A video shoot.

I went on a shoot today and we were interviewing people for a hospital. People who have been diagnosed with heart disease and encountered some sort of depression.

Well our first interview for the day was with a elderly man, Mr. Miller (to which he replied when I told him I was a 'Miller,' he said he heard once if all the Millers banded together we could take office...but we just don't feel like it). Well dressed, smaller, balding, but a smile and glint to his eye. He had been a pastor for 40 years previous to his condition.

He sat down and the interviewer asked him a few questions regarding what happened to him, how did he handled the depression, how did his family, etc.

What amazed me was the stories he would tell, yes he was a pastor, so talking is what he knew how to do. Yes, the stories he told of him battling with the disease were drawing me in, but the attitude he told them in.

This man was diagnosed with cancer 17 years ago and passed that, he has 15 stints in his heart (all put in within a very short amount of time) and during this surgery he had a heart attack. After that he dealt with having to leave his position as a pastor and during this time depression hit him. He would talk about looking out the window during this time of depression (in the winter) and see all these dead trees everywhere adding to the gloom of his life. But one tree, one lone maple tree, stood on its own. He wasn't sure if it was because of a steam break or what, but during this winter season, this maple tree stood in its splendor, fully green with leave. He says, it was a gift for him, that he would not be conquered by this.

He visited some long long time friends and spent some quality time with them, knowing that they were dealing with heart disease like him. He finished that story saying that he had to have that time, to understand that he could live with this disease didn't make him or break him. Then in that same breath, he said that both of those friends, died within 60 days of that visit, and with a smile on his face, he said that they gave him a gift he would never forget.

He went on to share how attitude was so very important and a big thing to get him by was a journal or prayer book, in which he wrote his. He ended his interview saying that 17 years ago he was given a new ticket on life, that he wanted to grow old and see his grand-kids get married and grow up...and that was happening now.

I walked up to him afterward and said, "You are truly a inspiration, sounds like God is a big part of what is going on." To which he replied.

"He's all over this."

I know He is a man of faith, but I didn't hear him say anything direct about God, though he eluded to many things of faith in his story. As he walked out he was chatting with the interviewer (a administrator he had known for quite some time), myself and the other crew member saying that when he talks, he likes to talk in metaphors when he tells stories. As I walked away from saying my goodbyes, I thought of another influential person in many people's lives who did the same thing...reaching those who were, and still are, lost.

Thank you Mr. Miller, you are a inspiration and a role model.

Just Like You

I wake up in the morning.
I celebrate the day that the Lord has made.
And sometimes I don't, it's something I've prayed.

The sun rises for me.
I hit the snooze button a minimum of 5 times.
I'm hungry in the morning.
I like dry cereal, that's no crime.

Watch the morning news.
Drink coffee. Have some toast.
Say a quick prayer.
It's going to be a good day,
says the morning host.

When I leave for the day, I face many struggles.
Every day. Without fail.

Just like you.

I walk out somedays with a beat in my step.
Other days, I walk out fearing what the day will bring.
Never-the-less, I walk out with hope.
Hope with a capital 'H'.

I'm a soldier.
I'm a student.
I'm a executive director.
I'm a house wife.
I'm a blue-collar/white-collar worker.
I'm a hated tax collector.

And I don't work at all.

I'm a failure.
I'm a hero
I'm a addict.
I'm a funny guy.
I'm a cancer survivor.
I'm a hopeless romantic.

I'm a sinner.
Saved by Grace.

Just like you.

I take on the day, every way.
Have bad days.
And good ones too.
I bring home the bacon,
and sometimes bring nothing home to you.

I'm affected by the same things you are.
Though you may think I am not.
This Faith can't be shaken.
That's where anxiety stopped.

I carry burdens on my shoulders.
The weight of the world crushes me.
I cry in the bathroom at work.
I pray in my cubicle on my knees.

I wrestle with depression,
thinking about yearly fiscal reports.
I study the bible during my lunch period in the library.
I serve a God who won't fall short.

I cast my burdens on Him.
Because He wants them.
He doesn't condemn.
But sees me as His precious gem.

Just like you.

I come home to a broken home.
Or to nothing at all.
I enjoy a lovely dinner every night.
Or one from a disgusting mess hall.

Sometimes my food is from a microwaveable box.
The mash-potatoes still frozen.
The bodies essential building blocks.

I spend the evening in front of the T.V.
I study algebra all night.
I sit at a coffee shop with my closest friends.
I work on financial plans on a evening flight.

I roam the streets fearing who is after me.
I search for hope on the internet.
I perform plays with my kids.
I go to the gym, looking for a good sweat.

I get tired around ten thirty.
But sometimes don't fall asleep till 3 a.m.
I go to bed unfulfilled.
Searching for Something.
Looking for the Great I AM.

Other days I go to bed,
ready to face the next day.
Then I pray.
To not decay.
In my faith.
Because I found Someone.
Who is the Way.

Just like you.

You and I aren't so different.
We come from different backgrounds.
We are in a different tax category.
We live in different environments.
We are in different places in our life story.

But in that difference is where we rejoice.
Where we embrace one of the things we have in common.

Yaweh.
Jehovah.
Holy One.
The Beloved.
Savior.
Only Begotten Son.

Shepard.
Chief Cornerstone.
Elohim.
Lord of Lords.
The Truth.
Prince of Peace.

Almighty.
Lord of all.
Conqueror.
Lamb.
Horn of Salvation.
Counselor.

King of Kings.
Redeemer.
Living Water.
Bread of life.
The Lion of Judah.
Father.

Jesus.

I tip more then I normally would.
I work in the nursery at church.
I pray for Aunt who doesn't know Christ.
I encourage my friend who is going through hurt.

I search for answers now based in Truth.
I talk about Christ during my lunch break.
I volunteer serving the homeless on Tuesday nights.
I go out of my comfort zone and I don't fake.

I celebrate the cross.
The single most devastating event.
The death of the One who came to save.
Facing unspeakable torment.

Used now to free us.
Us.

Now we are in the same big family.
Now we carry the cross together.
Now we build each other up and are built up.
Now we serve the same Great Creator.

No matter where we came from.
I am saved by His love...
Grace...
Mercy.
I'm made new!

I celebrate everyday.
Just like you.