Thursday, December 21, 2006

Merry Christ -mas

As we near Christmas Day, let me first say, Merry Christmas. As un-PC (maybe anti-PC) as that greeting has become, it is all the more important for those of in Christ to remember to greet each other in the knowledge that the Christ has indeed come once and will come again.

In 1 Peter (1:20-21) we read this:
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
No prophecy – if it is a real prophecy – comes from the interpreter. It comes from God. This is called the doctrine of inspiration. We believe that God’s Word is indeed from Him. He gave us the written Word so that we might understand about the Living Word. That’s the real key to the season. The Living Word has come to dwell among us.
The first two verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews read this way:
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
The Living Word was among us – not just as a babe in a manger, but as the savior who came to rescue us from the consequences of our own sins. He spoke to us. He warned us. He rescued us. This is the one whose birthday we celebrate next week. This is the one whose first sermon was: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” This is the Living Word; the only possible way to heaven. All scripture is about Him.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

On Five Years Cancer-Free

I kept a very detailed journal during the years 2000 and 2001. It wasn’t everyday stuff. It was my cancer journal. It eventually grew to over 11,000 words. Here’s a bit of the entry for Thursday, November 8, 2001.

I had two doctor’s appointments this week. The first, and more important, was Monday. I went to see Dr. Tak. I was only there a few minutes. He discharged me. He used the word “cured” and I asked him about that. He said that we couldn’t exactly say that but that I was in “very good shape.”
I was released from treatment. I didn’t have cancer anymore. God had chosen to spare my life at that time. Obviously there is a reason.

I went through a lot of conflicting emotions during that period. I had to deal with how to tell my kids I had cancer (they handled it beautifully). My grandson William shared my cancer with me, pretending to take pills with me and telling whoever was listening, “Doc got ancer. I got ancer, too.”

Sandra was a rock. She was the one facing the possibility of widowhood. She went to every appointment. She drove me around when I needed it. She helped with every decision along the way.

One night Sandra and I were watching television and there was somebody on one of the shows who was admitted to a hospital with all kinds of problems. I said (according to my journal), “That guy’s in a lot worse shape than me.” Sandra said what are you talking about. My reply, “He’s got diabetes, heart problems and burns on 60 percent of his body. I only have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and prostate cancer.” She laughed heartily and said, “I almost envy you.”

Yesterday, I went to see my doctor. He checked me thoroughly (and I do mean thoroughly). I’m in good shape. I lost a bunch of weight (intentionally) this year. My blood pressure’s down. I still have to get some blood tests, but I expect them to look pretty good, too.

It has been five years. God beat my cancer. I’d better not waste the time He has given me.