On the Journey With
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong is one of the more controversial figures in the world of sport. After winning the Tour de France for seven consecutive years (1999-2005) he was stripped of his titles for doping. After years of denial, he was ‘forced’ to come clean in 2013. But his story also includes a redemptive angle. As a cancer survivor, he has maintained a passion to serve fellow cancer patients through his infamous Live Strong Foundation. He recently sat down with Peter Attia for a three-hour interview, which covers his career, his cancer journey and his hopes for the future. Have a long drive coming over the Thanksgiving holiday? It’s worth a listen HERE.
Here is a brief overview of the work of The Live Strong Foundation, in its support of cancer families.
Who doesn’t remember the “Live Strong” yellow silicone gel bracelet? It was launched as a fundraising program for the Foundation by Nike in May of 2014. The yellow color was in honor off the yellow jersey worn by the overall leader of the Tour de France. The band became immensely popular and by the end of 2013, 80 million bands were sold. It became the model for numerous other charities who copied the idea in support of their own causes.
One of the unique purposes of the Foundation was in it’s focus on the ‘soft side’ of cancer patient support, specifically the practical, psycho-social needs of cancer patients and those ill-effected by the disease. The stated mission of the Foundation is to improve the lives of cancer survivors and those affect by cancer. It’s mission is actualized through direct services, community programs, and systemic change.
Started by Armstong in 1997, it experienced significant growth and influence until the height of Lance’s doping scandal in 2013. That is when they changed the name from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to the LiveStrong Foundation. Nike also cut ties with the Foundation at that time and Lance was replaced as President and CEO. Suzanne Stone (formerly with The Children’s Miracle Network) now serves as the President.
Although the Foundation has seen a significant drop in funding it continues its work through creative initiatives like CancerFit and the LiveStrong Cancer Institutes. For more information visit the LiveStrong website.
The story of Lance Armstrong is like so many of our own stories – a mixed bag of good and bad, heroism and duplicity. He failed publicly. We fail privately. But what inspires me most about him is his willingness to learn from his mistakes. He is far from perfect, and yet he continues to do what he can to use his life for good. I’d like to think I can do the same. Sometimes we learn from people who get a lot of things right. Sometimes we learn important lessons from those who show us what we don’t want to do. From Lance Armstrong we get a chance to learn about a little of both sides of that equation.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
This verse continues with a pretty comprehensive list of things that have their own season:
- I time to be born and a time to die
- a time to weep and a time for laughter
- a time to plant and a time to dig up
- a time to search and time to give up
It would seem that there really is a time for every season under heaven. This verse give us reassurance that whatever season we find ourselves in is the very season we are meant to be in and also, that it is just a season that will ultimately give way to the next season of life.
If you are like me and you sometimes feel like you are falling behind the master plan for your life or you’ve missed a turn somewhere, trust me – you aren’t that powerful. God truly holds your future in His hands. While that doesn’t mean that every day will be perfect and full of rainbows and butterflies, we can take heart in knowing that life life is full of rhythms. There is a season for everything.
Where you are right now today is okay. Where I am right now is okay. Give yourself grace to navigate this season, embracing the good and growing in the struggle, carrying the knowledge that another season will soon arrive in God’s perfect time.
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
I felt guilty…again. I was irritable. I didn’t want to be in the hospital AGAIN. I didn’t want to get my husband food or eat in the cafeteria ONE MORE TIME. I didn’t want to be awakened or interrupted by nurses and doctors. I didn’t want to think about death for one more day. I didn’t want to DO cancer anymore. I just wanted to wake up from the horrible dream that had become my life. I was angry, and sad, and now I felt guilty. But what I really felt was helpless. Completely helpless to do or change anything about our situation.
As a caregiver, we have to remember our own humanness. We are not God. We are not in control. We cannot decide the outcome. And that really terrifies us. Job 3:25-26 puts words to the reckoning that comes with tragedy.
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
I feel Job so much in these verses. Our modern world does not like negative emotions like guilt, anger, helplessness, and sadness. We acknowledge they exist, but we do not wish for them to be a part of who we are. But, when our fears come true, we have a tendency to retreat even more into our fear. To feel very satisfied that “we were right.” That what we thought would happen, happened. There is some strange satisfaction in being right in our helplessness. Maybe it’s that it makes us feel like we do have some control after all?
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ Isaiah 30:15
Oh boy. This is the exact opposite of what Job expressed. Cue my eye-rolling at these verses. Yet, what would happen if we laid our helplessness and our need for control at His feet daily? If we got really honest with him about our feelings. How would our situation change if we chose repentance and rest; quietness and trust? I was able to do this more toward the end of our journey, when it became clearer that my husband was not getting better. I was able to relinquish my hope for controlling the outcome and just let God decide. And, there was actually strength there, in the quietness and trust.
Worship Moment with
Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: Build My Life (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Maverick City Music
From: Tribl Nights Atlanta (2021)
I love this song mainly because of the bridge:
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
This refrain just brings everything into perspective that no matter what the noise sounds like or the chaos looks like Christ is all I need to focus on. He is THE firm foundation!
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Meandering Mission
I Meander through the mystery
of the beauty built by God
The flowers, trees and grasses green
The pebble path I’ve trod
I’m longing for a moment
A tender little touch
A simple, small, sweet moment
Where we give and share so much
I step deeply and completely
Locked within your love
Deeply and completely, filled
With wonders from above
But I’m longing for some time Lord
To sit and pray together
I’m thirsty for your spirit LORD
Without awkward outside tethers
So I meander as I listen
For the sound of your voice
The guiding word, the song I heard
To make the next right choice
The melodies and sights I see,
Blend with the river’s nod,
A Harmony in symphony,
As I journey on this trod.
So meander mighty warrior
But keep your vision straight
Not right or left distracted
From that single needle’s gate
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
It’s Fall – apple season – perhaps it is time to talk about the benefits of apple cider vinegar.
Research suggests that apple cider vinegar may have beneficial health properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting the sugars from apples, which turns them into acetic acid – the active ingredient in vinegar. In the shops you may see apple cider vinegar labelled as “filtered” (a clear liquid), or unfiltered – the latter containing something known as ‘mother’. This means there are proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria present, and gives this type of vinegar a cloudy appearance. Here are some of the suggested benefits:
- It may improve glucose and insulin levels after eating carbohydrates
- It may increase feelings of fullness and help to lower calorie intake
- It may reduce weight and body fat
- Studies suggest it could be beneficial for cholesterol levels and blood pressure
- Similar to other vinegars, it has anti-microbial properties
You can take a shot of it in the morning or consider using it in salad dressing!
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
It happens every morning…
When I get up, I don’t feel like doing my protocols (devotions, sauna, plunge, walk, weight-training, healthy breakfast, etc.). I’d rather veg. It bugs me that it is still a battle.
I’ve been at this for a good 18 months and it’s still a struggle to get moving. Somewhere along the way I heard that it is supposed to get easier. It ain’t so… At least not for me.
I’m not complaining.
I’m just saying this for the benefit of those who have the same challenge. You are not alone. It is hard. It is as much mental as it is physical. It really is about a daily decision. One foot in front of the other. I can do this. You can too!
Here we go.
Prayer of the Week
Christianity.com
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
Are you praying for a friend?
Lord, your Word speaks promises of healing and restoration and I thank you for the miracles you still perform today. Today I claim those promises over my friend. I believe in the healing power of faith and prayer and I ask you to begin your mighty work in the life of my friend. Please reach down and surround my friend with supernatural peace and strength and give her the faith to believe that all things are possible for you. Protect him/her from Satan’s lies and discouragement and let her miraculous healing begin.
Amen.
Word of the Week
Lighten Up!
It’s dark outside, and sometimes its dark inside too
The good news is that even a little light can brighten things up. Do you know where to find it? Do you know how to be it?
You never know how much it might be needed.
Don’t quit looking. Don’t quit being.
Interested in supporting this new initative?
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects and team members committed to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families. As we look to the future, we are excited about creating a variety of new resources that will provide pastoral support to those battling cancer. This initiative will include this newsletter AND a host of other resources including a new podcast providing helpful information on health and fitness, fresh pocket prayers delivered daily to fellow cancer warriors, a new page on the website “heal” Heal – Piet Van Waarde with weekly reflections on navigating the “dailyness” of the journey, plus a soon-coming book Keep on Healing that will address the top 50 questions people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. We want to make these resources available at little/no cost to those who need them, and your support through the Foundation (https://www.patreon.com/pietvanwaarde) makes that possible.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
