It has been a while since I have posted on here but I thought I would bring you up to date on my progress. It has not been quite two years since my surgery but I am doing well. I have had some difficulty in using the hands free device. It kept coming off. My main hope was to be able to use it on Sunday mornings when I preached. It has been just this past month that I have been able to use it without it not working about half way through the message. I don't know if it is because I am using a good adhesive or I am learning how to speak without a lot of force or a combination of both. Either way it seems to be working. I use the hands free when I am at meetings as well. I am so thankful for my family and my church family. They have all been so kind and patient as I learn this new way of talking. I was going to have plastic surgery done on my stoma so that I would get a better fit for my hands free device but the cost was way out of reach. I still get tired quicker then before surgery. I think it is the radiation (the gift that keeps on giving). There are other little things that I just have to get used to that will be just the "new normal". All in all I think I am way ahead of the curve of recovery, to God be the glory. Be Blessed. Rick

One Year Later...It was one year ago that I was having surgery for cancer on my vocal cords.

It has been a long journey to this point and I am sure there will be other hurdles to cross as I move along.I continue to try and improve my ability to be understood when I speak.

During my prayer times I will read the bible out loud to be able to pronounce the words correctly. My last blood work showed that everything was fine.

I am so thankful for my wife and family and my church who have encouraged me to continue doing what God has called me to do.

Are there times that I want to quit? Of course. Each Sunday when I put the rubber hands free holder in my throat it is very painful. It takes a while for the pain to subside. It is in those times I want to quit, but it is also in those times I am reminded of the verse. Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

This weekend, at church, is our annual Back To School Bash. Last year I had to miss it. This year I am thankful to be a part of it. If I could sing, I would sing, "To God Be the Glory". I can make a joyful sound and so I will say it the best I can, "To God Be the Glory".

Be encouraged today. Be patient. Hold fast to the profession of your faith.

Be Blessed,
Rick

I am putting a couple pictures on here that show a "then" and "now".

The Journey continues……

Each day brings new challenges. I am finding that my voice is getting better but at times the device I use to hold the hands free device in does not want to stay in place.

I am looking into that to see if there is something that can be done or it may be that it is just going take more time for everything to continue to heal. It has been almost six months since I had surgery but less than two months since my last radiation treatment.

Time is a valuable healing agent no matter what kind of healing is taking place in our lives whether it is physical, emotional, mental, financial or anything else.

What is it that is healing or in need of healing in your life? Is there a relationship that has gone sour with a family member or friend? Is there a physical healing that needs to take place? Maybe it is something that you can hardly talk about, that hurts so much, but still needs healing. Whatever it is, Jesus and time can and will be your best friend.

I was looking at some pictures of me right after surgery that Jason, my oldest son, had taken. I had not seen them up until just this past week. I had him send them to me so I could see the difference of then and now. Let me say it here, “What a difference!” Time does make a difference.

I am not going to post those pictures; you will just have to take my word for it.

The Bible states, Psalms 139:14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. NLT He made us to heal.

I want to encourage you today to let His healing process take place in your life in whatever area needs to be healed.

Jesus is “The Healer”. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. NLT

What Journey are you on? Whatever it is, if healing is needed in that Journey, it can take place.

Be Blessed,
Rick

It is going to be a very good year.......

It is hard to believe that 2011 has ended and we have started a New Year. Last year brought some major changes in my life and I found God to be faithful in them all.

I am thrilled to be able to say, "To God be the glory, great things He has done".

I am now able to use my hands free device for speaking all day long. That, of course, would mean that my "stoma" (hole in my neck) has healed up.

I have found that I do have some inflection in my voice and I am sure that will only get better as time goes along.

I have had several opportunities to minister to other cancer patients that were undergoing some of the similar treatments that I have gone through. Some have visited the church and we have had opportunity to anoint them with oil and pray for them.

I am back to speaking on Sunday mornings and will speak on Sunday nights as well whenever we don't have a guest speaker. I am so grateful for all the ministers that filled in for me during my surgery and recovery. My brother Don filled in for almost three months on Sunday morning while I was recovering.

The first Sunday morning of the New Year before I went to speak, I felt the Lord, by His Spirit, speak to me and say, "This will be a year of recovery for Salem Assembly of God".

I am excited to see all the recovery that will take place in the lives of those in the church.

Perhaps there is something in your life that needs recovered. Begin now to trust God to recover what has seemed to be lost.

It is going to be a very good year!

Be Blessed,

Rick

Loose him and let him go……

John 11:43-44 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

When Jesus spoke these words I am sure they began to unwrap Lazarus from the graveclothes.

Perhaps there are some things that have you bound that need to be loosed. There are so many things that can bind us up. Fear, doubt, worry, sickness, heartache, etc.
When Jesus spoke things began to happen. Lazarus was made alive and then he began to be freed of the bondage.

That is how Christ works in our lives. He speaks life into us by salvation and then by His spirit He begins the process of freeing us from those things that have us bound.

I think the last thing to come off Lazarus was that napkin that was bound around his face. Many times that is the most difficult of all to be freed of. That napkin, if left on, can determine our speech and hinder our eyesight.

If left on, his speech would be filtered through the grave napkin and what he saw would be the same.

How many times have our words not reflected life but death in speaking negative things and our vision blurred to only see the negative?

Once we allow Him to remove the napkin on our face we then can begin to see clearly and speak correctly.

What is it that you have been seeing lately and what is it that you have been saying. Perhaps there are still remnants of the grave cloth on your face and today Christ wants to remove it all.

Maybe today you are only seeing life through your circumstances and not through His promises and that is causing you to speak defeat rather than victory. This could be the day your freedom comes.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Be Blessed,
Rick

Go forward......

When Moses was facing the Red Sea the children of Israel were complaining about everything. Here was God's response to Moses:

Exodus 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Is there something that has you hitched to a post and you are going no where? A past hurt, an injustice, a sickness, a sorrow, a victory.

We can hitch to anything in life and stay there. I know men that are still talking about the touchdown they made in high school. That is where they are hitched.

Here is what Paul said: Philippians 3:12-14 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. NLT

When Paul speaks of forgetting the past he does not just say the bad things in my past but he was forgetting his past. He could not depend on his successes or failures to help him press on or go forward.

What is it that identifies you? I don't want to be known as the pastor that had cancer but I want to be know as the pastor that loves Christ. Cancer is not my identity just as a hurt or sorrow or anything else should be yours.

Philippians 3:7-11 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! NLT

Are there things in your life that you have hitched yourself to? Perhaps today would be a good time to allow Christ to loose you and let you go. Just as He spoke when Lazarus was raised from the dead. All the old grave clothes had to go.

There is an old song we used to sing entitled The Move is On. Let its words inspire you today to "Go Forward".

The move is on, my Lord, the move is on;
The move is on, my Lord, the move is on.
I can hear the rustle of the mulberry trees,
And I know, I know, I know the move is on.

Move on brother, move on sister,
This is the moving day,
Move a little closer,
Where the streams are flowing;
Move on, brother, move on.

Be Blessed,
Rick

Let the healing begin......

Today I finished all of my radiation treatments and now my neck and throat can begin to heal.

Radiation does help to kill cancer cells but also burns the skin and tissue in the area it is used. There can be several side effects.

It keeps working for about two weeks after the last treatment but the healing process can and will get started.

So in a couple of weeks the swelling and redness and soreness should begin to go away. I should begin to be able to speak without a lot of discomfort and my hands free device should stay in place better.

Think with me for a moment on this. Many times we bombard our lives with things that keep the healing from starting.

Worry, doubt, fear, anger, resentment, grudges, mistrust, etc. (I think you get the idea). With all that being radiated in us, healing can not really start or at least won't be able to finish.

Today I laid on the table, put on the mask and took the last treatment. I am done being bombarded with radiation. Today the healing begins.

Perhaps today healing can begin in your life by not laying on the table and putting on the mask and bombarding yourself with all that stuff I listed above. In doing so healing can begin in your life. Healing from fear, doubt, worry, anger, mistrust and so on.

Let me shout it out. LET THE HEALING BEGIN IN YOUR LIFE TODAY!

Be Blessed,
Rick

If you don't succeed at first try, try again.....

We have all heard that statement. Last Sunday when I used my hands free device it blew out (wouldn't stay in) in a few minutes.

This week I used it again and it stayed where it was supposed to for the complete message.

It looks like it is going to work and for that I am thankful.

So many times we want to give up when something doesn't work the first time. If it is the right thing to do then keep on trying until you get it. You may have to go at it from a different angle but you will eventually get it. I had to do a few things differently but it worked.

I know people who have given their lives to Christ and then quit serving Him because they say, "It didn't work". I guess what they are thinking is that when one submits their life to Christ that everything is going to get easier. My experience has been just the opposite, sometimes life gets tougher.

The devil wants you to give up so he will throw road blocks in your way. The three Hebrew Children got a fiery furnace, the Children of Israel got a Red Sea, David got a giant and the list could go on and on.

Christ never promised smooth sailing He just promised He would sail with us. That is good enough for me.

If you have given up on serving Jesus why not give Him your life again, only this time keep on, keeping on.

2 Cor 4:15-16 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Be Blessed,
Rick

Look mom no hands....

This Sunday was the first time that I preached with my hands free device installed. I have been using it since last Wednesday and it works great.

While I was preaching I blew it out and it would not stay installed so I had to revert back to the other way to talk by covering my stoma with my thumb.

The problem is my neck has swollen because of the radiation so it does not hold as well. I believe it will be OK once the radiation is finished and the swelling goes down.

I am continuing my series "UP" and this Sunday was "Listen Up". One point was: if you feel like quiting, listen up, don't quit. I had the illustration, first hand, by continuing on even through the hands free device was not working.

It is easy to get frustrated and feel like quitting but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. The point is...you can't give up when things don't go as expected. You stop, refocus and keep moving forward.

What has not gone the way you thought? Has it stopped you or just caused you to refocus and move on? Bottom line...we cannot quit or give up in times of adversity.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is 1 John 4:4 You are of God little children and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world.

Next Sunday...Look mom no hands...and away I go.

Blessings,
Rick

Are we there yet?

We have all either said that or we have been asked that when traveling on a trip. My answer was always, "We will be there when we get there".

I am half way through my radiation treatments. At least with these I do know the ending day. I am almost there.

Today I should get my hands free device. This is one of those things that you can't 'try and then buy' but it is just the opposite, 'buy and then try'.

I am fairly confident that it will work. It will be nice, especially when speaking, to be hands free.

I have been blessed thus far with very little side effects from the radiation.

Back to the question, "Are we there yet?" If we think about Christ and His return I can say that we are almost there. No man knows the day nor hour but we can surely see the signs of His coming.

Gordon Jensen's song says it best:

Redemption Draweth Nigh

Years of time have come and gone
Since I first heard it told
Of how Jesus would come again some day
If back then it seemed so real
Then I just can’t help but feel
How much closer His coming is today

Wars and strife on every hand
And violence fills the land
Still some people doubt He’ll ever come again
But the Word of God is true
He’ll redeem His chosen few
Don’t lose hope soon Christ Jesus will descend

Signs of the times are everywhere
There’s a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head redemption draweth nigh

Keep looking up.

Blessings,
Rick

P.S. I will let you know next week how the hands free device worked.

What a great day. I am continuing the series "UP" on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday was "Get Up" and this Sunday was "Wake Up". My voice seems to be getting clearer and stronger each week.

I hope to have my hands free device before long. I am looking forward to seeing how that will work.

Radiation treatments are going well. I have eight done and only twenty-two more to go. The treatments only last about thirty seconds. I am learning things every day concerning this "new normal".

Emotionally at times it is more difficult then physically. Some days it all hits me but I push through with God's help.

I am grateful for all the prayers that have been prayed for me and will continue to be prayed for me.

Blessings,
Rick

"Your voice is clearer now then it has been for two years." That is what was said to me tonight after preaching.

What a joy to stand behind the pulpit and share God's word. I began a series tonight entitled "UP".

Tonight it was "GET UP". When Paul was stoned and left for dead the believers gathered around him and he "GOT UP". Acts 14:19-20 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. NLT

You never know what your part of helping someone get up will be. A kind word, a prayer, a handshake or some other kind gesture just may be what helps someone to get up from being knocked down by the enemy.

Being knocked down can come any many forms and ways but it is not being knocked down that will keep you out of commission; it is not getting back up.

I want to encourage you today to get back up. I know it can be easier said then done but the good news is, IT CAN BE DONE. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Let's "GET UP" together.

Blessings,
Rick

We always have something to say...

When the Shunammite woman's son died on her lap she said, "It is well".

When there were five thousand to be fed Philip said, "There isn't enough."

When Job was sick his wife said, "Curse God and die."

When Israel stood on the brink of the promised land ten spies said, "We can't do it."

When Israel stood on the brink of the promised land Joshua said, "We are well able to go up."

When Jairus' daughter was sick his servants said, "Why trouble the Master your daughter is dead."

When Jesus heard Jairus' daughter was dead he said, "Only believe."

When the man with the lunatic child saw Jesus he said, "Your disciples couldn't help."

When Jesus heard the man with the lunatic child he said, "Bring him to me."

I think you get the picture. We always have something to say. We can either look on the dark side of things or we can look at things the way Jesus looks at them.

I have made a choice to look at things the way Jesus does. He has never been stumped as what to do. He has never looked at things the wrong way. His words always bring hope and peace.

What are you saying about what you are facing today? Would you consider saying what Jesus said, or what others in the bible said in their faith and trust in Christ.

Let's be honest. We are going to say something about what we are facing and the bible indicates that our words carry some weight. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue...

Chose today to speak life. Speak life into your home. Speak life into your friends. Speak life where you work.

We will always have something to say. Let it be LIFE giving.

Blessings,
Rick

Same thing only different.

Tomorrow I will start the process of radiation treatment. This is the second round of treatment. This time it will be a wider band of radiation.

I don't know what to expect from this. Last time I did have some side effects but not that bad.

This time because I have to tape on a part of my new speech device it could get a little sensitive. I will just have to wait and see about that.

Have you ever had to face the same thing in your life but it was at a different time and place?

Here is the good news! Jesus is the same. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

I am going to a different doctor, different hospital, even a different radiation machine.......same Jesus.

Whatever "same thing" you may be facing today although it is a different time and may involve different players, Jesus is still the same.

He will be with you in this time as He was before. Hebrews 13:5...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Now that is some good news!

Blessings,
Rick

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I am learning new things each day when it comes to talking and how to deal with the bumps in the road that try to obstruct moving forward.

It takes more time and effort right now to do what used to be just a few minutes but I am learning.

I know that my speaking will get better and clearer as I progress forward. The change will seem to be the norm after a period of time.

Speaking of change or new things that must be done in our lives; what new thing or change are you having to deal with right now in your life?

I realize that most of us do not embrace change overnight. I know there are exceptions to that but most of us like to hang on to the familiar.

Yet, if we are going to go forward there will always be changes taking place. Think about this. A newly married couple have to make changes when they get married, then when children come along more changes are made, then as the kids get older more changes, then when they move out more changes, then as their children get married that couple now have grandchildren and still more changes. I think you can see that there will always be something that changes.

So how can an "old dog" learn new tricks...

1. Don't fight the inevitable. If you need to change then change. I could fight learning how to speak in a new way and never learn or I can simply say, "This I must do", learn and move forward.

2. Embrace those things that need to change. That simply means to me that we need a right spirit when it comes to change. Don't begrudge it but embrace it.

3. Don't be intimidated by change. I know at first it was very difficult for me to try and talk in public. I felt embarrassed and very self conscious about it. One day, however, I made up my mind to just jump into it. This was how it was going to have to be right now so I decided I just have to do this regardless of how I felt. It really wasn't as bad as I thought.

4. Keep moving forward. The bible verse that I like so much when it comes to change and moving forward is this one: Philippians 3:13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,* but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, NLT

I am sure there are other things that will help us but these four things have certainly helped me to make the changes I need to make.

What is it today that you are struggling with in the area of change and moving forward. I want to encourage you to look into the Bible for help and direction. Speak to someone that can help and encourage you with sound advice and then "Go Forward".

When Moses went to God for help when facing the Red Sea this was God's advice to him. Exodus 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

When you think of what happened at that point (Red Sea split) it sure makes me to want to take God's advice.

I am an "old dog" but I am learning new things everyday.

Blessings,
Rick

It is good to know we are not alone.....

Today I went to another minister's fellowship meeting. It is great to know we are not alone in this life.

When I was going through all that surgery it was good to know that there were people there praying for me and people all around the world praying for me.

There is a great verse in the bible: Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.


There are those today who would say they don't need anyone. That is so sad. God created man so that He could fellowship with him. If God wanted to fellowship with man and we are created in His image then we need fellowship with one another as well.

Today as I was standing with the other ministers at that meeting I was so thankful to know that we are workers together.

If you are a loner today, stop and realize, you were not created to be alone. God even said: Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;

I am gaining strength each day. My voice is getting clearer each day. I still experience strain in my throat when I try and talk for a length of time. I guess I will never be accused of being a long winded preacher from this day on.

Blessings,
Rick

I believe I can do that....

Yesterday we had a minister's fellowship meeting. I am one of the presbyters so my responsibility was to open the meeting and close it.

This would be the first time I have gotten up front and said more then a couple words to a group of people.

Everyone seemed to be able to understand me. I am working at being able to talk at the correct pace.

I am going to be preaching my first sermon since this surgery on October 2nd, in our evening service. I am beginning a series entitled "UP" and I will then continue it on the following Sunday morning services in October.

There is still a lot of work to do to be able to talk for more then a few minutes but by then I hope to be there.

I will begin radiation treatments soon so I don't know how that will affect things. I will just have to wait and see on that.

At least for now I believe I am over the hump and hopefully the worst is behind me.

I love this portion of scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within who keeps us safe. TLB

Blessings,
Rick

There will be some things you can't do....

After my surgery I was reading some material about what to expect afterwards and some things I may not be able to do. One of them was water sports.

I am not a real water sports enthusiast anyway so it didn't really matter except I like to fish.

Of course I can fish off the bank but it is always better in a boat. Of course, you understand that if I fell in the water that water would come into my lungs with nothing to stop it. That would not be good.

Today I did go fishing. I went with a friend of mine. He has a great boat and he is a great fisherman and knows how to handle his boat.

It was great. We caught a few but it was just good to be out fishing. I did have fish for supper tonight.

There will always be things that we can't do and many times we focus on those rather then on the things we can do.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard a Christian say, "Do you mean I can't do that?" I realize Paul said, 1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

That leads me to believe that there were things that even Paul would not do. Things that would not edify. The idea here as you read on in 1 Corinthians is that he did not want to hurt others by what he did. He wanted to be a good example.

So there are things I will no longer be able to do after surgery just as after becoming a believer in Jesus Christ there will be things that I no longer want to do.

Ask yourself this question. "Do the things that I do lead others to want to know Christ or cause them to question my commitment to Christ?"

Something to think about...while fishing.

Blessings,
Rick

The high price of living.....

It is hard to believe the price of the device that I am using on my neck now. They are only good for a couple days and then you have to get a new one.

I can buy them thirty in a package plus I have to buy the adapter that sticks on my neck. They are not cheap either and they are only good for a day.

Today I was experimenting with one of the cartridges and realized I can take it apart and clean the filter. I think I can now get a few days out of one rather then just two days.

The other brand I am also using can't be taken apart without breaking it. I am sure as time goes by I will learn some other tricks to save on money without putting my health in danger.

When I say the high cost of living I am not just talking about bills but about breathing. Without these devices I would be hacking all the time and it would be very difficult to get out in the colder months. So it will cost but it will be worth it.

What about the "high cost of sinning"? The bible tells us in Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James says, James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Sin brings death but Jesus gives life. Today might be a good day to look at your life and ask yourself..."Am I living or dying?"

Deut 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

This verse reminds me of taking a multiple choice test in school, except here God gives us the correct answer. CHOOSE LIFE!

I encourage you today, if you haven't already, to choose life.

Blessings,
Rick

Have you ever played the game with your kids...."I've got your nose"? Then you put your thumb between your first and and second finger.

Today I got a new nose. I know it sounds strange but since I no longer breath through my nose I got a device that is a filter/humidifier that goes over the stoma in my neck and does what my nose did before.

It won't help me smelling things but it will help cut down on the coughing that I have been doing.

How about this? "I got a new heart". Of course, that is possible today with transplants but I am not talking about our physical heart that pumps our blood but a "new heart" given to us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.

David said this:Ps 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

In Ezekiel it says this:Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Many today are still living with an old heart that has yet to be cleansed through Jesus Christ. It does not have to be that way for you. You can get a new lease on life, a fresh new start. 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

There is a chorus we sing written by David Ingles.

I'm a new creation
I'm a brand new man
Old things are passed away
I am born again
More than a conqueror
That's who I am
I'm a new creation
I'm a brand new man

You can make that your song today simply by asking Jesus Christ into your life. Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Yes, today I got a new nose. Today you can get a new heart.

Blessings,
Rick