On a Personal Note

I want to devote this post to my friends and family who not only read the “You and God” blog regularly but also pray for Ellen and myself. 

It was 19 months ago that, having gone to a couple of doctors because of a sore hip that would not stop hurting, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a disease of the white blood cells. If left unattended, the damaged cells attack the bones and eventually overwhelm the body’s ability to fight back. Though there is no known cause or cure, there are treatments that will sometimes put the disease into remission. I have not yet reached that state, but the chemo that I take—three weeks on and one week off every month—is so far holding the myeloma “at bay.” My excellent cancer doctors are very positive, and my wife is the best “caretaker” in the world. My stamina is quite a bit abated, physically, but my spirit is strong. I am able to do some writing, to preach some when called upon, and to do periods of daily of light work inside or out (weather permitting).

My “2^nd opinion” cancer specialist at Indiana University said I’d probably die of something other than myeloma. At the age of (almost) 81, that could be a good guess, although my heart tests good and all systems are apparently in working order. The strong chemo produces side effects that are mostly annoying, and I am not having any significant pain to speak of. At my last (Aug. 15) visit to my primary cancer doctor, he said with a smile, having reviewed a complete battery of blood tests, “Everything looks stable.” I take that to mean nothing is getting worse as far as the progression of this disease in my body is concerned, and that is cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving to our great God!

All of the above is to say: I am surely blessed. I have been retired from the senior pastorate for four years and, until I was diagnosed with this ailment, have been very healthy all my life. My passion in ministry for half a century was shepherding the flock of God’s people that He entrusted to my care, and promoting world missions through the local church. I was able to travel much, visiting missionaries, and have enjoyed visiting many mission fields. Ellen and I are celebrating 58 years of marriage, and we are deeply grateful for our daughters and son who are plugged into our lives and demonstrate their loving concern for us in many ways.

To those of you who pray for us, I want to say, “Thank you!” That seems so inadequate, but I hope you will know it comes from the depths of our hearts. I am awed at hearing often the words, “You are on our daily prayer list,” sometimes from people that we do not even know that well. The family of God is incomparable, and to be a part of that great Body of blood-bought believers is a blessing unspeakable. Again, thank you all very much!

Writing the bi-weekly “You and God” post is most gratifying to me, too. It keeps my mind working and gives me an outlet for sharing what is on my heart, and some of what I have been able to glean from studying God’s Word. It is very rewarding for me, and I love to hear from those of you who are able to take the time to reply with a comment or even a disagreement. I welcome the discussion and feel that one should always be open to learning, so keep the responses coming, please! If you have a particular subject you’d like for me to address, please let me know. I try to limit each post to two pages, double-spaced, so cannot usually explore topics in depth. But at least our “pure minds” can be stirred up to give some thought to issues that matter!

I will keep this post brief, as I just wanted to give you an update primarily on my health, since I know many of you pray for us and there are quite a few who live at a distance and are not in communication with us in person regularly. But feel free to call at any time! Our schedule is pretty flexible, though we do manage to stay busy. Of late, I have been preaching for a pastor friend who is rehabbing from a bad fall he suffered a month or so ago. At age 88, his recovery is going slowly. It is a privilege for me to be able to “pinch-hit” for him while he is at home recovering. We enjoy attending and serving in our local church, too, and are thankful for opportunities to sub for Pastor Stevens when called upon. For locals, the next opportunity will be, Lord willing, tomorrow night at prayer meeting in Grace Place!

Best wishes to all. We pray for you, too, and are humbled and deeply grateful to God for His family with whom we can worship and serve our Lord as we wait for His coming from Heaven.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58)