Friday, August 17

Regarding my health:
I feel better than I have since before my surgery back in November. I have gained most of my weight back (I lost 35 pounds). I now eat anything and everything that I want. Although I do not have all of my stamina back, I am able to work full time and do most of the things that I need to do for the church and my sheep. Of course, even before I got sick, finding time to do all of the things that I need to do was dang near impossible, so that has not changed.
As you know, we returned to Duke yesterday to talk to Dr. Zafar regarding the results from my blood tests and my scans. Dr. Zafar was very pleased when I told him how I have been feeling. He was also very pleased to report that the scans show no new cancer. However, he continues to be concerned about a cancer indicator called CA19-9 that has continued to show elevated readings. During our last appointment six weeks ago we had hoped that this number was a false read. Since the number continues to increase, the doctor thinks that there may be more to it. But, since the scans do not show anything at all, he does not recommend that we "act" on the number right now. He did recommend that we retest with more scans in four weeks, instead of the previous plan of testing every three months. Diane and I agreed.

So that is where we are. You know everything that we know. Oh, unless you have not been reading my blog in the past and you need to be reminded that "It's all about Him!" I continue to have faith that God is using this for His glory.

How is God using you and your journey today for His glory?

Monday, August 13

Life is definitely not a straight road, is it? There are so many turns between point A and point B.

Sometimes the road has some beautiful scenery. This is what I found last week while on my family vacation at the beach. We borrowed an absolutely beautiful beach house with plenty of room for everyone. From the back deck, we had a view of miles of water in the sound. When we made the short trip across the road, we were able to sit and admire the spectacular view of ocean waves as they came to shore. Sometimes the waves came gently around us. Sometimes the waves came crashing to the shore. On Friday Diane insisted that we enjoy this view of the ocean in fierce wind conditions. Of course, Diane loves the ocean so much that she thought it was cool. Me - not so much. (But that is a story for another time).

Sometimes the view is pretty good. Today and tomorrow I am at a workshop sponsored by the Duke Endowment. Most of my view will be the inside of a conference room. Even though the conference is at the Hilton Hotel, and I will be sharing the day with some fellow pastors that I enjoy talking to, I will still be in a conference room.

Sometimes the view is a bit more foreboding. On Wednesday, Diane and I will travel to Durham for my blood tests and scans. On Thursday we will go back to Duke to meet with the doctor regarding the results. This is a view with which I am very familiar. It is a view that is necessary. But it is one that could give me some unrest if I allow it to.

No matter where I am, or what the view is, I am reminded that God has already been there before me. Nothing that I see or do will surprise Him.

What is your view today? God has already been there. Nothing you see or do today will surprise Him. Remember; it's all about Him.

Thursday, August 9

I must apologize to all of you who take the time and trouble to check my blog. I really do appreciate your interest and your love for me. It had been my custom to post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday/Saturday.
I have been on vacation this week with my entire family. It has been some very special and fun days at the beach. It has also been a time of rest and relaxation. But as a result, I have not kept up the blog.

I am sure that I will have some personal illustrations concerning my health and my many blessings in just a few days. After all, it is still all about him!

Friday, August 3

Heard enough about the Chic-Fil-A issue? Me too. That is what the enemy wants all of us to think. He wants us to make this past Wednesday a once and done event, never to be discussed again. Christians rallied support for Mr. Cathy and his right to express his belief about the definition of marriage. Of course, we rallied because we agree with Mr. Cathy, but at least we agree in mass about something. One of the things that I liked about Wednesday was that, as I was standing in a long line at CFA, I looked around at the people there. Everyone was patient, kind, polite and even smiling. Even me, and I can't remember a time when I was patient enough to wait 45 minutes for a chicken sandwich. Christians were actually acting like Christians. I loved it!
My prayer is that this type of event would not be a once and done deal. I would hope that Christians would rally around the homeless issue, the hunger issue, the abortion issue, the addiction issue, the breakdown of the family issue, the issue of loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, the most important issue of lost souls, and so many other issues that our Lord taught us to care about.
My prayer is that all of those people who were at Chic-Fil-A on Wednesday will be at the altar at church on Sunday asking God to lead us, both individually and as His Church, in whatever rally He chooses.
Lord, let it begin with Jerry.

See you in church!
It's all about Him!

August 1

It is almost scary how "normal" I have been feeling the last few days, physically that is. I don't know that I have ever been normal in any other ways. The only drawback might be that I was really, really tired last night after two great but long days of working in my church office, writing, preparing, talking to people, seeing new people, and trying to help people. God has surely blessed me.

Today is August 1st. If you do not receive my Tuesday morning Keeping In Touch through my email contacts, here is some of what I wrote yesterday:

Make no mistake about it. As pastor, I can promise you that Garris Chapel UMC is open to “people of all ages, nations, and races,” as our UMC baptismal covenant states. But also know that I support traditional family values, and like Mr. Cathy of Chic-Filet fame, I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage. That means that I believe what God said in Genesis when he said that “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).

Some folks have misquoted God when it comes to the Bible. While it is true that if you read the Old Testament, which certainly is part of the Bible, you may note that the Jewish people did not always obey that mandate. They had rules for multiple wives, as well as rules for brothers taking their brother’s wife as theirs under circumstances. In fact, even Solomon, the wisest man in the world had more wives and women than he could count. (Okay, so he wasn’t wise about women) But what folks may not realize is that God did not condone this part of the Jewish culture.

God's definition of marriage was and always will be one man and one woman. As Mr. Cathy has said, we have no business trying to redefine what God has already defined.

I am not homophobic. I am not afraid of civil unions. I am not afraid of any group of people. I don’t hate anyone. I want everyone to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Everyone.

And I will see you at Chic-filet on Wednesday, August 1st.