25 Down, 0 To Go!!

Body: Yes, you read it right! I finished my radiation treatments yesterday morning and can gratefully say that the side effects have not been too difficult to endure. I was prepared for something much worse than I experienced and I know that fervent prayer has played a critical role in this entire process of being carried through treatment. Other than some X's on my body which should wear off sometime:-); a little difficulty with swallowing which I'm told will quickly improve; and some chest and back redness from the radiation, I'm doing great. I didn't experience the severe reactions that "might have been" and my strength has actually improved over the last three weeks. Even my hair has started returning (just in time for winter)!! Thank you for praying for me and my family.

A PET scan has been scheduled for December 23 at Yale. This will help us determine the effectiveness of the radiation and check the rest of my body for evidence of cancer. Obviously, this is another important test, which my Father already knows all about. Please join me and my family in praying for clear results.

Spirit: God's Work Continues Acts 12:1-19

What an incredible miracle the Lord accomplished in bringing Peter out of prison in spite of being guarded by sixteen of Rome's finest soldiers. The story is filled with miracle after miracle. What makes it especially exciting is that this is a "last minute" rescue. Peter was going to trial the next morning!! Our God is able!! What a great story of His intervening power on display.

Something easily missed in all the excitement is that fervent prayer is taking place at the same time the miracles are occurring. Even though the answer to the believers' prayers was standing right outside their door, the weakness of the their faith is clearly evident. "It couldn't be Peter," they said. "He's in prison. The person knocking must be 'his angel'!" (verse 15) We ask for a miracle...and then explain it away when it occurs! Amazing and yet, I can identify!

As I have journeyed through this struggle with cancer, I'm so grateful that people whose faith is imperfect, just like mine is, have been fervently praying for me. I know that if the Lord chooses to heal me, the role of passionate prayer by a host of brothers and sisters in Christ cannot be minimized. It is amazing what He is able to do through frail vessels like us. If we see God's hand of healing at work, let's not doubt that HE has done GREAT things! May His work be an impetus for more fervent prayer and greater, stronger and more mature faith.

It IS my prayer that as we reflect back on this journey in the future, we will all be able to rejoice in God's powerful hand overcoming this cancer. But let me also point out another very important part of this passage. In verse 2 we see that instead of saving James, the Lord allowed him to be killed by Herod. In one instance, God answers through a remarkable series of miracles; in another, the Lord allows His own to be killed. Both are part of His plan; both are allowed by His loving hand; and both bring glory to His name.

There are mysteries to God's will which only the heart of God can fathom. In my mind, the "Peter" scenario is far better than the "James" scenario. That is what I pray will take place as I consider my situation. However, I am gratefully and trustingly in God's hand to further His Kingdom as He sees fit. If He chooses not to heal, my faith (our faith) in His greatness and goodness must not be diminished. My focus on His face must only be intensified. He truly knows what is best...and that is sufficient.

So, we win either way, as long as we remember that He is great and good in all He does and that the building of His Kingdom is truly the most important issue!

Radiation Underway

Body: 9 down, 16 to go!! The countdown continues. I'm 9 radiation treatments into a 25 treatment schedule. Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been getting emails and Facebook posts wondering what is happening.

So far the treatments are going well and there have been no noticeable side effects. There is a cumulative effect, so there may be some "surprises" waiting for me down the road. The doctor indicated that after treatment 10 I may begin to feel some effects. Thanks for praying.

I should finish up with all 25 treatments the day before Thanksgiving. Guess what I'll be thankful for this year!!

For those who are wondering about evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments, let me share the general schedule with you. I will not know anything new until the next PET scan which the oncologist says will take place in late December. The full effect of the radiation treatments won't be clear until three months after completion according to the radiologist. That's because there is inflammation which needs time to heal.

So, I feel I'm in a situation like the World War II pilots faced. The order to proceed with the mission has been given and we are under "total blackout" conditions until the mission is complete. There will be a couple months of "silence" while the mission proceeds and I'll be happy to give you results when there are any to share. Thanks for praying.

Spirit: The Right Words John 12:50

It is always so encouraging to speak a word and have confidence that it is exactly the right word for the situation. Jesus always had that feeling according to John 12:50, "So whatever I say is just what the Father has told Me to say." The reason He always had that feeling according to His own statement is not because He is God, but because He only said what the Father told Him to say. What's the difference? He IS God and He and the Father ARE one (John 10:30).

In one sense, they are the same; there is no difference, which is why I find Christ's statement interesting. The Godhead knows fully and communicates perfectly, so anything any One of them says is perfect. In another sense, though, there is a big difference and a significant instruction point for me. Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him to say. He listened and repeated. He didn't question, doubt, revise, re-word, shift or clarify. He just stated and repeated. His great concern was to hear His Father's voice...and repeat what the Father said. If that was important for Jesus here on earth, how much more important is it for me?

The closer I stick to the Word, the more confidence I'll have in what I say. The more His Word fills my life, the more it shapes my attitudes and words...and the more confidence I can have in their worth, accuracy and helpfulness; even when they are words of confrontation. This time I spend each morning in the Word is the most important time and appointment I have all day because it prepares me to speak with confidence in a variety of contexts.

"Lord, thank you for this time in Your Word. May I pay close attention so that Your truth permeates my being. I want to have something to say which reflects Your Word deeply etched into my soul."