Update from Bethany 11/30/11

This morning my dad met with his doctor in NY to go over the pathology report from his surgery last Tues. For now they got it all!! :) Praise God!! :) they want him back in NY in a couple of months to see if things have changed- they told him and my mom that with this type of cancer there is a chance it can come back but they are going to watch him closely. We are so thankful for such wonderful doctors and nurses! God has truly supplied their every need while being in NY :) thank you all soooooo much for your continued prayers! We are so thankful for you!!

Update 11/29/11

Tomorrow at 8:15am we are to meet with the Dr. Brennan and Dr. Wolf as a week after surgery check up and hope to hear the results from the pathology. We hope to know, Lord willing, more of when we can head home. Looking at another full day. Requesting from our Lord wisdom for the Dr.s and all involved with us and patients like us.
God bless,
Jerome

The Paradox of Sheep and the Lamb

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV)

Although we are counted as sheep for the slaughter, I did not see some of my actions line up to Lamb of God who suffered for all His people.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NKJV)

I found myself in my pain today, but not dealing with the pain as my Great Mighty Savior. I was to say the least - a bit irritable, hearing myself say to Lynda, “Hurry up” and then a few minutes later saying, “I can’t walk that fast- slow down.” I found my mind wandering to the pain in the area of my incision, and thinking way to much of my situation than others who are in far worst conditions (or not in worst but have asked me to pray about something.)

So different from our Savior who said very little while being shamefully beaten and blasphemed by men who vehemently hated him. I had a wife who loves me by my side all day in my pain and there to only help me. He from the cross said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” I had to say several times throughout the day (and I could have said this many more times) – “I am so sorry Lynda for being snippy and impatient with you while you were just helping me.” He was shoved by men and pushed to the limits. I was the one pushing and wanting my way through the day. He was beaten and crushed with destruction awaiting Him. I am cared for and pampered with healing awaiting me. He cried from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me. I cried throughout the day, “O Lord, I have forsaken you in my thoughts and my actions today, have mercy on me.”

All of this to say, “What a wonderful Savior we have! And one day when I grow up, I want to be just like Him.” But for now, I know He is with me in my small pain (in comparison to His) and He knows how to deal with this light affliction that I am going through. O, how I long for everyone, whether you are experiencing great pain or great pleasure, pressures or peace, fear or freedom, sorrow or gladness, sinfulness or goodness, poverty or prosperity, (etc.) you and I would know this great Savior – Our Lord Jesus – better today than ever before.

Update 11/28/11 An Unexpected Turn This Evening

The Lord continues to go before us as we are here in NYC. Was able to Skype one of the Bible classes today – what a treat. We are hoping to see the students on line tomorrow. Have been able to talk with so many interesting people here in the City and to hear what the Lord is doing around them and through them (whether they see things that way or not). There are so many dear folks.

This evening Lynda talked to an Associate Dr., who is working along side Dr. Brennan (Dr. Wolf), and he felt it would be good to come over to the hospital this evening after talking to Lynda to make sure things were still on track. While waiting to see him, was able to talk to some more folks who are dealing with cancer.

To make this blog short, he prescribed an antibiotic for mostly precautionary reasons. Again, what a wonderful group of doctors the Lord has surrounded us with that Dr. Wolf would come out, probably after a long day, in the evening to look upon my condition. We just continue to thank the Lord over and over for such humble and gifted men and women- we are truly overwhelmed by the care and love that they convey for their patients.

I was telling a couple (Ross and Marjorie) this evening after our visit with Dr. Wolf, “If the Lord Jesus healed a man 2000 years ago by reaching down to a pile a dust, spitting in the dust and then taking that mud to the blind man’s eyes to make him see. How much more can He use gifted men (who He formed from the dust of the ground and will return to that form if He does not come back before) like Dr. Wolf and Dr. Brennan and Dr. Morton. These are just a few (like the sand on a sea shore if you were to view history as a whole) who the Lord Jesus has chosen to use to bring healing to this cancerous body of mine.

“We love you Jesus and can hardly wait to tell another soul here on earth of all the great things you are still doing this very day. What a day it will be when we experience seeing you face to face – yes, it is not death to die, and we long for you to return so Satan does not even get a taste of an ever so slight, momentary, seemingly victory. O Lord Jesus, please come soon! (Rev. 22:20)

A sweet song that I came across through Sovereign Grace Music Ministry.

Lyrics to “It Is Not Death To Die.”
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Product/M4225-12-58/It_Is_Not_Death_to_Die_LYRICS.aspx

It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

Chorus O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)