uncle Johnny! Boy I just KNEW you had this in you!! I am so unbelievably proud of your strength and determintation.... in your CONVICTION that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!!! Woo Hooo!!! Picture me right now with tears of joy down my stained cheeks, in positive thinking, holding my hands up to the Lord in utter praise for Him, clapping those hands in joy!!!! Joy in your deliverance, Joy in seeing God's work so beautifully shown in YOU and at how you are going to be and already are an inspiration to so many-- and how I can see God's intention in that very thing!! I have always been in awe over you.... always looked at you like a "force".... and now I am so delighted to actually see the vision of your force tapped out at 100%.... like a Saline Mustang at full throttle!!

I love you so VERY much and lift you up in my prayers.... KNOWING you will get through this because you have the GREATEST power behind you!!!

Your adoring niece,
Elizabeth

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

My mom has been printing all the positive comments and reading them to my dad. Thanks for sharing your sweet words, they give him a great strength during this difficult time!

Anonymous said...

God is amazing and we are all His children. He knew about us before we ever existed and knew all of our paths would cross one day. Think about all of the witnessing opportunities that will arise from your situation and your Faith, wow it just amazes me. God is GREAT! We do need to thank God each and everyday for the good and the bad as well as the uncertainties. God is always there! Smile, God is!

Scarlett Lillian // Jacksonville Senior Photographer said...

Thank anonymous! :-) So very true!

Heather Thorne Photography said...

Johnny, I'm in tears at your beautiful words in the face of such a difficult time. I have followed Scarlett's journeys and photography through her blog and want you to know I've been praying for you and your family. Your light for the Lord shines bright and it's so encouraging to me andd others. Thanks for sharing your story and words of wisdom. God bless you and your family!