Well after we settled down last night for what it seemed like a long winter’s nap. I pillowed my head thanking the Lord for all that He has done and for all those who have carried our names to His Throne. As I was giving Him thanks, I said to Him, “O Lord, may I have this same heart of praise and thanksgiving to You for however this turns out. Whatever news we get concerning my condition, may we rejoice for the great things You have done.”
Chris took us to train station to find out that it too was not running because of downed power lines and trees from Saturday’s snow storm. So we traveled (picking up Peter and his wife who were trying to get to NYC as well) to Newark Airport and caught the train there.
Since we had no electricity, we sought for some more “power” at Starbucks, Lynda’s choice of back up power. So we went to the closest Starbucks to Penn Station, the one in the basement of the Empire State building, and charged our phones and computers there.
Our dear friends from TN, Ron and Becky, (who are family to us) are coming to NYC tonight to stay for a couple of days. They were able to get a hotel only a block from my Dr.’s office and Sloan Kettering. They have been so gracious to invite us to stay with them.
While we were making our way to the hotel we received a call from Dr. Brennan’s office, his kind assistant, Danette, gave us some good news. She said, “Well I received the first report from Dr. Brennan concerning the C.T. scans that were done Friday, and the cancer has not metastasized anywhere else in your body.” I said, “Praise the Lord!” and she joined in on our rejoicing.
Now the Doctor is still studying the Pathology slides from the operation done 3 weeks ago to diagnose what steps should be taken next. But that is something we can all thank the Lord for (just like we would give Him thanks for any other news.)
Our Lord Jesus has authority over everything and holds all things in his powerful hand (Col. 1:15ff). Please thank Him with us for this news and let’s keep watching what His mighty hand will do in the days to come. We love you all so much and cannot thank the Lord enough for all that He is doing as His people call upon His name (Rom. 10:13, Acts 2:21, Joel 2:32, Gen. 4:26).
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, truly a day of rest. (10/30/11)
We went to sleep last night while there was snow still falling and we blew all the candles out to complete the darkness due to no electricity available. Woke up in the morning with no electricity. And then went through the whole day with out electric. We truly had a day to do nothing but literally “recharge” our batteries (and our phone and lap top batteries at the local mall where there were plenty of outlets).
We had limited access to the world but full access to the throne of God by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We love you all and thank you for praying for us and those who the Lord is placing in our lives at this moment.
As I type this note, Lynda is talking to Bethany, our daughter who is sharing with her about the home going of a loved pastor’s wife (Susan). We are in Starbucks recharging our batteries again because power is still out at our cousin’s house and on the sound system is playing a song with the words, “lady come home….” We can not even imagine at this time what Jesus’ voice sounded like to Susan as she heard, “Susan come home…” And she is home and we wait on this side of eternity to go Home. We are so grateful that even though we are not home, He is here with us, dwelling with us and caring for us. There is no other God!
“Thank you Lord for your very dear servant and lover of you – Susan – and now we continue to pray for her husband (Tom) and children (and grandchildren) who are more loved by You than any one. Thank you for allowing us to express Your love to these dear children of Yours. We love You and thank You for Your unceasing love for us.”
We had limited access to the world but full access to the throne of God by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We love you all and thank you for praying for us and those who the Lord is placing in our lives at this moment.
As I type this note, Lynda is talking to Bethany, our daughter who is sharing with her about the home going of a loved pastor’s wife (Susan). We are in Starbucks recharging our batteries again because power is still out at our cousin’s house and on the sound system is playing a song with the words, “lady come home….” We can not even imagine at this time what Jesus’ voice sounded like to Susan as she heard, “Susan come home…” And she is home and we wait on this side of eternity to go Home. We are so grateful that even though we are not home, He is here with us, dwelling with us and caring for us. There is no other God!
“Thank you Lord for your very dear servant and lover of you – Susan – and now we continue to pray for her husband (Tom) and children (and grandchildren) who are more loved by You than any one. Thank you for allowing us to express Your love to these dear children of Yours. We love You and thank You for Your unceasing love for us.”
Saturday’s Snow Storm (10/29/11)
Can we say much more but “Wow, how cool was this day!”
“By faith… Abraham…. went out not knowing where he was going.” Heb. 11:8
There are times in out lives that we all get to give this kind of faith a try. It is not blind faith, because Hebrew 12:1-2 says that our eyes (of faith) are fixed on Jesus.
But really all through life we may think we know what we are going to do or where we are really going, but God can intervene any time in our plans and as we grow closer we welcome and even beg Him to do what He knows – “Your will be done…” Mt. 6:10.
At this time, almost two weeks since I had found out about my cancer, we know no more than we knew the first day. And so, Lynda and I are going out, not knowing where this all going to end up, but confident that He is going before us knowing exactly what is in store for us.
Meredith, my younger daughter and I were able to get some practice in this faith from our Lord Jesus when we were in San Antonio. It was Sunday and we were in city where there were many churches but which church should we go to. You will have to ask Meredith for the details of the story, but we literally went out Sunday afternoon into San Antonio not knowing where we were going to go to church nor what Church the Lord would lead us to. It was so fun for us to experience in an extremely small way this which the Scriptures spoke about in Heb. 11:8. Again, ask Meredith for the details, but we ended up in Max L. church during a Sunday School teacher’s appreciation dinner eating all the pot-luck food we could ever desire. Max spoke twice that evening and we were able to speak personally with him. We left that evening saying, “Thank you Lord, for not only did You lead us, but you brought us to a wonderful church where we were spiritually fed and physically fed and our hearts are over flowing with joy and thanks to YOU.”
“By faith… Abraham…. went out not knowing where he was going.” Heb. 11:8
There are times in out lives that we all get to give this kind of faith a try. It is not blind faith, because Hebrew 12:1-2 says that our eyes (of faith) are fixed on Jesus.
But really all through life we may think we know what we are going to do or where we are really going, but God can intervene any time in our plans and as we grow closer we welcome and even beg Him to do what He knows – “Your will be done…” Mt. 6:10.
At this time, almost two weeks since I had found out about my cancer, we know no more than we knew the first day. And so, Lynda and I are going out, not knowing where this all going to end up, but confident that He is going before us knowing exactly what is in store for us.
Meredith, my younger daughter and I were able to get some practice in this faith from our Lord Jesus when we were in San Antonio. It was Sunday and we were in city where there were many churches but which church should we go to. You will have to ask Meredith for the details of the story, but we literally went out Sunday afternoon into San Antonio not knowing where we were going to go to church nor what Church the Lord would lead us to. It was so fun for us to experience in an extremely small way this which the Scriptures spoke about in Heb. 11:8. Again, ask Meredith for the details, but we ended up in Max L. church during a Sunday School teacher’s appreciation dinner eating all the pot-luck food we could ever desire. Max spoke twice that evening and we were able to speak personally with him. We left that evening saying, “Thank you Lord, for not only did You lead us, but you brought us to a wonderful church where we were spiritually fed and physically fed and our hearts are over flowing with joy and thanks to YOU.”
Friday first meeting with the Doctor (10/28/11)
Debbie was so kind to get up with us early this morning to take Friday’s trip into the City. She came with us one more time to make sure that we would arrive on time for our first visit with the Doctor. We left the house around 4:15am and she traveled with us into the city the whole way to the hospital and then returned the whole way back to NJ to be at work on time in the morning. What a trooper and blessed support. She was another reminder to us that the Lord is with us.
Wow, what a wonderful place for people who have cancer and other physical hardships. Sloan-Kettering is filled with Doctors, nurses, office administrators, staff, etc. who compassionately care for patients and we certainly witnessed through out the day the Lord’s gifts and talents that He has given to men and women.
Met with Dr. Brennan and Dr. Lahah and Nurse Christa. All were very kind and thorough asking question and getting answers from both Lynda and me. We love these dear gifted folks and are looking to our Lord to give them wisdom and to continue to use them as they care for countless patients.
Dr. Brennan said that I do have Sarcoma cancer and would be making game plan in the days to come once he gets all the info back from the tests and reports. He has 2 Pathology reports on my last two operations, the operation report, pathology slides and then gave orders to have basically a full body CT scan which was done immediately after I visited with him. Again, the many people involved were so caring and loving. We are overwhelmed with the love of Christ that people are expressing (whether they know it or not).
Just a few more names of people that you could pray for who have touched our lives that day – Brian, Maria, Boruss, Navid, two elderly folks who God touched my heart with and a couple who are expecting their first child.
Wow, what a wonderful place for people who have cancer and other physical hardships. Sloan-Kettering is filled with Doctors, nurses, office administrators, staff, etc. who compassionately care for patients and we certainly witnessed through out the day the Lord’s gifts and talents that He has given to men and women.
Met with Dr. Brennan and Dr. Lahah and Nurse Christa. All were very kind and thorough asking question and getting answers from both Lynda and me. We love these dear gifted folks and are looking to our Lord to give them wisdom and to continue to use them as they care for countless patients.
Dr. Brennan said that I do have Sarcoma cancer and would be making game plan in the days to come once he gets all the info back from the tests and reports. He has 2 Pathology reports on my last two operations, the operation report, pathology slides and then gave orders to have basically a full body CT scan which was done immediately after I visited with him. Again, the many people involved were so caring and loving. We are overwhelmed with the love of Christ that people are expressing (whether they know it or not).
Just a few more names of people that you could pray for who have touched our lives that day – Brian, Maria, Boruss, Navid, two elderly folks who God touched my heart with and a couple who are expecting their first child.
Thursday’s first navigation into the city (10/27/11)
Lynda’s cousin Debbie took off from work on Thursday just to make sure we would know the route and means of transportation to the hospital from NJ, where we are staying.
We boarded a train and took about 50 minute ride, hopped on a taxi that took us right to the Doctor’s office and there delivered the pathology slides that were given to me in AZ We were able to meet Danette along with two other assistants. Danette is Dr. Brennan’s office assistant and has quite the heart of compassion. She is very thorough as well as organized – hence some of the reasons she is there in the office. But any way, it was great to meet the lady whose voice I heard just about a week ago for the first time. And her smile came through the phone and was good to see in person.
We then made it back to the train and back home by the end of the day.
Pray for a taxi car driver by the name of Daniel. We were able to talk on the way to the hospital and I am praying that he would be able to share the wonderful Gospel, which is the greatest story that could ever be heard or told in a taxi. Also Adriana, Hamado, Joe, and Senara, all who the Lord know their situation and was a joy for us to get to know and share Jesus Christ with.
We boarded a train and took about 50 minute ride, hopped on a taxi that took us right to the Doctor’s office and there delivered the pathology slides that were given to me in AZ We were able to meet Danette along with two other assistants. Danette is Dr. Brennan’s office assistant and has quite the heart of compassion. She is very thorough as well as organized – hence some of the reasons she is there in the office. But any way, it was great to meet the lady whose voice I heard just about a week ago for the first time. And her smile came through the phone and was good to see in person.
We then made it back to the train and back home by the end of the day.
Pray for a taxi car driver by the name of Daniel. We were able to talk on the way to the hospital and I am praying that he would be able to share the wonderful Gospel, which is the greatest story that could ever be heard or told in a taxi. Also Adriana, Hamado, Joe, and Senara, all who the Lord know their situation and was a joy for us to get to know and share Jesus Christ with.
Wednesday’s flight to the east coast. (10/26/11)
Lynda ran into a mother of one of her math students at the airport who is a flight attendant (Wendy) and she was just a little reminder to us that the Lord was with us as we started our journey to the NY.
Southwest Airlines as usual treaded us an all the passengers with love and care (amazing how even a bag of peanuts communicates thoughtfulness and in SW case – as many as you want).
We were greeted in NJ by Lynda’s cousin and family (Chris, Deb and sons – Brett and Trenton whose hearts are already so knitted to ours). Had a wonderful evening sharing and even a little discovering – (Chris works at Drew University. He is the director of their library and a host of other things including but not limited to… archives… which was the fun part for us Wednesday eve.)
Southwest Airlines as usual treaded us an all the passengers with love and care (amazing how even a bag of peanuts communicates thoughtfulness and in SW case – as many as you want).
We were greeted in NJ by Lynda’s cousin and family (Chris, Deb and sons – Brett and Trenton whose hearts are already so knitted to ours). Had a wonderful evening sharing and even a little discovering – (Chris works at Drew University. He is the director of their library and a host of other things including but not limited to… archives… which was the fun part for us Wednesday eve.)
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friends in Christ
We had a long time dear friend (Marty and Sheila) call us the other day just to express their concern and to let us know that they were praying for us. In the course of the conversation, Marty said, “Isn’t it neat that there are some friends that the Lord gives us that even though we have hundreds of miles separating, extended amounts of time from each other, and major changes in life itself, as soon as we hear one another’s voice it’s like those separations never existed.”
And our only response is, “Thank you Lord Jesus for the loving relationships You have brought about in our lives.” Marty was right for whenever I hear his voice – “Ok Jerome…” or any friend’s voice there is nothing but the leap of joy in our hearts for that dear friend.
I thank the Lord Jesus who is the One who began our friendships by being our perfect Friend. (John 15:14-15)
And our only response is, “Thank you Lord Jesus for the loving relationships You have brought about in our lives.” Marty was right for whenever I hear his voice – “Ok Jerome…” or any friend’s voice there is nothing but the leap of joy in our hearts for that dear friend.
I thank the Lord Jesus who is the One who began our friendships by being our perfect Friend. (John 15:14-15)
Tears, but not of doubt nor of fear
The morning after we had found out that I had cancer, my wife and were riding into school and we were talking about how we would tell our students (as well as anyone who we love). Tears filled our eyes because the Lord had softened our hearts (Lynda has always had a tender heart towards the Lord, but I on the other hand must confess, do not find my heart nearly as tender as on this day.) At that moment I said to her, “Oh Lynda, I would rather live one day like this – with a heart broken and tender before the Lord, then a lifetime of heart hard like flint (as the Bible sometimes says).
Jesus is our dearest example of heart that was tender – Just look at John 11:35 (thank you Richard for this reminder today) or Mat. 9:36, Luke 13:34, etc. But the Lord always gives us plenty of image bearers of Himself here on earth. One dear brother in the Lord (Bill) stands out in my mind and I must confess, I say, “Oh Lord how I wish I had a tender heart like Bill.“ He is so touched by what God had and is doing and he can communicate it all with tears streaming from his eyes. This is a heart tender and broken before God. When I contemplate on this, God’s word rings in my heart – “The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps. 51:17
Our hearts have been tender, be sure of this. But as I tell the students at school, “When you see tears in my eyes (and when that happens to me, no words come out of my mouth – Lynda can weep and speak, but I can’t) please do not think that these our tears of doubt or fear of anything here on earth. No, these tears are tears of heart that is just being made tender before Lord.”
Jesus is our dearest example of heart that was tender – Just look at John 11:35 (thank you Richard for this reminder today) or Mat. 9:36, Luke 13:34, etc. But the Lord always gives us plenty of image bearers of Himself here on earth. One dear brother in the Lord (Bill) stands out in my mind and I must confess, I say, “Oh Lord how I wish I had a tender heart like Bill.“ He is so touched by what God had and is doing and he can communicate it all with tears streaming from his eyes. This is a heart tender and broken before God. When I contemplate on this, God’s word rings in my heart – “The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps. 51:17
Our hearts have been tender, be sure of this. But as I tell the students at school, “When you see tears in my eyes (and when that happens to me, no words come out of my mouth – Lynda can weep and speak, but I can’t) please do not think that these our tears of doubt or fear of anything here on earth. No, these tears are tears of heart that is just being made tender before Lord.”
If we can trust Him for eternity…
Many times I have said to our students, “If we boast about trusting the Lord for our eternity, then it should be no problem for us to trust Him for today.”
Well the other day as our pastor/elder (Scott) was praying, he said – “If we truly believe you have taken away every sin, then cancer… well it is child’s play.” I was again reminded that we proclaim the cleansing power of Jesus Christ to all those in the world who do not see the need for Him. We are reminded in Col. 1:14 – “in whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin…” Col. 1:20 – “and by Him (Jesus) to reconcile all thing to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through His shed blood on the cross.”
So with this precious faith given to us to know that He has cleansed us from every sin… what is cancer to Him… it is nothing in comparison.
Well the other day as our pastor/elder (Scott) was praying, he said – “If we truly believe you have taken away every sin, then cancer… well it is child’s play.” I was again reminded that we proclaim the cleansing power of Jesus Christ to all those in the world who do not see the need for Him. We are reminded in Col. 1:14 – “in whom (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin…” Col. 1:20 – “and by Him (Jesus) to reconcile all thing to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through His shed blood on the cross.”
So with this precious faith given to us to know that He has cleansed us from every sin… what is cancer to Him… it is nothing in comparison.
A gift from God
When I heard that I have cancer, my mind immediately rushed to the throne of God to say, “Thank you Lord, for where we are here on earth is not our eternal dwelling place. We have this temporary moment to make your eternal and great Name known. This was gift from God.
I was talking to godly and encouraging friend (Mike) a few days later about being thankful for this “gift” from the Lord. And he said, with a twinkle in eye, “And we are saying to the Lord that ‘we will be just as thankful to You for taking this gift back.’”
We laughed with this very truth in mind. But as I thought on these things later in the evening by myself, I said to the Lord, “Is there scripture that speaks to these things.”
Early the next morning when a awoke, this verse came to mind – “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” And then I started to think of all the many things that the Lord has given to us that we turn around and hand back to Him. He gives us life and we give it back. He gives us a spouse and we give the spouse back. He give us children and we give them back. He gives us material possessions and we give them back. The list has no end.
So if He chooses to give me cancer than He can choose to let me give it back. In any circumstance, He is teaching me to be content and to be filled to overflowing with thanksgiving. (Phil. 4:11)
I was talking to godly and encouraging friend (Mike) a few days later about being thankful for this “gift” from the Lord. And he said, with a twinkle in eye, “And we are saying to the Lord that ‘we will be just as thankful to You for taking this gift back.’”
We laughed with this very truth in mind. But as I thought on these things later in the evening by myself, I said to the Lord, “Is there scripture that speaks to these things.”
Early the next morning when a awoke, this verse came to mind – “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” And then I started to think of all the many things that the Lord has given to us that we turn around and hand back to Him. He gives us life and we give it back. He gives us a spouse and we give the spouse back. He give us children and we give them back. He gives us material possessions and we give them back. The list has no end.
So if He chooses to give me cancer than He can choose to let me give it back. In any circumstance, He is teaching me to be content and to be filled to overflowing with thanksgiving. (Phil. 4:11)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
“I am an anyone.”
5 years ago my wife and I had a wake up call from our great Savior, Jesus. I was painting houses and life was just grand and all was well (kind of like “woe to those who are at ease in Zion.”) A lump had developed in my body. I went to the doctor (Daniel) and he sent me to another doctor (Samuel) and he sent me to have an ultra sound done. To make this a shorter story, he had me rushed to the hospital because there was a great suspicion that this was cancer.
When I learned of my condition, I contacted my long time dear friend (Ron). He told me on the phone, “Hey Jerome, my dad (Don) had something like you but much more progressed. The Doctor removed it and would have given his right arm if it was not cancer – that how sure it was cancer. But the report came back from pathology that it was non-cancerous. And that could happen to you.”
Well I know that my friend would never tell me anything that was meant to be discouraging, but when I hung up the phone, I said to the Lord. “Well Lord, you would do that for a godly man like Ron’s dad, who has lived a righteous life for you. But Lord, you know me, I am not like him."
The following day I continued to call on the Lord with all my heart to have mercy on me. That evening I was reading in Mark. You will have to read the gospel (it is the shortest of the 3) and twice, Mark records Jesus going into an area and anyone who heard He was in the area, ran to HIM with their loved ones who were ill. And as many as He touched or came to Him, He healed. After reading that twice in Mark, I exclaimed, “O LORD, I may not be like Ron’s dad, but I am like these “anyone”s and I am going to run to you like they did. O Lord, I am an ‘anyone’ who is running to you!” So I ran to the Lord.
The lump 5 years ago was removed and found to be totally benign. That is what the Lord Jesus can do.
But after I realized that Lord heard my cry about my condition, in a way that only the Lord Jesus can do, He had me take another look at those two passages in Mark again. This time I saw the scriptures say – (paraphrased) “the people ran to Him BRINGING THEIR SICK ONES, and as many HE touched, were healed."
And it was like the Lord was saying, “did you notice how broken you were over your own condition? That is what you should be like with everyone else's conditions.”
Again, I will never truly understand on this side of heaven why He would chose to use us, as we cry out to Him for others, to complete HIS will. But that is His reason and for me to only trust.
Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That was a promise that the Lord has made and will keep, this is certain. I am glad that you and I are “whoevers” or “anyones”.
When I learned of my condition, I contacted my long time dear friend (Ron). He told me on the phone, “Hey Jerome, my dad (Don) had something like you but much more progressed. The Doctor removed it and would have given his right arm if it was not cancer – that how sure it was cancer. But the report came back from pathology that it was non-cancerous. And that could happen to you.”
Well I know that my friend would never tell me anything that was meant to be discouraging, but when I hung up the phone, I said to the Lord. “Well Lord, you would do that for a godly man like Ron’s dad, who has lived a righteous life for you. But Lord, you know me, I am not like him."
The following day I continued to call on the Lord with all my heart to have mercy on me. That evening I was reading in Mark. You will have to read the gospel (it is the shortest of the 3) and twice, Mark records Jesus going into an area and anyone who heard He was in the area, ran to HIM with their loved ones who were ill. And as many as He touched or came to Him, He healed. After reading that twice in Mark, I exclaimed, “O LORD, I may not be like Ron’s dad, but I am like these “anyone”s and I am going to run to you like they did. O Lord, I am an ‘anyone’ who is running to you!” So I ran to the Lord.
The lump 5 years ago was removed and found to be totally benign. That is what the Lord Jesus can do.
But after I realized that Lord heard my cry about my condition, in a way that only the Lord Jesus can do, He had me take another look at those two passages in Mark again. This time I saw the scriptures say – (paraphrased) “the people ran to Him BRINGING THEIR SICK ONES, and as many HE touched, were healed."
And it was like the Lord was saying, “did you notice how broken you were over your own condition? That is what you should be like with everyone else's conditions.”
Again, I will never truly understand on this side of heaven why He would chose to use us, as we cry out to Him for others, to complete HIS will. But that is His reason and for me to only trust.
Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That was a promise that the Lord has made and will keep, this is certain. I am glad that you and I are “whoevers” or “anyones”.
I am torn between the two…
Yesterday after school a dear, dear student of mine (Caleb) came up to me in class after everyone was had gone to show me a few verses that the Lord had used to teach him some truth that, well at his age or even at my age, is far beyond our grasp. In tears he read these verses to me…
And this is what the Lord taught us yesterday again. This is why we can not tell God what to do – we can’t say, God keep me here or let me go, for that is beyond what any man’s wisdom could decided.
So my wife (Lynda) says to me, “well if you do go, we are left here to struggle and you are up there already enjoying Him forevermore.” So two days ago I made a commitment to my wife in the car, something that I now cannot go back on. We are reminded that there is one vehicle (thanks Dave, for this thought) that God will use to bring us home (at this moment) and that each one of us will have to get on some time (death).
And another dear friend (Rick) said, “I know that, but I wish sometimes there was just another vehicle”, and as the words were coming out of his mouth we both lit up with this thought – there is another vehicle – it is called the rapture (or second coming of Christ) of the church.
So I told Lynda in the car that right now I have plan “A”, which is here on earth is to fight, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in HIS strength, with everything that is within me to take that vehicle to be with Him in glory. I will go through whatever to see His dear face come for us as a church in which we, for the first time, in history, will as host of people, escape death (vehicle 1) to be with our Lord. And then I had to say to Lynda, “and then, there is plan “B”… But for now I am aiming for plan “A” for His glory and for her comfort.
(When you see names in my blog, they are there to bring some kind of context to the stories and for us to pray specifically for those who have and continue to be used by our Lord in this moment in our life.)
Phil.1:20-26 – “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”This dear student understood before me the struggle that is at war with any of who truly believe in Jesus – Do we stay here on earth with the ones we love or go to be with the Lord who we love above all others.
And this is what the Lord taught us yesterday again. This is why we can not tell God what to do – we can’t say, God keep me here or let me go, for that is beyond what any man’s wisdom could decided.
So my wife (Lynda) says to me, “well if you do go, we are left here to struggle and you are up there already enjoying Him forevermore.” So two days ago I made a commitment to my wife in the car, something that I now cannot go back on. We are reminded that there is one vehicle (thanks Dave, for this thought) that God will use to bring us home (at this moment) and that each one of us will have to get on some time (death).
And another dear friend (Rick) said, “I know that, but I wish sometimes there was just another vehicle”, and as the words were coming out of his mouth we both lit up with this thought – there is another vehicle – it is called the rapture (or second coming of Christ) of the church.
So I told Lynda in the car that right now I have plan “A”, which is here on earth is to fight, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in HIS strength, with everything that is within me to take that vehicle to be with Him in glory. I will go through whatever to see His dear face come for us as a church in which we, for the first time, in history, will as host of people, escape death (vehicle 1) to be with our Lord. And then I had to say to Lynda, “and then, there is plan “B”… But for now I am aiming for plan “A” for His glory and for her comfort.
(When you see names in my blog, they are there to bring some kind of context to the stories and for us to pray specifically for those who have and continue to be used by our Lord in this moment in our life.)
Torn between two…
Torn between two… Talking of our great and might Jesus or of this sinner saved only by HIS grace.
Last evening my wife (Lynda) and I met with two pastors/elders (Scott and Smedly) to pray. A thoughtful friend of mine, (James), and somewhat brother because his folks became the masters of our dog, Gilbert, sent a text to me the day before:
So our dear elders wanted to pray and started off by re-reading this passage and then turned to me and in humility asked if there was any sin that I needed to confess that brought about this sickness? Wow, any sin(s) that I needed to confess?
Somehow the conversation turned to other things among us all but as the others were talking, I had to bow my head and pray. “Lord what do you want me to say about my sin? We could be here all night and for days if I have to confess my sin to my dear brothers in Christ.”
I am not quite sure how we got back to the question first asked, but I must confess – “this cancer, possible death… is it a result of a sin or many sins? This sin(s), is God going to discipline? This sin, does God have an extreme hatred for? This sin, whether one or many, does it not bare consequences way beyond this man who has committed the transgressions? This sin(s), is it not something that the word of God continues to warn us about but we turn a deaf ear to at times? This sin…, if only one sin (and you must all know it is not just one) and only one sin in my whole life, if not dealt with by our Great God and Savior Jesus would cast me away from His everlasting presence forever. This sin, if only one sin would never be resolved or removed by this man who has committed it, nor by any mere man on the face of this earth. This man sitting before these godly saints had to humbly and quickly acknowledge all the above in his soul and then remember Hebrews 12:5…”My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives.”
Where do I begin with these dear men? Well I recounted to them that my wife knows of every sin I have committed. I have confessed to her and will continue to humbly confess to her all that the Lord is dealing with this sinful man saved by grace. My wife and I have confessed our sins to our daughters who we know inherit this from us and continue to confess our sins to our son-in-law and maybe … (that is another thought). We have confessed our sins to friends and family as we go along the way. We are an open book and in humility are willing to disclose any and all the wrong we have done.
But how much more should I mention of that which I shamefully have done against my great and mighty Savior in comparison to speaking about all that He has forgiven and will continue to forgive. In a nutshell, while we are one this earth we will be torn between talking of our great and might Jesus or of this sinner’s sin that can only be resolved by the one who we so much want to make most of. This is why I hate sin so much. I hate any time that we have to take attention off of Him who is the sinless, spotless Lamb and place attention on this fallen short, rebellious, and hardhearted person that God has committed Himself to saving and is commanding to be holy as He is.
So, elders at Grace Bible Church, this is what you have so lovingly accepted in your midst. I say to my heavenly Father who has placed every sin upon His one and only Son – “please have mercy on our dear church for the sin(s) I have committed for one look at my suffering savior on the cross reminds me that sin affects way more than this one who has transgressed will ever imagine and that my sin has already done the most hideous act known to man. (Christ died for the unjust, the just for the unjust.)
But thank you Lord Jesus, that not just one sin (as the one sin committed in the garden which has and is still affecting every generation that breathes it’s first breath on earth) has been paid for but that “YOU ARE THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!” And during one of the elder’s prayer, he said, “Lord, if you can deal with the sin of the world, what is cancer – it’s child’s play to you.”
I love you Lord and we have only a short moment here on earth to lay a side the sin and the weights that so easily side track us and to fix our eyes on JESUS the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:1-2) And then we have all of eternity to thank Him for what great things He has done in such short time here on earth.
Last evening my wife (Lynda) and I met with two pastors/elders (Scott and Smedly) to pray. A thoughtful friend of mine, (James), and somewhat brother because his folks became the masters of our dog, Gilbert, sent a text to me the day before:
James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”In this passage we are instructed on how to deal with the various issues in life here on earth: Suffering-pray, Cheerful-sing psalms, sick-call elders, pray and anoint, sins-forgiveness, trespasses-confession, pray, because the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
So our dear elders wanted to pray and started off by re-reading this passage and then turned to me and in humility asked if there was any sin that I needed to confess that brought about this sickness? Wow, any sin(s) that I needed to confess?
Somehow the conversation turned to other things among us all but as the others were talking, I had to bow my head and pray. “Lord what do you want me to say about my sin? We could be here all night and for days if I have to confess my sin to my dear brothers in Christ.”
I am not quite sure how we got back to the question first asked, but I must confess – “this cancer, possible death… is it a result of a sin or many sins? This sin(s), is God going to discipline? This sin, does God have an extreme hatred for? This sin, whether one or many, does it not bare consequences way beyond this man who has committed the transgressions? This sin(s), is it not something that the word of God continues to warn us about but we turn a deaf ear to at times? This sin…, if only one sin (and you must all know it is not just one) and only one sin in my whole life, if not dealt with by our Great God and Savior Jesus would cast me away from His everlasting presence forever. This sin, if only one sin would never be resolved or removed by this man who has committed it, nor by any mere man on the face of this earth. This man sitting before these godly saints had to humbly and quickly acknowledge all the above in his soul and then remember Hebrews 12:5…”My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves he chastens and scourges every son whom he receives.”
Where do I begin with these dear men? Well I recounted to them that my wife knows of every sin I have committed. I have confessed to her and will continue to humbly confess to her all that the Lord is dealing with this sinful man saved by grace. My wife and I have confessed our sins to our daughters who we know inherit this from us and continue to confess our sins to our son-in-law and maybe … (that is another thought). We have confessed our sins to friends and family as we go along the way. We are an open book and in humility are willing to disclose any and all the wrong we have done.
But how much more should I mention of that which I shamefully have done against my great and mighty Savior in comparison to speaking about all that He has forgiven and will continue to forgive. In a nutshell, while we are one this earth we will be torn between talking of our great and might Jesus or of this sinner’s sin that can only be resolved by the one who we so much want to make most of. This is why I hate sin so much. I hate any time that we have to take attention off of Him who is the sinless, spotless Lamb and place attention on this fallen short, rebellious, and hardhearted person that God has committed Himself to saving and is commanding to be holy as He is.
So, elders at Grace Bible Church, this is what you have so lovingly accepted in your midst. I say to my heavenly Father who has placed every sin upon His one and only Son – “please have mercy on our dear church for the sin(s) I have committed for one look at my suffering savior on the cross reminds me that sin affects way more than this one who has transgressed will ever imagine and that my sin has already done the most hideous act known to man. (Christ died for the unjust, the just for the unjust.)
But thank you Lord Jesus, that not just one sin (as the one sin committed in the garden which has and is still affecting every generation that breathes it’s first breath on earth) has been paid for but that “YOU ARE THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!” And during one of the elder’s prayer, he said, “Lord, if you can deal with the sin of the world, what is cancer – it’s child’s play to you.”
I love you Lord and we have only a short moment here on earth to lay a side the sin and the weights that so easily side track us and to fix our eyes on JESUS the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12:1-2) And then we have all of eternity to thank Him for what great things He has done in such short time here on earth.
We have a problem...
Over the years the Lord has taught us (our Bible classes, by the way, these students have taught me more through His word than this teacher will ever have taught them, I am in dept to these students - I love you too for pointing me to Jesus daily) about dealing with problems beyond our means. We are invited by the Lord to cry out to Him about our situations but somehow when we face our problems beyond your means, somehow we turn them around to the point we start to tell God what to do with the problem. This will never happen – that God would take instructions from man on how to solve any problem. But as often, “where Mr. Redding do we learn this in the Bible?”
Joshua 10 tells this incredible story about something that only once happened in all of history. Never before and never after this one event did this thing ever happen that happened on the day in Joshua 10. Many who have read Joshua 10 already know the story and some who know the story are already jumping to the conclusion. But look at Joshua 10:14 and carefully meditate on what God had only done that day and never again would do.
Travel in history 1500+ years later to a little town in Cana where there is a wedding and the wine bottles are empty and there is still more wedding to go. We have a problem. In John 2, watch what Mary (the earthly mother who knows her son better than probably any other person on earth) says to her son who would do anything she would bid him to do. But Mary, knowing her son so well, says something that has no solution but only acknowledges the problem – “We have no wine.” She then goes quickly to the servants and tells them – “what ever He tells you to do, do it.” And from that moment on, what takes place… well to put it as simply, no one would ever imagined in their wildest imagination what was about to take place – and it happened – the impossible became possible with Jesus.
So, we have learned from these two passages (as well as many others, see also John 11, etc.) that bringing life’s problems to the Lord Jesus without trying to tell Him what to do, and then waiting on Him to do that which only He would do, well we again do not cease to be amazed.
So I get a text from one of my student (Caden) the other day “… so as I pray, I am telling God, ‘Mr. Redding has cancer, and YOU know what to do with that.’”
It is such a joy to know that these students are already running to our Lord and looking to Him to do that which no man would ever conceive.
Know that when you share your requests, we are running to our might God and Savior saying , …”We have a problem and You know what to do with it.”
What a great God we serve!
Joshua 10 tells this incredible story about something that only once happened in all of history. Never before and never after this one event did this thing ever happen that happened on the day in Joshua 10. Many who have read Joshua 10 already know the story and some who know the story are already jumping to the conclusion. But look at Joshua 10:14 and carefully meditate on what God had only done that day and never again would do.
Travel in history 1500+ years later to a little town in Cana where there is a wedding and the wine bottles are empty and there is still more wedding to go. We have a problem. In John 2, watch what Mary (the earthly mother who knows her son better than probably any other person on earth) says to her son who would do anything she would bid him to do. But Mary, knowing her son so well, says something that has no solution but only acknowledges the problem – “We have no wine.” She then goes quickly to the servants and tells them – “what ever He tells you to do, do it.” And from that moment on, what takes place… well to put it as simply, no one would ever imagined in their wildest imagination what was about to take place – and it happened – the impossible became possible with Jesus.
So, we have learned from these two passages (as well as many others, see also John 11, etc.) that bringing life’s problems to the Lord Jesus without trying to tell Him what to do, and then waiting on Him to do that which only He would do, well we again do not cease to be amazed.
So I get a text from one of my student (Caden) the other day “… so as I pray, I am telling God, ‘Mr. Redding has cancer, and YOU know what to do with that.’”
It is such a joy to know that these students are already running to our Lord and looking to Him to do that which no man would ever conceive.
Know that when you share your requests, we are running to our might God and Savior saying , …”We have a problem and You know what to do with it.”
What a great God we serve!
The humility of God
The Lord calls us to humility and we must understand that somehow, what He calls us to be or be doing, He wants us to be demonstrating a certain characteristic of Himself.
So how is God humble we may ask? And when I think of our infinite God as humble, I have nothing but humility as a response.
1. He is humble in that He waits do things in this history upon us crying out for him in prayer to do – “Your will be done on earth as it is heaven.”
2. That He would even desire us to ask for something that we do not even understand what it is that we are truly asking for.
3. That he would use a person who is just clay, dust of the earth, a mere 70+ years to live to accomplish His eternal will.
4. That HE would stoop to wash one of HIS disciples feet who 3 years earlier this disciple had another teacher say about HIM – “I am not even worthy to untie His sandal straps.”
That HE, after suffering the most cruel and torturous crucifixion on the cross, continues to suffer with us, everyone who calls upon HIS name to save HE also signs up to suffer with. (Col. 1:24, Acts 9:3-5, I Peter 4:12-13, Phil 3:10-11).
So how is God humble we may ask? And when I think of our infinite God as humble, I have nothing but humility as a response.
1. He is humble in that He waits do things in this history upon us crying out for him in prayer to do – “Your will be done on earth as it is heaven.”
2. That He would even desire us to ask for something that we do not even understand what it is that we are truly asking for.
3. That he would use a person who is just clay, dust of the earth, a mere 70+ years to live to accomplish His eternal will.
4. That HE would stoop to wash one of HIS disciples feet who 3 years earlier this disciple had another teacher say about HIM – “I am not even worthy to untie His sandal straps.”
That HE, after suffering the most cruel and torturous crucifixion on the cross, continues to suffer with us, everyone who calls upon HIS name to save HE also signs up to suffer with. (Col. 1:24, Acts 9:3-5, I Peter 4:12-13, Phil 3:10-11).
Marveling about our great God and Savior.
One of our pastors/elders (Smedly) read a verse to us from 2 Thess. 1:10 - …”when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired (or marveled at) among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” After reading this verse, he had us consider how for all eternity we will continue to grow in our marveling of our Savior and the marvel will not cease but in fact will grow greater throughout eternity. So by now, what will be written is already anti-climatic because most of you have already more marveled than I have on this earth.
But I do marvel…
Here are a few marvels I have of our great God and Savior:
He created the universe in 6 days but He bids us to wait on Him? What could we possibly be waiting for that takes more time than Him creating the universe in 6 days?
David, cries out to God – “Hasten, O Lord…” What is man in such a hurry that a God who created the universe in 6 days could ever want faster than that?
The Bible says that by one sin – all have sinned and all are continually being affected by just that first and one sin, but now, 6000+ years later, we have billions of people not just sinning once, but sinning every day and how much is that affecting the future – I marvel that any man ignorance who would think a mere man could do any thing about our condition. I marvel even more at the wisdom of God who could only take His one and Only Son, GOD/MAN and he not only took care of that first sin and it’s consequences, but for the sin of the world. How much have we done today that is going to greatly affect those around us and He has already dealt with that on the Cross 2000 years ago.
Shorter blogs, better blogs in my book, so I will end there for now.
But I do marvel…
Here are a few marvels I have of our great God and Savior:
He created the universe in 6 days but He bids us to wait on Him? What could we possibly be waiting for that takes more time than Him creating the universe in 6 days?
David, cries out to God – “Hasten, O Lord…” What is man in such a hurry that a God who created the universe in 6 days could ever want faster than that?
The Bible says that by one sin – all have sinned and all are continually being affected by just that first and one sin, but now, 6000+ years later, we have billions of people not just sinning once, but sinning every day and how much is that affecting the future – I marvel that any man ignorance who would think a mere man could do any thing about our condition. I marvel even more at the wisdom of God who could only take His one and Only Son, GOD/MAN and he not only took care of that first sin and it’s consequences, but for the sin of the world. How much have we done today that is going to greatly affect those around us and He has already dealt with that on the Cross 2000 years ago.
Shorter blogs, better blogs in my book, so I will end there for now.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
On the way to New York
Jerome and his wife Lynda stepped on a plane this morning at 8:20 to fly to New York for Jerome to receive medical treatment for the sarcoma. He will be going to the internationally known Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. On Friday Jerome will consult with a panel of doctors who will determine the course of treatment. The Reddings have family that live in the area. They thank GCS for all of the prayers, support, and love.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Laughter with Brotherly Love
There is nothing like this Caucasian, meat and potatoes loving, Pennsylvania small town boy whose life collides with a Hispanic, Spanish rice loving, big city Chicago boy named David. The Lord definitely has a sense of humor in our brotherly love relationship. His humorous image is born through our friendship.
I cannot thank the Lord enough for the gift of laughter at the smallest of things that takes place between this dear brother in Christ. Here is a sample of just one of the ways we communicate (via text):
The scripture speaks of how wonderful it is for brothers who dwell together in unity. Jesus Christ makes the world of difference in these “brothers who dwell together” (even if it only by the slender line of a text message that covers hundreds of miles) and we will never cease to give Him thanks for all things He has done and is doing and will do forever more.
I cannot thank the Lord enough for the gift of laughter at the smallest of things that takes place between this dear brother in Christ. Here is a sample of just one of the ways we communicate (via text):
David: What’s your address?
Jerome: …. AZ…
Jerome: Going into Manhattan as I text this.
David: Bring a knife.
Jerome: No need, got your mug shot, scares them all away.
David: Watch it… they still are looking for me in Chicago for being Spanish.
Jerome: So if the NYPD show up at your door today, you know who sent them.
David: And I now have your address too.
The scripture speaks of how wonderful it is for brothers who dwell together in unity. Jesus Christ makes the world of difference in these “brothers who dwell together” (even if it only by the slender line of a text message that covers hundreds of miles) and we will never cease to give Him thanks for all things He has done and is doing and will do forever more.
Open doors that no man will shut and closed doors no man will open.
I have a brother in law (Grady) who I must say God has blessed with so much wisdom beyond his years. His council is steadfast and resolved. And this was the case when he learned that I had cancer.
The day after I found out that I had cancer, Grady was saying to me, “We are going to get you into the best doctor at Sloan – Ketterin.” I have never heard of this place and how was he going to get me to a place that does not even know my name.
I mentioned to my Doctor (Samuel) that my brother-in-law was working on getting me into this hospital and my doctor with a Christ-like humility said, “I respect them and that would be good. Just make sure you go as quick as possible.” (All along the way we have seen these gifted Doctors display such humility and honor – they are preaching a great sermon to us in their manners.)
1-2 days pass and Grady calls me in the evening to say that he was still working with another Doctor in TN who knows this Doctor in NY and it may take a little more time.
That evening I laid my head down with the thoughts, “go as quick as you can.” And in the middle of the night was awaken to this scripture – (paraphrased) “I open doors that no man can shut. And I close doors that no man can open.” And I said, “Thank you Lord, Yes you alone are going to continue to do this throughout all history. I also know that you welcome us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5). So I ask that you would give my faithful brother-in-law wisdom. Wisdom to know if you have opened a door that will not be shut and we just need to keep pressing on. Or give wisdom to know that you have closed a door that will not be opened and we do not want to waist any time on that.
Well before school started that morning, Grady called me from TN and said, “We have a Doctor in Sloan-Kettering…” The door was still wide open and I thanked God for again giving my dear brother-in-law, wisdom.
The day after I found out that I had cancer, Grady was saying to me, “We are going to get you into the best doctor at Sloan – Ketterin.” I have never heard of this place and how was he going to get me to a place that does not even know my name.
I mentioned to my Doctor (Samuel) that my brother-in-law was working on getting me into this hospital and my doctor with a Christ-like humility said, “I respect them and that would be good. Just make sure you go as quick as possible.” (All along the way we have seen these gifted Doctors display such humility and honor – they are preaching a great sermon to us in their manners.)
1-2 days pass and Grady calls me in the evening to say that he was still working with another Doctor in TN who knows this Doctor in NY and it may take a little more time.
That evening I laid my head down with the thoughts, “go as quick as you can.” And in the middle of the night was awaken to this scripture – (paraphrased) “I open doors that no man can shut. And I close doors that no man can open.” And I said, “Thank you Lord, Yes you alone are going to continue to do this throughout all history. I also know that you welcome us to ask for wisdom (James 1:5). So I ask that you would give my faithful brother-in-law wisdom. Wisdom to know if you have opened a door that will not be shut and we just need to keep pressing on. Or give wisdom to know that you have closed a door that will not be opened and we do not want to waist any time on that.
Well before school started that morning, Grady called me from TN and said, “We have a Doctor in Sloan-Kettering…” The door was still wide open and I thanked God for again giving my dear brother-in-law, wisdom.
A lot of students are praying for you.
As we began to meet the doctors and nurses this morning, conversation turns quickly to what has led us up to this moment. So we tell them our story and along the way they begin to understand that we truly have our confidence in the Lord.
As we tell them of our occupation, we are letting these dear folks up here in NY know that there are a lot of students in the school where we teach who are praying for them. This has touched a number of the staff to the point of tears around here. People are moved when God’s children pray.
So let us not for get the words of our Lord as He looked out among the sea of people coming towards Him and His disciples - (Matt. 9:38) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into his harvest.” May we be faithful in His harvest as you, our dear students, family and friends have been faithful to our Lord Jesus in prayer. We love you all so much and thank the Lord that we are not alone in this endeavor.
As we tell them of our occupation, we are letting these dear folks up here in NY know that there are a lot of students in the school where we teach who are praying for them. This has touched a number of the staff to the point of tears around here. People are moved when God’s children pray.
So let us not for get the words of our Lord as He looked out among the sea of people coming towards Him and His disciples - (Matt. 9:38) “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into his harvest.” May we be faithful in His harvest as you, our dear students, family and friends have been faithful to our Lord Jesus in prayer. We love you all so much and thank the Lord that we are not alone in this endeavor.
I was reading Zechariah this morning and in the darkest time of Israel and Judah, God gives Zechariah prophesies after prophesies that were pointing the people of Zechariah's day to His coming SON. (Just one instant - 6:12 - "Behold the Man whose name is the BRANCH!...) So I wrote in the margin of my Bible, "In their darkest moments, Jesus is made known." And this is and will always be my prayer as I have breath here on earth - "May our Lord Jesus be made known in every thing we do and go through!"
Well, a lot has happened in literally a little more than 36 hours. Thirty-six hours ago I was in Dr. Goldberg's office just waiting to hear how the healing from a surgery he performed a week ago was coming along. He removed a cyst a week ago with most assurance that it was just a cyst. He came into the examination room to say the cyst was successfully removed, but he had found some other tissue above the cyst that he removed and sent it off to Pathology. It came back as cancer (the cyst was just a cyst, but the tissue above was cancerous). It is a very rare form, one that he had not experienced yet and did not know any doctor in the Valley with experience in this form. It is called Sarcoma of the spermatic cord. It needs to be removed, but how... well, that was what the Lord began to unfold over the 36 hours.
With my immediate family (7 siblings who all pass the word in prayer around like a wild fire) and dear brother-in-law who is a surgeon over in Tennessee... well, to say the least before and after school it has been like a few minutes in time.
At this stage, my brother-in-law is working on sending me to a hospital in New York City who specializes in this type of cancer. We are waiting to hear what the Lord would have us do next and following any and all directives from my doctor here and my brother-in-law there.
Thank you for your love and prayers. I love you and thank the Lord for you and appreciate your prayers to our great and mighty Savior, Jesus. I taught the students and my family over the years to present the situations that arise in life to the Lord, and He knows best what to do with them.
I love our families in our school and thank the Lord for them too. Again, my prayer and greatest desire is that our Lord Jesus is glorified and loved through all that happens in the days to come.
God bless,
Jerome and Lynda
Well, a lot has happened in literally a little more than 36 hours. Thirty-six hours ago I was in Dr. Goldberg's office just waiting to hear how the healing from a surgery he performed a week ago was coming along. He removed a cyst a week ago with most assurance that it was just a cyst. He came into the examination room to say the cyst was successfully removed, but he had found some other tissue above the cyst that he removed and sent it off to Pathology. It came back as cancer (the cyst was just a cyst, but the tissue above was cancerous). It is a very rare form, one that he had not experienced yet and did not know any doctor in the Valley with experience in this form. It is called Sarcoma of the spermatic cord. It needs to be removed, but how... well, that was what the Lord began to unfold over the 36 hours.
With my immediate family (7 siblings who all pass the word in prayer around like a wild fire) and dear brother-in-law who is a surgeon over in Tennessee... well, to say the least before and after school it has been like a few minutes in time.
At this stage, my brother-in-law is working on sending me to a hospital in New York City who specializes in this type of cancer. We are waiting to hear what the Lord would have us do next and following any and all directives from my doctor here and my brother-in-law there.
Thank you for your love and prayers. I love you and thank the Lord for you and appreciate your prayers to our great and mighty Savior, Jesus. I taught the students and my family over the years to present the situations that arise in life to the Lord, and He knows best what to do with them.
I love our families in our school and thank the Lord for them too. Again, my prayer and greatest desire is that our Lord Jesus is glorified and loved through all that happens in the days to come.
God bless,
Jerome and Lynda
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