On the Journey With
Jeramy Luckasavage...
I met Jeramy and his wife Rachel at Hope4Cancer in Mexico. Like many of the patients there, we developed a bond that is not easily shaken. We have also walked similar paths since then. We have explored a wide-variety of treatments and protocols – some traditional and some experimental. Some have worked, others not-so-much. Graciously he has agreed to share his inspirational story with us.
In December 2021, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Like many facing such a life-altering diagnosis, I’ve pursued every possible avenue for healing. This journey has included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, visits to holistic treatment centers like Hope4Cancer in Mexico and the Health and Wellness Clinic in Indiana, light and sound therapies, personalized vaccines using RGCC technology, countless supplements, securing my own hyperbaric chamber, and devouring over a dozen books on cancer treatment. We’ve truly left no stone unturned.
I hesitate to offer advice, knowing everyone’s journey is unique and complex. We’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating this path – doctors dropping our case because we asked tough questions, discontinuing treatments that didn’t feel right, witnessing both successes and setbacks, and finding strength and meaning in our faith.
However, along the way, we’ve discovered some invaluable resources and practices that we’re happy to share with others who are interested:
- A Curated Resource List: We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of helpful resources that have supported us—websites, books, podcasts, Facebook groups, equipment suppliers, and treatment centers. We continually update this list and offer it freely to anyone who might find it beneficial.
- The Importance of a Naturopath: We’ve found that having a qualified naturopath on our team has been absolutely essential. While conventional medicine sometimes downplays their role, we believe a skilled naturopath provides invaluable support and guidance throughout the journey.
- The Power of Community: The importance of a supportive community cannot be overstated. We are immensely grateful for the friends and family who have walked alongside us. Having loved ones who are willing to share this path with you makes an immeasurable difference.
Finally, I believe it’s vital for people of faith to find peace and understanding with God about their circumstances. Personally, I’ve never blamed God for this. I don’t believe God gave me this cancer. In my experience, focusing on the “why” question rarely brings comfort or healing. Instead, I choose to live with a positive outlook, trusting that God is at work, even when I can’t see the full picture.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
Proverbs 27:7 states, “The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”
Mind, body, soul…the three things that make us…us. If one of them is out of balance, the other two are affected. It’s an interesting connection. If you don’t eat right, you may experience an impact to your mental health. I think this is how the word “hangry” came into existence. A person goes too long without eating and suddenly they are short- tempered and easily agitated. But feed them something nutritious and suddenly their attitude improves as well.
I’ve noticed in recent years that if my soul is hungry, it also impacts my body and my mind. I don’t know if there’s a word to describe that, but it’s true, nonetheless. When I go too long without soul food, the rest of me suffers. Probably even more so than going without actual food. I saw a quote once that said, “We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry.” Feeding on the truth of God’s Word is the only way to keep my mind and body grounded – the ONLY way.
Sometimes, when we are in a hurry, we might think that whatever is fastest is fine. If we skip a meal here and there, is it really that big of a deal? But we can’t afford to do that with our souls. TV, social media, the news will never be good replacements for true soul food. Only He can satisfy. It’s how our mind, bodies and souls were created to function, each part in health and harmony.
Whatever your schedule looks like this week, I pray you find time each day to sit down with God and His Word and eat a meal together. Your WHOLE body will thank you for it.
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
I’m a big fan of The Hobbit movie trilogy. In fact, it’s our family’s tradition to watch both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies every year at Christmastime. This year I took notice of a scene I had not really heard in year’s past. The company of dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, are traveling through a forest on horseback, and it begins to pour rain. One of the dwarves asks Gandalf, a powerful wizard who is leading the way, Mr. Gandalf, can’t you do something about this deluge? Gandalf answers him quite matter-of-factly and with a bit of an eye roll for his dramatic choice of words, It is raining, Master dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard.
When I heard this scene with fresh ears, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Psalm 42:7-11.
Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
When we are walking through the deluges that life sends us, we often ask God to please do something about it. I know I certainly did. I begged God daily to take cancer away. To please “fix” the sudden, unimaginable hardship my family was having to walk through. We don’t want to travel through life soaking wet, navigating in the rain, following his lead yet feeling miserable. We want to know, “Why have you forgotten us?” Does He not realize that it is raining all over us; that His waves and breakers are sweeping over us? And, I think He very matter-of-factly, but with kindness in his voice, reminds us that it IS raining, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. The rain will be done at some point. The sun will eventually shine again. We just have to keep following Him a while longer in the rain.
God is not here to change the weather for us. He’s here to lead and guide us through any weather that comes our way. Like the psalmist, we can put our hope in Him and praise Him for that.
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: Promises (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Maverick City Music
From: The Maverick Way Complete (2023)
The bridge of this songs says
I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He’ll never let me down
I just love the idea that no matter what I am walking thru, Jesus is my anchor and my firm foundation!
The fight is fixed I just have to walk it out!
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.
All We Yearn
Every day’s a new revealing
Every opportunity unfolds
Every change a new beginning
In our search for the beauty, your Gold.
Every circumstance surrendered
Every Rock a chance to learn
Every heart a holy rest stop
In our search, and all we yearn
Every sun soaked, scorching season
Every chilly winter snow
Every mountain-top reminder
Of your winds and how they blow
Take my truth my dearest treasure
And, remember every day
With each moment’s a reminder
Of the life, the truth, the way
Never settle in complacent
Or get too cozy where you are
Keep your tired body moving
Fix your gaze on the brightest star
This is a journey – self correcting
And my heart is bullet proof
In the ones who move with knowledge
Of My passion – how it soothes
So keep my word, as your companion
Never let me leave your side
This world, it needs you shining
More awake, aware, alive
For me, live your life before them
Never hiding who I am
Take your gentle, loving kindness
To build this kingdom – It’s pre-planned
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE sweet potatoes. They are rich in vitamins & minerals, including vitamin A, C, potassium, fiber, and zinc. Plus, they’re super easy to cook! I prioritize buying organic to minimize pesticide exposure.
My favorite way to eat sweet potatoes is roasted in an oven with ghee or butter.
Ghee has a higher smoke point so it’s a good oil to roast your potatoes with.
I find that purple potatoes take a shorter time to cook, if you are in a rush. Usually for these, I just cut them into rough cubes, put them on a baking sheet, plop a few dollops of ghee on top with some sea salt and rosemary and then pop them in the oven. After a minute, the ghee will melt and you can use a spatula to coat the potatoes. They only need about 25 minutes of cook time when you roast them at 425.
My personal favorite are the Japanese potatoes. I love to roast these. They also are my favorite for making sweet potato fries.
Add some of these recipes to your weekly meal planning and even your kids will be smiling about healthy eating!
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
Ever feel like your mind is a hamster wheel, endlessly spinning on worries about things you can’t even control? That’s worry – a conversation you’re having with yourself, going over and over the “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios.
It’s exhausting, right?
Prayer, on the other hand, is like picking up the phone and calling a friend who can actually help. It’s talking to God about the things that are too big for us, the things we can’t fix on our own. Worry keeps us stuck in our own heads, but prayer opens us up to hope and a sense of peace, reminding us we’re not alone and that there’s a bigger picture we might not see. It’s about letting go of the things that weigh us down and trusting that there’s a God who loves us enough to carry them for us.
A Priestly Prayer for the Week
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)
O Holy One, source of all healing, I lift to you those who suffer. For bodies burdened by illness, grant strength, ease pain, and restore wholeness. For spirits broken by grief, anxiety, or despair, grant comfort and hope. For those in darkness, grant light and courage. For caregivers, grant strength and compassion. O Loving God, hear our prayers. Though we are mindful of your capacity to work a miracle, our request goes beyond that hope. More than anything we long for your presence, comfort, guidance, and love to surround those who suffer, that they may find healing and wholeness in you. In Jesus name… Amen.
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Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
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