Joe's Sixth Epistle
Today’s update is brought to you by the following sponsors: my bed, Smart Water®, brothers in Gatesville Penitentiary [Texas], pastors, 2.9, and the number 30.
Today, January 14, 2015, was Chemo # 9. Last week was
tolerable because that was Cycle 4 in my regimen, which leaves off the infusion
and the massive dose of steroids. But today is Cycle 1, which calls for all the
guns and translates typically into four days of survival mode. This, too, shall
pass. Believe it or not, I still thank God every day for this lousy cancer. I
would not trade anything in my 56 years for what God has taught me and changed
in me through this cancer. Nor would my family. For he has revealed to me
Himself and like Paul the Apostle, I count all other things as filthy rags in
comparison.
Last night was the first night in three months that I got to
sleep in my own bed with my own wife!
Oh, what a thrill it was to upgrade out of the hospital bed (a lifesaver when I
needed it) to our king-size pillow-top bed. I was giddy! The kids thought I was
nuts. The things I long for are the simplest things in life—walking outside,
listening to a friend over a cup of coffee, throwing a rock in the water,
fishing, dancing with my youngest daughter, Kiara . . .
Speaking of simple things in life, I want to take this time
to do a commercial. May I recommend Smart
Water®? Purity you can taste, hydration you can feel. Before cancer, water
was not my drink of choice. Not sure what was, but I know it wasn’t water. I’ve
never been a proponent of buying water when it runs freely from the faucet. Until
now. It seems that the smart people at Smart
Water have figured out how to bottle clouds! I really can taste the
difference. And now that I have to consume at least three liters of water daily
to keep my kidneys and liver functioning properly, well I am a fan of Smart Water. And if you want a double
blessing, buy it at the greatest store ever in the history of the world
(according to a good friend): Walgreens!
I have had several requests to forward these updates to
others and am happy to, as you instruct, for the Glory of God. Be encouraged
not by what I have penned, but rather by the Source of my hope.
Recently I learned from a dear friend that he and about 100 brothers
he ministers to in the Gatesville, Texas, penitentiary have been praying for me.
I am so humbled, honored and thankful for these men who in the midst of their
suffering would consider me. My heart is drawn to them. I find myself praying
for them daily and desire to someday greet them in person and pray with them
for their deliverance. Before cancer and this great work that the Saviour has
done in my life, I never would have dreamed of setting foot inside a prison. Now,
I see and know that I am no better than any of my brothers in Gatesville and
just as deserving a sentence as any of them—if not to society, then to God. I
love these brothers. Will you join me, brothers and sisters in Christ and pray
for these men, that their souls will be set free by Jesus?
Thank you, God for showing me the
love of a stranger who is suffering perhaps more than I. Oh for the day when we
all worship the risen Saviour as free men! Free from the slavery of sin! Oh
what a glorious day that will be!
During this journey, I have been encouraged by hundreds of
people in so many ways. One small group that has provided me with much
encouragement while feeding my soul daily is a handful of pastors. One of these
men is my own pastor, whom I love dearly, as he is faithful to the Gospel and
preaching verse by verse. Additionally, I have been blessed by four other pastors
that minister to me on a regular basis. God has sustained me as they take time
to share with me their passion for preaching the Truth and their ability to
rightly divide the Word of God. They have spent countless hours with me, either
in person or via emails. I thank God for these faithful men. What is amazing to
me is that each of these men has a profound ability to preach the Gospel but
have been called to, and is faithfully serving in, a “small church”. I often
have wondered why God doesn’t call them to “big church” so that many more
people can hear truth.
I am starting a new email list for any of you who wish to be
included as these men share their truths with me. Leave a “Comment” to this
post, and I will send you their updates a couple of times a week. Be sure to
include your email address. Please pray for these faithful brothers as they
face so many challenges in our culture that despises the preaching of the
Gospel.
God has been so faithful to our family through this lousy
cancer. We continue to thank God every day for His care and for refining us
through this suffering. I have shared much before about how He is using His
Church in our lives and we continue to be amazed at the faithfulness of His own.
God has left us speechless with the generosity of the faithful. It is so
humbling and yet glorious to see His handiwork. Never would I have imagined
that I would have been on the receiving end of so much outpouring from His
people. I want you to know that we see His glory through your generosity of
provisions and prayer. Thank you, saints! Thank You, God!
When I was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer October 22, 2014,
they tested marrow and blood to determine what stage I was in. Stage 1 is 0-3.5.
Stage 2 is 3.5 to 5.5. Stage 3 is above 5.5 and comes with an average life
expectancy of 309 days if untreated. My number came in at 5.9. Honestly,
without prayer and treatment I am fairly certain that I would not have made it
to Christmas 2014. Now, after three months, thousands of prayers, and nine
chemo treatments, my number is 2.9! Praise God! The Doctors are encouraged and
they are beginning to talk about bone marrow transplantation. My bones are
beginning to heal and my thoughts have turned to survival. I know this disease
is incurable, and typical life expectancy is 2-5 years after treatment, but
there are plenty of examples of survivors making it 10-15 years. I am thankful
for His healing. The pain is tolerable. The chemo is terrible. The future is
scary only because I am fearful that all He has taught me will be lost, and my
idols, pride, and criticism will creep back in. Please, please pray for me that
God will continue to heal my heart as He heals my body.
Lastly, I have a specific rather selfish prayer that I am
praying for: that I can be done with chemo in 30 days. Original time frame was six
months, but four months sounds much better. Will you pray with me? God doesn’t
promise healing or shorter-than-normal chemo. He promises healing to the soul
and rest for the weary. He also delights in giving good gifts to His children
and glorifying Himself. Perhaps he will delight in granting my request.
I am praying for
you as I trust in Christ alone,
Joe
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