AFTERNOON OF HOPE!
A good morning to you! My cup of coffee this morning is beaming over with JOY!
I have so much to share! I have so much to give THANKS for; so much in fact, the emotions, the feelings, and the words are actually inadequate to say or write….but I will try!
As I do attempt to share, I am mindful of this statement I read: “Be kind to everyone because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
I share this statement to remind us all that as I reflect on how GOD showed up yesterday, in my battle against brain cancer, I know of several brothers and sisters, who are following my reflections, who are also dealing with their own significant health battles. And I also know, there are others of you who may be struggling with emotional, mental, financial, or spiritual battles. So as we move forward, please know how deeply we care for you, how much we share our love with you, and even though others do not know you, HE does, and we are praying for you!
A scripture to this, for me is:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God isn’t saying we won’t experience suffering. He said we would have peace through our faith here on earth and in Heaven. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be ever virulent looking for the weapons God gives us on earth.
Let me share with you a powerful weapon God placed in my path. My two unique and special doctors!
Very early in my battle, it was clear I didn’t have much time left and I surrendered to my Father’s will and design for me. I was suffering and was ready for my Father’s loving embrace. Then I meet a beautiful couple. Two married doctors drawn together at the same time and place, with the same overwhelming desire to battle brain cancer. Their union was forged in the common goal of reducing suffering and giving hope to those lost to this terrible illness. I wan’t capable of remembering much from our first meeting, with this couple, but I do remember how XXX placed her hands on my face and said, “I know you are in there and I will get you out.” Additionally, her XXX husband said, “No matter your journey, I’m your doctor for life.” I knew I was at Duke Hospital with these two beautiful people because it was God’s design. As my treatments continued, it was apparent that xxx and xxx profession was also a passion of love for their patients. I’m confident God joined these two in the union of marriage and family to be his weapons on earth.
In the battle of my brain cancer yesterday afternoon, Friday, 8 Nov, around 1:30 pm, will ALWAYS be a critical tsunami emotionally, mentally, and spiritually! The POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT showed up BIG time! I was able to experience and hear the truth. While the four brain tumors are still present, through the treatments of the chemo and radiation, through the outstanding efforts of these two special doctors and HIS efforts in ways none of us will every grasp—-the cancer indeed has not prospered and my doctors are now speaking of me living past July!
THANK YOU JESUS!!
Now instead of wondering if I will live past July, we are discussing the likelihood of living for another year! ( and by faith longer) Even though we know the four tumors are still present, all four shrank to some extent and several centers were hit hard, NO NEW TUMORS were discovered! This was enough to just PAUSE….and GIVE THANKS!
I am now moving into what we call a long chapter 3. This chapter begins in two weeks and will last for a year. I have agreed to accept chemo treatment, two robust tablets each day, for one week per month, for 12 months over the next year. Due to my number of tumors, due to there being no physical cure on this side of Heaven, and due to current great news, our doctors asked us to consider this new protocol to continue, what they even agree, is a miracle of HOPE, right now in my case!
This new protocol will be followed by labs and new MRIs, every 23 day cycle, to monitor how all this works.
So, to all of you, please PAUSE and let us REJOICE, giving thanks for the answer of our prayers to date—GOD’s ripple effects continue in a tremendous tsunami for this Carolina Coastal Boy! As I write this, my heart is full of peace, hope, joy, and numbness….it is hard for me to take it all in!
I close in giving thanks for HIS work through ALL OF YOU! Debby and I continue giving thanks for your steady prayers and support! I MARVEL at how HE works within us all to be a blessing to each other!
PAUSE WITH ME FOR JUST A MOMENT:
I want to say thank you Jesus, for your weapons of hope on earth, and for allowing me to continue sharing your love a while longer. I’m grateful and inspired by the prayers of my brothers and sisters. Like rolling waves coming to shore, where did they come from and how far have they traveled? I see YOU as those rolling waves to the shores of my brain cascading, in waves of healing, due to your faithfulness! These reflections go far and wide and cover several states, in the United States, and beyond. The HOLY SPIRIT is amazingly active, through you, in a huge community of folks, inside and outside of church, who just LOVE Jesus and made a commitment to LOVE a pastor in his time of need. I will ask in closing, during this chapter 3, in the hope that you’re willing to continue!
To those of you still struggling with your painful battle, please know YOU are not alone and we love you and are in prayer for you, trusting HIM to show up in your life, as well!
THANK YOU JESUS! PRAISE THE LORD!
Thank you for turning on the faucet, for me, others, and allowing the Holy Spirit to use YOU as a blessing!
“No greater LOVE”….than to be willing to sacrifice one’s time, one’s money, one’s efforts, by simple choosing to be available and be willing to engage when the Holy Spirit moves you to be a blessing to someone else!
The GREATER JOY experienced is ALWAYS with the one doing the giving and NOT the one receiving THE GIFT!
HOW WILL WE MOST CHOOSE to live—as those who mostly give or as those who mostly recieve?
Thanks so much for your part in enabling my afternoon of HOPE TO OCCUR!
THANK YOU JESUS AND
PRAISE THE LORD!
