End of the week musings:
God has given me a good week physically. I was able to get a lot of paperwork and the such finished off this week. I am especially thankful for that, considering that when Monday morning comes and we begin these new rounds of chemotherapy we don't know what to expect regarding how my body will react.
God has given me a good week emotionally. Even though it is a natural thing to be concerned about restarting treatments, my family, church family, and friends have given me encouragement through the many ways that they show their love.
God has given me a good week spiritually. Due to much time and effort on the part of my younger son, Gabe along with many others, we had a great run/walk event at GC today. Yes, an "event" can be spiritual outside of normal worship. And I am so looking forward to tomorrow when we celebrate our annual Homecoming Day at Garris Chapel. I am looking forward to a time, not only of worship, but a time of reflection and a time of anticipation. It will be an extra blessing due to the fact that my older son, Brad will be bringing the message. I'm praying that God will send the people who need to be there. And I would really appreciate any of you who are part of my blog family who will come tomorrow and let me know that you follow me here. That would be such a blessing.
And finally, I would appreciate it if you will take an extra moment during your personal prayer time on Monday to send up an extra prayer that these weeks of chemo treatments will do the job of helping me to heal without kicking my butt so much.
Why not take a moment this evening to consider what God has given you this week. Write them down. You might be surprised what comes up.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Wednesday, October 9
WoHoo Mike, Mike, Mike. Oh, that's right. I'm not a camel either. I might be a donkey, I don't know. But today is Wednesday, which is hump day for many. Rejoice and be glad in it!
As you know, I watch more commercials than I do actual television shows. Part of that is because the quality of good television is almost completely gone - if there really ever was any. I continue to pray for WHFL-TV Christian Television to be strong and steadfast.
Also, I watch more commercials than I watch the news shows. The main reason is that I know that when I watch a commercial that sooner or later they are going to tell me what they are selling. That also applies to the news show. If you watch it long enough you will sooner or later figure out what they are selling. But I have come to the conclusion that I trust the car salesman or the guy that screams out, "but wait, that's not all. If you order today. . ." (you know the ones I am talking about) more than I do the news reporter.
Sadly, even though we live in the greatest country in the world today, it is hard to know what or whom to believe. So we, as Scripture tells us, continue to pray for those in authority.
For several days now I have turned on the news just to see if our government is still shut down, or to see if somehow the common sense fairy has sprinkled some duh huh dust into the eyes of those who will make important decisions. So far, I'm still watching the commercials. And so far, I'm still trusting in the ONE and Only Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. WoHoo!
As you know, I watch more commercials than I do actual television shows. Part of that is because the quality of good television is almost completely gone - if there really ever was any. I continue to pray for WHFL-TV Christian Television to be strong and steadfast.
Also, I watch more commercials than I watch the news shows. The main reason is that I know that when I watch a commercial that sooner or later they are going to tell me what they are selling. That also applies to the news show. If you watch it long enough you will sooner or later figure out what they are selling. But I have come to the conclusion that I trust the car salesman or the guy that screams out, "but wait, that's not all. If you order today. . ." (you know the ones I am talking about) more than I do the news reporter.
Sadly, even though we live in the greatest country in the world today, it is hard to know what or whom to believe. So we, as Scripture tells us, continue to pray for those in authority.
For several days now I have turned on the news just to see if our government is still shut down, or to see if somehow the common sense fairy has sprinkled some duh huh dust into the eyes of those who will make important decisions. So far, I'm still watching the commercials. And so far, I'm still trusting in the ONE and Only Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. WoHoo!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Saturday, October 5
Saturday morning. The house is quiet. Diane is at a class at the church. I don't know what your Saturdays are like, but this is not the way that they have been at the Mitchell house in a very long time. As a preacher, I always go back over my next day's sermon on Saturday. Sometimes I get an affirmation from that. Sometimes The Holy Spirit completely changes the sermon direction.
I think that for this week's sermon I am pretty much on target. As I sit quietly alone this morning, I am reminded that this cancer journey is mine to walk. However, at the same time, I am reminded that I don't have to walk it alone. If you are reading this blog, you are walking with me, even if I don't know it. (My stats show me how many visits the blog gets, but it does not show who visited).
Most importantly, Jesus walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. (Remember that precious old song?) I am thankful most of all for Jesus and the many ways that he shows Himself to me through many of you.
Take a minute. Whom have you seen Jesus in lately?
I think that for this week's sermon I am pretty much on target. As I sit quietly alone this morning, I am reminded that this cancer journey is mine to walk. However, at the same time, I am reminded that I don't have to walk it alone. If you are reading this blog, you are walking with me, even if I don't know it. (My stats show me how many visits the blog gets, but it does not show who visited).
Most importantly, Jesus walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. (Remember that precious old song?) I am thankful most of all for Jesus and the many ways that he shows Himself to me through many of you.
Take a minute. Whom have you seen Jesus in lately?
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Wednesday, October 2
Finally, word from the medical experts. Dr. Chang in Goldsboro and Dr. Javle in Texas both agree on some very important things. Keep in mind that to Diane and me - this is VERY good news.
In fact, this may be the VERY best news we have received in years.
Here is the deal: I have pancreatic cancer. I was diagnosed in November of 2011. In "normal" people, this means that this is a short-term terminal prognosis. But I am not normal. Here is what the doctors now agree upon.
*My pain is coming from a very small cluster of cancer cells in the region of the original sight. As we know, the cancer numbers have been bouncing all over the place for two years, so this cancer is also where that is coming from.
*Good news. Now we know. That is much better than not knowing.
*Better news. This cancer has probably been there for the entire time. It may be that they could not get it during my surgery, or that it just developed there shortly afterward. Whatever the case, this cancer is very "slow-growing."
*Better news. My oncologist are calling this disease "chronic" instead of "terminal." For those of you who have not had to understand the difference between the two, terminal means that I am supposed to die from the disease. Chronic means that I will probably have to deal with this disease for the rest of my life.
*Best news. Chronic means that this cancer is treatable and that the rest of my life may be "long-term."
*More best news. We have a plan. It does involve more chemotherapy, but on a much lower physical punishment level for me. Since it is long-term, we can make slight changes as we go along to improve my quality of life while taking it.
*Absolutely best news: God has a plan and I am still a part of it. No matter how long "long-term" is, I am thankful.
Please take a moment to pray a prayer of thanks to Jesus for me. I know that you have been praying for some good news. Now that we have some, please thank Him.
In fact, this may be the VERY best news we have received in years.
Here is the deal: I have pancreatic cancer. I was diagnosed in November of 2011. In "normal" people, this means that this is a short-term terminal prognosis. But I am not normal. Here is what the doctors now agree upon.
*My pain is coming from a very small cluster of cancer cells in the region of the original sight. As we know, the cancer numbers have been bouncing all over the place for two years, so this cancer is also where that is coming from.
*Good news. Now we know. That is much better than not knowing.
*Better news. This cancer has probably been there for the entire time. It may be that they could not get it during my surgery, or that it just developed there shortly afterward. Whatever the case, this cancer is very "slow-growing."
*Better news. My oncologist are calling this disease "chronic" instead of "terminal." For those of you who have not had to understand the difference between the two, terminal means that I am supposed to die from the disease. Chronic means that I will probably have to deal with this disease for the rest of my life.
*Best news. Chronic means that this cancer is treatable and that the rest of my life may be "long-term."
*More best news. We have a plan. It does involve more chemotherapy, but on a much lower physical punishment level for me. Since it is long-term, we can make slight changes as we go along to improve my quality of life while taking it.
*Absolutely best news: God has a plan and I am still a part of it. No matter how long "long-term" is, I am thankful.
Please take a moment to pray a prayer of thanks to Jesus for me. I know that you have been praying for some good news. Now that we have some, please thank Him.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Tuesday, October 1
Well, here it is - another month passed. October is here. I must admit that I have experienced a moment or two in the last 23 months when I wasn't sure that I would live to see the next month.
But alas; here we are.
I have been asked many times about where I get the ability to keep going without knowing what the future holds. While I will admit that cancer does shine a bit more of an urgency light on my life, I would simply ask any of us to get our heads out of the sand and simply look around. From the local to the international community, I have not heard one person who claims to know what the future holds.
So cancer aside, none of us really knows how and when this thing called life will end. However, some of us DO know that one person who does. His name is Jesus. Need more information? Call me. I can't show you answers. I can show you HIM - His name is Jesus. And it's all about HIM!
Oh, and one more thing. The path reports have been read. As mentioned earlier, tomorrow we meet with medical experts for more concrete info and guidance from HIM to them to us.
PEACE
But alas; here we are.
I have been asked many times about where I get the ability to keep going without knowing what the future holds. While I will admit that cancer does shine a bit more of an urgency light on my life, I would simply ask any of us to get our heads out of the sand and simply look around. From the local to the international community, I have not heard one person who claims to know what the future holds.
So cancer aside, none of us really knows how and when this thing called life will end. However, some of us DO know that one person who does. His name is Jesus. Need more information? Call me. I can't show you answers. I can show you HIM - His name is Jesus. And it's all about HIM!
Oh, and one more thing. The path reports have been read. As mentioned earlier, tomorrow we meet with medical experts for more concrete info and guidance from HIM to them to us.
PEACE
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