Sunday, April 23, 2006
The love choice
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My name." Psalms 91:14
Everyday we make choices. Some of these choices seem more important than others, perhaps having a longer lasting consequence whether for good or ill. But there is one that we can make, and there can be no greater choice than this: choose to love God. Love is a choice, an "on purpose" decision, an intense, single-hearted love.
Why would I choose to love God? Because He first loved me. Because He laid down His life for me. Because He promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Because He is worthy of my love. The list could go on and on! This is not to say that I always love God perfectly. No, often times I fail. But God is touched by the purposeful choice to set my heart on loving Him. I believe that God is pleased that His child chooses to love Him. Because of it, He promises"I will deliver." God's deliverance may not take the form that I expect, but because I love Him and I know He loves me, I trust Him to deliver according to His plan--even in this valley called cancer.
The week past has been a rough one for Malcom in terms of dealing with the side affects of the radiation therapy--severe fatigue and painful abdominal cramps. There is only one more session left, that will be done on Monday. Hopefully he will begin to gain strength after that. Please be in prayer for him. He also has another chemo treatment on Monday. I have lost count of how many he has had at this point...18 or 19? Maybe someone can tell me!
We give thanks for the grace of God given even in times of weakness. We set our love upon the Lord.
Everyday we make choices. Some of these choices seem more important than others, perhaps having a longer lasting consequence whether for good or ill. But there is one that we can make, and there can be no greater choice than this: choose to love God. Love is a choice, an "on purpose" decision, an intense, single-hearted love.
Why would I choose to love God? Because He first loved me. Because He laid down His life for me. Because He promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Because He is worthy of my love. The list could go on and on! This is not to say that I always love God perfectly. No, often times I fail. But God is touched by the purposeful choice to set my heart on loving Him. I believe that God is pleased that His child chooses to love Him. Because of it, He promises"I will deliver." God's deliverance may not take the form that I expect, but because I love Him and I know He loves me, I trust Him to deliver according to His plan--even in this valley called cancer.
The week past has been a rough one for Malcom in terms of dealing with the side affects of the radiation therapy--severe fatigue and painful abdominal cramps. There is only one more session left, that will be done on Monday. Hopefully he will begin to gain strength after that. Please be in prayer for him. He also has another chemo treatment on Monday. I have lost count of how many he has had at this point...18 or 19? Maybe someone can tell me!
We give thanks for the grace of God given even in times of weakness. We set our love upon the Lord.
Friday, April 14, 2006
God at work
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus...make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21
God is at work. He has a plan. The circumstances of our life are not just random happenings. How can I be sure of this? It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives me this assurance. As I review His life and observe God's careful execution of a plan to seek and to save the lost--from the manger to the cross--I see a powerful almighty God who is perfect and powerful in every detail. Jesus' death made it possible for us to have peace with God and His resurrection proved without a doubt that He is who He says He is. This same God is working in us to accomplish that which is well-pleasing in His sight. That He even cares about what happens in my life from day to day is an amazing thing, but I'm so glad He does.
Malcom had a problem with rapid irregular heartbeat and was hospitalized for a couple of days. He is better now. Thank you for your prayers. He was able to go ahead with his regular chemo schedule. Also, the radiation therapy has significantly reduced the pain in his hip and shoulder. Praise the Lord!
God is at work. He has a plan. The circumstances of our life are not just random happenings. How can I be sure of this? It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that gives me this assurance. As I review His life and observe God's careful execution of a plan to seek and to save the lost--from the manger to the cross--I see a powerful almighty God who is perfect and powerful in every detail. Jesus' death made it possible for us to have peace with God and His resurrection proved without a doubt that He is who He says He is. This same God is working in us to accomplish that which is well-pleasing in His sight. That He even cares about what happens in my life from day to day is an amazing thing, but I'm so glad He does.
Malcom had a problem with rapid irregular heartbeat and was hospitalized for a couple of days. He is better now. Thank you for your prayers. He was able to go ahead with his regular chemo schedule. Also, the radiation therapy has significantly reduced the pain in his hip and shoulder. Praise the Lord!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Let God be magnified
"Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love (desire) Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified." Psalm 70:4
Psalm 70 is only five verses long. It really is an urgent prayer from the lips of David as he begs God to "make haste to deliver me!" In fact, he repeats this 4 times. From the context we know that he is being pursued by enemies who desire to hurt him. He declares his own inability to help himself saying, "I am poor and needy...Thou art my help and my deliverer." Verse four reveals the purpose: that God may be magnified.
I think it's appropriate to equate the way David felt then with Malcom's situation. There is an urgency in our prayers to God for His haste in delivering Malcom from the enemy--cancer. There is only so much that man can do, we are all poor and needy. God is our help and deliverer. As we seek His salvation, let us continually say, "Let God be magnified!"
Malcom began his second week of daily radiation treatments today. I'm happy to say that he is feeling much better, even able to walk without the assistance of a cane. He isn't needing as much pain medication either, so the doctor was pleased with the progress. This Wednesday he will have another chemo treatment as well.
Thank you for joining us in prayer for God's healing and most of all that in everything God will be magnified.
Psalm 70 is only five verses long. It really is an urgent prayer from the lips of David as he begs God to "make haste to deliver me!" In fact, he repeats this 4 times. From the context we know that he is being pursued by enemies who desire to hurt him. He declares his own inability to help himself saying, "I am poor and needy...Thou art my help and my deliverer." Verse four reveals the purpose: that God may be magnified.
I think it's appropriate to equate the way David felt then with Malcom's situation. There is an urgency in our prayers to God for His haste in delivering Malcom from the enemy--cancer. There is only so much that man can do, we are all poor and needy. God is our help and deliverer. As we seek His salvation, let us continually say, "Let God be magnified!"
Malcom began his second week of daily radiation treatments today. I'm happy to say that he is feeling much better, even able to walk without the assistance of a cane. He isn't needing as much pain medication either, so the doctor was pleased with the progress. This Wednesday he will have another chemo treatment as well.
Thank you for joining us in prayer for God's healing and most of all that in everything God will be magnified.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Cherry blossom days
"Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee." Psalm 143:8
The cherry tree behind the house is in full bloom. Here is a picture of Malcom standing beside it. He has had 3 radiation treatments and seems to be tolerating it well.
Although these are emotionally rough days for us both, we are sustained by our trust in God, knowing He is guiding us through it all. Each morning we "hear" the lovingkindness of the Lord in His creation and in words of encouragement from friends and family. Our soul is lifted up to Him as we face the future, daily releasing our worries and cares to His capable hands.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Hide and Keep
"Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings." Psalm 17:8
Fierce storms raging
Future uncertain
Focus on His care
Feel His protection
Soothing.....Safe.....Sufficient
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The outpouring of prayer and concern from so many this past weekend was truly an encouragement. We are abundantly blessed with loving, caring family and friends.
Today we met with the radiation oncologist. Malcom will begin a series of 14 radiation treatments tomorrow...one each day (Monday-Friday) for 3 weeks. The expectation is that as the radiation shrinks tumors in the bone there will be a reduction in pain. He will continue chemotherapy treatments every two weeks as well.
Keep the prayers going.
Fierce storms raging
Future uncertain
Focus on His care
Feel His protection
Soothing.....Safe.....Sufficient
--------------------------------------------------------
The outpouring of prayer and concern from so many this past weekend was truly an encouragement. We are abundantly blessed with loving, caring family and friends.
Today we met with the radiation oncologist. Malcom will begin a series of 14 radiation treatments tomorrow...one each day (Monday-Friday) for 3 weeks. The expectation is that as the radiation shrinks tumors in the bone there will be a reduction in pain. He will continue chemotherapy treatments every two weeks as well.
Keep the prayers going.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
No April Fool
"In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:22
When bad things happen, it is natural to search for the cause, for someone or something to blame it on. When no cause can be found the foolish heart begins looking at God with an accusing finger, attributing folly to God. I've heard it, you've heard it. But God help us not to be guilty of it. Instead, may we follow Job's pristine example of complete faith without charging God foolishly.
Facing the facts: so far God has not chosen to heal Malcom. We still continue to pray for that, knowing that God is able to do so if he chooses.
Test results: The bone scan done on Thursday reveals the cancer is continuing to grow and spread in his bones, especially the left femoral head which explains the pain Malcom is experiencing in his left hip. Monday (April 3) we will have a consultation with an oncology radiologist. Radiation therapy may be needed to ease the symptoms.
The pain in Malcom's hip and leg is getting worse by the day. He is doubling up on the pain meds per doctor's instructions. Prayers for the easing of the pain would be greatly appreciated.
When bad things happen, it is natural to search for the cause, for someone or something to blame it on. When no cause can be found the foolish heart begins looking at God with an accusing finger, attributing folly to God. I've heard it, you've heard it. But God help us not to be guilty of it. Instead, may we follow Job's pristine example of complete faith without charging God foolishly.
Facing the facts: so far God has not chosen to heal Malcom. We still continue to pray for that, knowing that God is able to do so if he chooses.
Test results: The bone scan done on Thursday reveals the cancer is continuing to grow and spread in his bones, especially the left femoral head which explains the pain Malcom is experiencing in his left hip. Monday (April 3) we will have a consultation with an oncology radiologist. Radiation therapy may be needed to ease the symptoms.
The pain in Malcom's hip and leg is getting worse by the day. He is doubling up on the pain meds per doctor's instructions. Prayers for the easing of the pain would be greatly appreciated.