Cancer Report 05/30/2012

Cancer Update 05/30/2012

It’s 7 pm and just returned from Oncologist office.  The tests show that the colon cancer is stable. Prostate cancer stable.  I thank Jesus the He has His hands on this situation.

14 days repeat complete blood count to monitor my immune levels then  new ct scan scheduled for July 28 to get a visual reading on the colon cancer results. 

Looking good.  Continual prayer required.  Huge thanks to you all for your prayers, love, and concern.

Richard

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Today we celebrate the birth of the Church (the body of Christ--You, me, all believers in Christ). This is one of the most joyous and certainly, important celebrations of the Church.
On the day of Pentecost as the 120 were praying in the upper room as commanded by Jesus, "Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  Then,what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."Acts 2:2-4.

From that day forward the disciples were transformed into powerful witnesses of the Gospel and the Gospel is now preached and practiced throughout the World.  No Pentecost, no Church.  No Holy Spirit living within us, no power or conviction.  You and I, together with all believers are the Church and are empowered by God to bring the Good News to the World.

PLEASE read the 2nd Chapter of Acts to understand the Holy and Glorious gift of Pentecost and the awesome responsibility we all have to be HIS Witnesses to the World.

May we truly and joyfully celebrate this Day that the Lord has made.

Worshipping in the Temple of GOD.

We are saved by the Grace of God through the Blood of Jesus.  Well, what is so important about  following the teachings of Jesus concerning how we are to live out our salvation? ETERNAL REWARDS and JOY unspeakable. Look at Psalm 15.  "Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your Holy Hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever."

The joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God.  We enjoy these benefits Now and Eternally.

A DAILY SUPPLICATION

The following prayer from Psalms is a great way to start each day.  As we pray this prayer we need to stop at each line and meditate on what we are saying.  Rote prayer may have a role in our relationship with God, but He obviously wants us to communicate with him from our own heart.  Peace.

"Teach me your ways, O Lord that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God

I will give glory to your name forever for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death" Psalm 86:11-13

Yes, God has rescued us from eternal death through the precious blood of His dearly beloved Son Jesus.

FEELING BETTER

TODAY MAY 23, 2012 My wife, Son and I are doing MUCH better.  The Dr. said that this is a form of virus and that it needs to run it's course.  The symptoms, while highly unusual,  are not serious and will subside in a short time..  They already are.

I don't like using this blog to complain about health issues of my family, however, since we (you and I) are brother and sister through the blood of Christ we need to support one another in prayer.  Thank you so very much for your encouraging comments.

One week from today I will receive my Cancer update to determine how well the treatment is doing.  I am looking forward to sharing with you a bright and joyful report.

May we continue in the Word and apply the teachings of our Father, given to us by Jesus.  Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  So, when we read His Word, we are hearing Him DIRECTLY! May we take every Word with faith and confidence.  Continuing to love God with all our body, mind soul and strength. continuing to share the TRUTH and LIVING the Truth. 

God is So Good.

REFINING LIKE GOLD

Our Lord Jesus and Father God sometimes allow adversity in our lives to help us grow in trust in Him.
This past 7 days have been an opportunity to place our TOTAL trust in the Lord.  Last Wednesday our son Vince started with a horrendous dry cough that was relentless and strength draining along with disabling muscle weakness.  Starting 2 days later My Wife started with the same symptoms followed by me on Saturday.

This has been a horrible experience for each of us.  All too weak to seek medical help.  In my nearly 2 years of battling Cancer I have never had such pain and weakness.  Tomorrow I travel to our Doctor for diagnosis and Hopefully successful treatment.  This has all the markings of Virus infection with no known cure.  The body has to overcome this.

Through it all we have never once questioned why?  However our Lord has revealed to my that my Faith in Him is genuine and that He has His Loving Arms around us all and is bringing us to healing.  This also has given us a renewed respect for "simple" virus attacks and Allergy attacks.

In unity we say THANK YOU JESUS for never leaving us nor forsaking us.  We can feel His presence and know that what is happening is for our GOOD and will bear much fruit.

Thank your for your prayers.  Jesus love you, He really does, and cares for your EVERY need.

ASCENSION

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven as witnessed by the disciples. Prior to that glorious event Jesus gave His final talk.  He commissioned the disciples to go forth as witnesses to the Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven and His Promised return with the faithful.

Then He (Jesus) said" When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled."  Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.  And He said,  "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and would be proclaimed in the authority of His Name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'  You are witnesses of all these things.
" And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised."

Then Jesus led them to Bethany,  and lifting His Hands to Heaven, He blessed them.  While He was withythem, He left them and was taken up to Heaven.  they worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.  And they spent All of their time in the Temple, praising GOD.  Luke 24:44-53.

We must consider, during prayer and meditation on the Word of God, how this commission applies to us.  The final verses in the Gospel of Mark tell us what we must do as disciples.  Sometimes we feel inadequate to "preach" the Gospel.  We are NOT.  As believers in Christ we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us and have the Power of God to tell the world about His love through Jesus.  We need only to ask The Holy Spirit for the knowledge and strength to share our gift of Salvation.  One way to share the Gospel is to give support to those who have the ministry of missions.  Another way is to  PRAY  unceasingly for all in our midst who may not yet have received Jesus unto everlasting life.  PRAY for the holy boldness to speak the Word, with love, and to live the life that glorifies Jesus.  Our very lifestyle is a powerful opening for people to approach us and ask why we are so happy!  AMEN?

Fasting

Fasting is good for one's physical body when done properly. Fasting pleases the person fasting, but does nothing to please God.  If we look at the teachings of Jesus concerning that which pleases God and refer to the Old Testament Isaiah, we clearly see the type of fasting that pleases God.

"You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes.  Is this what you call fasting? Do you think that this will please the Lord"

No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help." Isaiah:5-7

We cannot be saved without faith in Christ, but our faith lacks sincerity if it doesn't reach out to others.  Fasting can be beneficial spiritually and physically, but at it's best fasting helps only the person doing it.
God says He wants our fasting to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity. THIS IS TRULY PLEASING TO GOD.

Throughout Holy Scripture, beginning with Genesis, we are taught how to live and love as God loves us.  While we were wretched sinners, God our Father, gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins, rise from the dead and cleanse us of our unrighteousness. When we accept this fact we are to put on the righteousness of Jesus and follow Him.  He is one with the the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is open to your coming to Him and loving Him and demonstrating our Love for Him by loving our neighbors, including our enemies.

Pray for wisdom and clarity to see our weaknesses in the faith and REPENT.

HURTING?

The Bend in the Road

Author: Helen Steiner Rice
Sometimes we come to life's crossroads
And we view what we think is the end.
But God has a much wider vision
And he knows that it's only a bend-

The road will go on and get smoother
And after we've stopped for a rest,
The path that lies hidden beyond us
Is often the path that is best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load
And have faith in a brighter tomorrow-
You've just come to a bend in the road.

A Simple Blessing

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , Tennessee .
One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to
enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they
noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to
table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to
his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did
come over to their table.
'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice.
' Oklahoma ,' they answered.
'Great to have you here in Tennessee ,' the stranger said... 'What do you do
for a living?'
'I teach at a seminary,' he replied.
'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really
great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat
down at the table with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great.. Just what I need.... another preacher story!'

The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (Pointing out the restaurant
window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an
unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he
was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, who's your daddy?' Whether he
was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same
question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students.. He would avoid
going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about
12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late
and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'
But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got
caught and had to walk out with the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing
anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's
your daddy?'
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church
looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question,
'Who's your daddy?'
This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using
discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that
scared little boy.. 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family
resemblance now, You are a child of God.'
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a
great inheritance.. Go and claim it.'
'With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out
the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody
asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God..''
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a
great story?'
The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't
told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have
amounted to anything!' And he walked away..
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress
over and asked her, 'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left
that was sitting at our table?'
The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him.
That's Ben Hooper. He's governor of Tennessee !'
Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's
children!
'The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands
forever.' ~~Isaiah
YOU'RE ONE OF GOD'S CHILDREN!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!

ASK

One day Jesus told His disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

“There was a judge in a certain city,” He said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy. The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests’ “.

Then the Lord said “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end.  So don’t you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cray out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the earth who have faith?”.

To persist in prayer and not give up, does not mean endless repetition  or painfully long prayer sessions.  Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day by day, believing He will answer.  When we live by faith, we are not to give up.  God may delay answering, but His delays always have good reasons.  As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope.

CONTEMPORARY PARABLE

The following was sent to me by a friend and it turns out to be a perfect illustration of the way we shouldn't act as followers of Christ.   


YOU TOOK MY PARKING SPACE AT CHURCH

This should wake us up.
One day, a man went to visit a church.  He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there!  You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down.  A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat!  You took my place!"  The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.  Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit!  You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.  Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.  Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye,
"I took your place!"

FRUIT

Florida has abundant fruit trees, primarily citrus.  That fruit produces 90% of all the orange juice consumed in the U.S.A.. The trees that bear the fruit require loving and consistent tending and care.
Freezing nights, hurricanes, pestilence are impediments to healthy fruit.  Helping the trees to become healthy is the job of the grove keepers. It takes Work, without time off or vacations. The Gospel of John Jesus teaches us how we may bear much fruit for the Kingdom.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who REMAIN in ME, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.  But if you remain in Me and My Words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great Joy to my Father."  John 15:5-8

"Fruit" is not limited to soul winning.  In  this chapter, answered prayer, joy and love are mention as fruit (15:7,11,12. Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit; qualities of Christian character.

Remaining in Christ means (1) believing that He is God's Son (1Jn4:15)
(2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord (Jn.1:12,)
(3) doing what God says (1 John 3:24) and
(4) continuing to believe the Good News (1John 2:24)
and (5) relating in love to  the the community of believers, Christ's body (John15:12).

Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right.  But Jesus says that the ONLY way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him, like a branch attached to the vine.  Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful.  Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ?   If not, you are missing a special gift He has for YOU.

When a vine produces "much fruit", God is GLORIFIED, daily He sent the sunshine and rain to make the crops grow, and constantly He nurtured each tiny plant and prepared it to blossom.  What a moment of glory for the Lord of the harvest when the harvest is brought into the barns, mature and ready for use! He made it all happen!  This farming analogy shows how God is Glorified when people come into a right relationship with Him and begin to :"produce much fruit" in their lives.

Want joy? Want Peace? Looking for Happiness?  All we need to do is the grow closer to the vine, JESUS and FOLLOW HIM.

HAPPY MARRIAGE KEY #2

How interesting it is that so few understand the keys to a happy marriage.  I believe and know by experience that the ONLY way to stay in God's will concerning our commitment to our spouse is to work at being faithful to each other in EVERY REGARD.

When My wife and I were married we vowed, before God, to love one another.  Specifically, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, remaining faithful to each other.  These are VOWS.  If vows are not really made in earnest, then our married life begins with a lie and whatever years we remain together are Mostly UPHILL with much difficulty.

Jesus taught us that to lust after another is adultery.  In this modern digital age pornography is one of the most pervasive evils that challenge marriages.  How many times have we heard, "no harm in looking just don't touch" Be assured that looking leads to touching.  Pornography makes that which God has made sacred, pure evil.  Married sexual activity is blessed by God.  Sexual activity outside of marriage between spouses, is not only forbidden but is the single most cause of divorce in this nation. Another precursor to infidelity is FLIRTING.  "Oh, flirting is fun and innocent".  Really???  Flirtation is an overt action that sends a signal that we are AVAILABLE.  Flirting sends a signal to our spouse that we are not happy in our relationship.  This is a source of deep hurt to the spouse and develops a feeling of inadequacy.

If any of this this appears to be a problem in a marriage, it may not be too late to begin again.  Look at marriage with the eyes of God.  Accept the responsibility we undertake when we commit to each other, and do it over.  This time make vows that you intend to keep regardless of the temptations that may befall you.

God our creator and Savior through His Son has created marriage to be ENJOYED in bed for the primary purpose of bringing to life new souls to worship, love, and seek to be with HIM.  The pleasure that accompanies procreation is intended to be ENJOYED BETWEEN SPOUSES ONLY.

THE KEY #2 IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  REMEMBERING THAT LOVE IS NOT A FEELING BUT ACTION.

ONE KEY TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE.

APOLOGIZE!

Many arguments turn into causes of friction, tension and even worse over nothing.  When we disagree over anything it is because we believe our view is correct and so we defend our side vigorously.  I found many years ago that it costs NOTHING to apologize.  Even when I believe that I am absolutely in the right, it usually is over some trivial matter.  Forcing my view to an empty victory is destructive and sometimes can lead to serious rifts in a relationship.

If we just humble ourselves and realize that in any argument both parties are at fault to some degree.  Even if you’re sure that you are 100% in the right (which is never true) it costs nothing to apologize to your spouse.  Try it! It feels good and in retrospect it was over nothing of eternal value that was the root of the disagreement.  True love is being sensitive to the feelings of others and acting in accord with the love of God.

MODERN " MORALITY?"

As a mature adult I have experienced much in this life.  I have watched the gradual decay of morality in America.  This decay has been festering for the entire 78 years of my life. We are, today, living in a morass of moral filth that has come upon us so slowly and methodically that it is now almost universally accepted as healthy normative life.

When I look back at acceptable sexual practices from my childhood to today I am shocked by my own lack of awareness through the years of the corruption of human minds from God to Sin.  It has been the result of a lack of parental teaching and living for God.  As a parochial school student for 12 years of my formative education years, I was brought by my teachers and pastors and parents and Christian friends to be aware of my responsibility to do ALL things as to please our Lord.  Not to say that I was totally pure, I too have sinned.  I was totally aware of my sinfulness and had guilt leading to repentance and seeking a closer walk with God.  Why?; because I was given by God, through my parents, teachers Church that life without God as a focus, we are on the road to eternal loss.

It is true that we are saved solely by the Grace of Almighty God, it is also true that God expects us live according to the principles that He set forth for us live by.

It is with DEEP SADNESS that I see that the media, which is for the most part anti-Christ, sets the standards for modern day morality.  In nearly every case of gross immorality T.V., Movies, internet sites have and are creating an environment that promotes a freedom of thought and action that is totally SELFISH.  As a result the new attitude "winks" at sin as o.k. because it is personal and we should not judge.  Well, God is judging and as a matter of fact has already judged and declares that sin is UNACCEPTABLE in His sight.  He clearly defines righteousness and expects us to seek the same.

Our children's present and future lives need and must learn to depend on godly authority.  The daily news, where I reside, has a frightening flood of murders, shootings, rapes, robberies, hate crimes, and disregard for civil authority.  When I was a young person, I was taught and practiced great respect for the law.  A policeman was feared when we did something wrong, but at all other times we regarded them with great respect, as our friends and protectors. Not necessarily so today.

Solution?  God!!! He has entrusted those of us whom He has chosen to be His disciples, to teach, preach, and LIVE the GOSPEL.  

REASONS TO PRAISE GOD

Ever feel like you just can't find a reason to Praise of Lord?? As we have considered in past blogs, when in the doldrums Praise Him.  David in his psalm as recorded in #103 gives us plenty of things to reflect upon that are worthy of praise to the Highest Heaven.

Let us take this time to read and consider the MANY ways that God blesses us daily and even moment by moment.

Psalm 103 "Let all that I am praise the Lord;with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed  like the eagle's!

The Lord gives righteousness
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

He revealed His character to Moses
and His deeds to the people of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.

He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.

He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
 as the east us from the west.

The Lord is like a father to his children
tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
For He knows how weak we are;
He remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows and we are gone--
as though we had never been here.
But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear Him."

David, a sinner saved by the grace of God, wrote these words centuries before the Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the completion of  all that God has for us.  Not knowing what Jesus would have in store for all who fear the Lord and obey His commands.  Imagine the Praise that He would lift up to God had he seen the Great Love of God our Father that was to come through His gift of His Begotten Son Jesus.

All of the promises and praise for that which he understood he was actually prophesying of the day of REDEMPTION THROUGH JESUS.

Times tough?  Remember that God has placed all of the punishment due to us for our sins upon Jesus who willingly paid the price through His suffering and death and resurrection.

"HE HAS REMOVED OUR SINS AS FAR FROM US AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST. If you were to draw a line to the east and the west, that line extending straight out, not following the curvature of the Earth, would go on to infinity.  God does not remember the sins that we have confessed and repented of, so let us not torture ourselves over sins that exist no more.

PRAISE HIM!! PRAISE HIM IN ALL THINGS!! PRAISE HIM UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND DWELL ON HIS GIFT OF EVERLASTING LIFE IN OUR GLORIFIED BODIES TO COME, IN THE PRESENCE OF PERFECT LOVE OF GOD OUR FATHER.