So much has been happening and I've had so little time to write. I've had amazing opportunities to encourage and bless others with my story and that alone is humbling and overwhelming at the same time. It is becoming clear now that the direction I am moving in is telling my story wherever I can to those who are supposed to hear it.
My seminar season is upon me and I will start traveling a lot more than I have been. A week and a half ago I returned from Nashville where I was able to spend some time with an old high school buddy of mine. Last week I spoke at all three services for the North Bay Christ the King Church in Birch Bay, Washington, and I leave in a week to help a friend in need for a few days out of state. Then I return, share my story at Neighborhood Christian Center in Tumwater, Washington on August 17th and then fly out to teach on Oahu, Hawaii the next morning. Atlanta, Minneapolis and Chicago follow, and that's just the start.
I know, you're thinking... "Doesn't he need to take it easy and rest?" I realize I am probably pushing myself a little hard. Especially after learning that the radiation killed off my thyroid gland which explains my decreased energy. Hopefully the doctors will get that balanced out with the right amount of medication soon. But, that said, I have great news! I remain cancer free and all of my blood tests are showing healthy results. I did learn that I have been speaking with only one vocal chord though. It seems that the surgery damaged the nerve that affects my left chord. You know what that means?? I get the opportunity to use just one chord to tell the world I'm a blessed man!
Please keep me in your prayers as I keep my eyes and ears open for direction in my future. I've mastered the ability to do things "Bob's Way" so far in life, but I'm trying to learn to do things "God's Way." It isn't easy. It has always made sense to act first, make decisions and then ask God to bless what I've chosen to do. Then I realize the choice I made may not have been "the best" and wonder what would have happened if I had just waited for a peace before acting. Is it just me? The point is I need to listen for that "still small voice" and wait for divine direction. Not as easy as it sounds.
I have had the chance to meet with a few men who are mentoring me in how to share my story. There is so much to say, but having insights on how to squeeze that huge story fit into a 45-minute time frame... how do you do that exactly? What is it that people need to hear when I share? I know I don't want to be that guy who's a "one string guitar", saying the same thing over and over for decades to come. I do, however, want to share the wisdom and insights that this journey has revealed to me by the Grace of God. The good news is that I am still here... still alive to share, and still realizing every day that I am a blessed man. I have so very much to be thankful for. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers as I move forward. It means the world to me.
On another subject, I am really excited about a movie project that I'm involved with. I've been made the Chief Marketing Officer for a film out of "Hollywood" called Broken, written by Mark Cramer, who has been a friend of mine since we were just little kids. His first movie, P.U.N.K.S. had Henry Winkler ("The Fonz") as the villain, Randy Quaid as the father and a young Jessica Alba as one of the major characters.
The movie, Broken, is a faith-based film, but doesn't "preach." Where most faith-based films are kind of boring and vanilla, this one is more gritty and edgy, able to keep the interest of teens, college-age adults as well as families. I'm proud to be a part of this awesome production team. You can see the "teaser to the upcoming trailer" here, followed by a "making of" video as well...
Before I sign off, I want to share a video post that was sent to me from a woman at the church I spoke at this past weekend. Her name is Marel and she has agreed to let me share her response to what she heard and read in this blog. It was touching and how she applied what she learned will no doubt bless some of you as well. It is also an encouragement to me that I am right were I am supposed to be and doing what I am supposed to do...
I hope that blessed you as much as it did me.
My seminar season is upon me and I will start traveling a lot more than I have been. A week and a half ago I returned from Nashville where I was able to spend some time with an old high school buddy of mine. Last week I spoke at all three services for the North Bay Christ the King Church in Birch Bay, Washington, and I leave in a week to help a friend in need for a few days out of state. Then I return, share my story at Neighborhood Christian Center in Tumwater, Washington on August 17th and then fly out to teach on Oahu, Hawaii the next morning. Atlanta, Minneapolis and Chicago follow, and that's just the start.
I know, you're thinking... "Doesn't he need to take it easy and rest?" I realize I am probably pushing myself a little hard. Especially after learning that the radiation killed off my thyroid gland which explains my decreased energy. Hopefully the doctors will get that balanced out with the right amount of medication soon. But, that said, I have great news! I remain cancer free and all of my blood tests are showing healthy results. I did learn that I have been speaking with only one vocal chord though. It seems that the surgery damaged the nerve that affects my left chord. You know what that means?? I get the opportunity to use just one chord to tell the world I'm a blessed man!
Please keep me in your prayers as I keep my eyes and ears open for direction in my future. I've mastered the ability to do things "Bob's Way" so far in life, but I'm trying to learn to do things "God's Way." It isn't easy. It has always made sense to act first, make decisions and then ask God to bless what I've chosen to do. Then I realize the choice I made may not have been "the best" and wonder what would have happened if I had just waited for a peace before acting. Is it just me? The point is I need to listen for that "still small voice" and wait for divine direction. Not as easy as it sounds.
I have had the chance to meet with a few men who are mentoring me in how to share my story. There is so much to say, but having insights on how to squeeze that huge story fit into a 45-minute time frame... how do you do that exactly? What is it that people need to hear when I share? I know I don't want to be that guy who's a "one string guitar", saying the same thing over and over for decades to come. I do, however, want to share the wisdom and insights that this journey has revealed to me by the Grace of God. The good news is that I am still here... still alive to share, and still realizing every day that I am a blessed man. I have so very much to be thankful for. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers as I move forward. It means the world to me.
On another subject, I am really excited about a movie project that I'm involved with. I've been made the Chief Marketing Officer for a film out of "Hollywood" called Broken, written by Mark Cramer, who has been a friend of mine since we were just little kids. His first movie, P.U.N.K.S. had Henry Winkler ("The Fonz") as the villain, Randy Quaid as the father and a young Jessica Alba as one of the major characters.
The movie, Broken, is a faith-based film, but doesn't "preach." Where most faith-based films are kind of boring and vanilla, this one is more gritty and edgy, able to keep the interest of teens, college-age adults as well as families. I'm proud to be a part of this awesome production team. You can see the "teaser to the upcoming trailer" here, followed by a "making of" video as well...
I hope that blessed you as much as it did me.
~Robert B. Haase,
A Blessed Man
