Jer 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

*In 2016, an estimated 1,685,210 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 595,690 people will die from the disease. -Centers for Disease Control

When our sister, Sharryl Travis, a nurse for over 20 years, thinks about why she is here, she knows it is because God is amazing!  She is a survivor, first diagnosed with cervical cancer over 23 years ago.  Like a lot of women she asked herself, Why me?, What did I do?, Will I make it?  Yet she believed it was a part of God’s plan to help inspire others fighting cancer.

Living with constant nerve and scar tissue pain after chemo and radiation therapy does not dismay Sharryl to Live.  Neither would she acquiesce to this disease or its effects.  Concerned more with staying around for her husband of over thirty years, her five children and her grandchildren, Sharryl is here on purpose, driven to serve God in this way.

One of Sharryl’s missions is as a Cancer Patient Navigator (CPN) a program which began at Harlem Hospital by Dr. Harold Freeman and supported by Sloan Kettering Hospital.  However due to budget cuts, the CPN program has ended and she is now in partnerships with Albert Einstein and Montefiore hospitals.  A CPN helps people battling cancer to get through those barriers of cancer. The barriers Sharryl and other CPNs help breakthrough are: getting people resources to stop bill collectors, finding a doctor, obtaining childcare so one can focus on their well being.

Excitedly, Sharryl is about to commence new cancer awareness events in various ministry partnerships as a National Cervical Cancer Coalition Chapter Leader and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Team Leader.  Within these roles, she conducts training programs for CPNs that are Faith Based to teach other through the word.  CPN training involves how to do faith based support in outreach, screening, hospital referrals and end of life care.  Sharryl is very busy doing God’s will, she is grateful for every moment and we have faith that she has a lot more living to do!

Concern (C):  Do you know that both men and women can catch cancer through sexual intercourse?  HPV can cause various types of cancers,  oral, genital and rectal.  In addition, men can get penile cancer from sex; women can get vulvar and cervical cancer.

Encouragement (E):  People with cancer often seek God throughout this time, they know that they can be healed through God’s word.  So Sharryl wants her sisters reading this to Trust in God with your temple, it belongs to Him and He will bring you through this.  In reciprocity, we would like to encourage Sharryl and her daughter (who was recently baptized) that our prayers are with them for their continued wellness and complete victory in cancer recovery.  Sharryl has been in remission for over 2 years.  Amen!

Act  (A):  Share the information.  Start a cancer support ministry/group at your place of worship.  Consider the Centers for Disease Control(CDC) recommendation to have the HPV vaccination for your child.  Call and/or visit cancer patients (bring food, unite in prayer, be authentic and attentive etc.), advocate for cancer screening budgets with your representatives.  Speak to someone who has been through this-including Sharryl herself.  For CPN and other info you can contact her at travis.nccdc@gmail.com or 646-281-2234.

She would like to dedicate this to interview to her family  and for those who have battled and died from cancer-especially her former team Pamela, Alva, Louisa & Alicia.

You can find Sharryl’s S,A.V.E.D 4  Life (Survivors, Awareness, Victorious, Early  Detections) organization on worldwide television, radio shows and tours with promoting cancer and Aids awareness. 

References:

• https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/navigators-help-cancer-patients-manage-their-care.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm.

2 Kings 7.:9⁹ Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. “

Good news is mentioned in the bible as a thing to be proclaimed and preached. In Luke 4:43  Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”  Christ was compelled to share-it was his very mission in life.  So why is it that we occasionally fear sharing God’s word and works with others?

On the other hand as they old adage goes bad news travels even faster. How ironic that the very thing we do not like to hear about it is talked about for days.  The Presidents latest cynicism, celebrity deaths or a supervisor that just gets under our skin.  Even the news channels and papers thrive on bad news reports across the world.  Oftentimes, I purposely set to not listen to current events to maintain a happy disposition and positive outlook–after all, God IS in control, right?

So let’s start spreading the Good news!  It’s up to you sister, sister. 🙂

Question/Concern(QC):  What is your Good news?

Encouragement (E):  Admonishing you to be spiritually excited about the good things happening.  Has someone been baptized ? Encourage them with a note.  Is someone around you ill-brighten up their day with a visit or a service.  We have no time to be down we are here for a joyful reason.  Let this be your Good news in a downtrodden day., “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Prov 17:22)

Action (A):  You have been tag to go out and share your Good news with at least one person.   Be sure to give God the credit in it.  Believe He is the Perfect and True Reporter!

1 Peter 4: 10 NIV

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

One of my passions is reading the narratives of such great woman like Ida B. Wells, Susan B. Anthony, Rigoberta Menchu Tum.  They like so many women struggled against hardships, injustice and insufferable obstacles.  The ultimate goal -the betterment of humanity through the empowerment of women by steadfastly challenging and changing the status quo.  In exploring the legacy of these extraordinary persons, how they overcame painful times through inner strength and resolute courage-I asked myself “Why can’t I sometimes handle a sink full of dirty dishes?”

At this time of my life I am facing various heart aching situations-anxiety for my children, family illness, personal disappointment and so on.  Yet Paul in the Bible spoke of the art of contentment even through the toughest of trials (flogging, shipwrecks, starvation).  Yet he wrote one of my favorite books in the bible, Philippians, that uses the word  rejoice over 16 of the 214 times it is mentioned modernly.  For certain, Paul (formerly killer Saul) would know about persevering with a joyful temperament and grateful spirit.  With heaven as his home, Jesus as his friend, even on this earth -he lived as if he were already there!

Concern (C):  Sister, do you receive temporary suffering —through the same faith—  you receive eternal blessings/promises from God? (Please comment below)

Encouragement (E):  The scripture for this week clearly states that Christ HIMSELF (Emphasis intentional) will restore, steadfast, firm and strengthen you.  Answer this call -through his power and hang up yours.

Act (A):  Imagine yourself already in heaven and hearing the words “Well done”.  Then live eternal life backwards.  What is the first thing you will do/say once you’re already home? Start practicing what better time than right now!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

San Juan, Houston, Las Vegas, Chelsea  seems that everywhere in the news today people are hurting from destruction of catastrophic storms, incogitable violence and all sorts of mayhem.  It can leave you thinking “Where are you God?” or “How could you let this happen God?”.  The very essence of our beings may question if there even is a God.  For those who have little or no faith, the very core of our belief in Him can be tossed by such winds of doubt and waves of uncertainty.  Still for others who believe, having faith tested through times of refining fire and the like, such happenings may not easily dissuade.  Either way, the Bible says that Satan roams earth to and fro looking for someone to devour-weak, young, sick, lonely- no, ALL are vulnerable!

Concern (C):  What would it take for you to leave the promise of peace even in hard times for God?  For Job, who had lost children, livestock and was even afflicted in his body with sores remained submissive to God.  It is hard to understand such humility,  but even Jesus humbled and submitted to God.  He was purely innocent, yet resolutely chose to act in prayer that the Father’s will be done over his will.   Leaving us with the example of ultimate trust in the righteous plan of God which is far superior than our own opinions and ideas.  Eventualizing in the saving of many –not just ourselves.

Encouragement (E):  Sister, remember the Lord’s words, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and life to the full (John 10; 10)”.  In fact, you have the very gift of peace.  The peace of God’s only Son who overcame the world.  Let us continue to walk in that confidence of this comfort.  Take heart sister, let His words, His life and His love quell your fears and quiet your troubles.

Act (A):  Sister, pray over things that you witness reek of the serpent’s venom.   Instead, encourage others that the Lord always watches, always loves, always cares.   Give to those in need of your gifts,  Care, counseling  or giving money or items to reputable organizations locally or globally.  Admonish one another through psalms, hymns and songs* from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col 3:16)

*Jim Reeves, song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord Homehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNrVed6dP6s