"More Than Conquerors" -- The Song

I listened to one song over and over again -- for more than an hour -- on Wednesday afternoon. After having heard just 24 hours previously about my Dad's UNC Medical report that cancer has returned -- aggressively, The Holy Spirit truly used a new song by Rend Collective to help me successfully turn all possible worry for my Dad into sure adoration and worship of my God. 

Lord, let us never forget that TEAM JESUS wins!!!! 

In Your Powerful and Compassionate Name, we pray. 

Amen.

Here's the link to the song below. Listen, my friends, it will surely reinforce your faith. (Especially if you listen to it in a loop for an hour or more.)

Grateful

Click here: 'More Than Conquerors" from Rend Collective (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO) - YouTube

Heavenly Bells, Hidden Manna, White Stones & New Names

Today, my Dad, Capt. Billy, has an appointment at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. He goes to get the latest opinion on the recurrence of cancer in his back and left elbow and to get future treatment options.

In talking with Dad last evening he said: "I am not discouraged, quite the opposite. I am encouraged. I am going to witness to new people about my Lord."

Dad then shared an experience he had yesterday as he was sharing and praying on the phone with Rev. Clark Langford, age 80, who lives in Virginia. Dad said: "Kerry, as Brother Langford was praying for me, all of a sudden, I began to hear the most beautiful bells ringing I have ever heard. I am sure it was the bells of Heaven and as I listened I was so very encouraged."

Well, there you have it. My Dad is hearing the bells of Heaven. 

This morning Revelation 2:17 so inspired my heart about the eventual end of our journey Home:

“Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give some of the hidden manna to everyone who wins the victory. I will also give each person a white stone with a new name written on it, a name that is known only to the person who receives it.” (GWT)

Let's win the victory, and be..

...Grateful 

Bad Versus Great

Please pray for my childhood friend, Ken, and his wife, Melinda, as they are going through a season of cancer on Ken's part.

Ken and I met when we were five-years-old. Through our twelve years of school together, our friendship only grew. Many people thought we were brothers. We are in fact, distant cousins on the Harkers Island side, but we are brothers in Christ.

Anyway, here is Ken's LIFE-theme below as he totally trusts God in his battle. He sends it in every correspondence:

Cancer is a bad thing but...

GOD IS A GREAT THING.

Grateful

Steadfast Faith That is Anchored

As I am on sabbatical with about three weeks remaining, many of you know my Dad, Capt. Billy, has been completing a round of radiation for recurring cancer.

Dad is feeling new strength and has a great appetite. Last evening he told me he enjoyed the best meal perhaps of his life, as Mom cooked Stewed Carolina Blue Crabs for their supper.

On Tuesday, September 23, Dad goes to UNC Medical Center to get options for his future treatment. His inspiring comments on that upcoming visit were: "Nevertheless, I will not worry!" Some people wilt spiritually when suffering comes, but my Dad -- through His trust in our Almighty, Personal, and Very Present Holy God -- has gloried in it all. It's been amazing to witness.

A dear church board member, Debbie, sent me this message recently. It so touched my heart that I asked her if I could share a portion of her message to me with all of you on my blog. She agreed. Listen in:

Dear Pastor Kerry:

I sent these words from my devotion in a card to your Dad the other day and I thought I would share them with you. Praying they will be an encouragement to you.

"God enjoys our faith in any season in life, but the trust we display in the dark is far more precious than gold. Nothing overcomes the enemy's tactics or thwarts his desires more clearly than that. When everything seems stacked against us and we trust God, praise him, and lean on him anyway, we have won invisible victories that are visibly celebrated in Heaven. Our faith in the dark is treasured by God." -- Chris Tiegreen, Experiencing God's Presence

Celebrating the many victories you and your Dad have won because of your steadfast faith that is anchored in our Lord and Savior.

Blessings,
Debbie

Grateful (... and encouraged... me & my Dad)  

Our Assurance is in the Almighty

I recently had the thought: "I wonder how my two younger brothers are really dealing inwardly with our Dad's season of 'seeming' uncertainty during his cancer recurrence?" Then, my younger brother, Stephen, sent me this song on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSJZoEoVPy4

Our allegiance is to and our assurance is in The Almighty!

Enough said.

Grateful

Draw Me Close -- A Song and a Portrait

Today, I share a song by Michael W. Smith, "Draw Me Close to You" and a portrait of my Dad, Capt. Billy. (Note the countenance on his face and the shirt he chose to wear on the day he would find out from his oncologist that some cancer cells have reappeared.)

Song link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_oYr-P16M

(If photo below does not fully display click on image.)

Grateful 

One of My Dad's Favorite Faith Songs

If you read my blog post yesterday, you already know that my Dad's pet scan and bone scan have both now come back as "ALL CLEAR OF CANCER!" While, Dad will still experience fatique for maybe a year and he has some measure of discomfort with his left leg, we are surely exhaling in praise to Almighty God for The Good News.

This is one song that has helped Dad endure these past 7 months or so. I pray listening to the song will strengthen your own faith. The song by The Gaithers is titled "My Faith Still Holds".

Click here: Gaither Vocal Band - My Faith Still Holds - YouTube

Grateful

Please Pray for My Childhood Friend

Please join me today and in the days ahead in prayer for my childhood friend, Ken. He got a health report that is disheartening. The medical team is not giving him much hope but this does not intimidate The Great Physician, Jesus.

I met Ken when I was 5. Many people throughout our school years thought we were brothers. We both liked that. Still do.

Also remember his dear wife, Melinda. I am praying for a miracle and for peace for them both. Please join me.

Grateful

Capt. Billy Update -- Cancer, The Holy Spirit, Steak and Sundaes

Before I begin, let me say, "Thanks for your interest in and intercessions for our family."

Here's my Dad, Capt. Billy, praising our God before the doctor came into the room to reveal the latest pet scan cancer report yesterday.

We got good news. While Dad still needs to have a bone scan to check his spine, the doctor said he sees no cancer in the body. He said it appears Dad has responded fully to his chemo treatments. He believes Dad to be in remission, dear friends. The doctor and Dad embraced after the doctor said, "The Holy Spirit is helping you, sir."

In three weeks the spine report will be revealed, however, until then we fully celebrated yesterday with hearts full of humility and gratitude. 

Yes, after the doctor's visit, I immediately drove Mom and Dad to Dad's new favorite restaurant, Longhorn Steakhouse, for a steak supper and afterwards we made a giddy stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream sundaes. Dad had his favorite, pineapple with coconut, while mom ordered her usual, chocolate with wet walnuts. I had a mini Heath Bar Blizzard.

Yesterday, Dad awoke with this song on his heart: "God Will Take Care of You." In good days or not-as-good days, we know God is Good!

http://youtu.be/-ORXnfjQAXA

Grateful 

Update on Capt. Billy ("Dad" to Me)

For those who are still faithfully praying for my family and are awaiting an update on my Dad's health challenges following his December 19, 2013 cancer diagnosis, in "brief" here's where Dad is:

This past Tuesday, Capt. Billy, completed his 20-day stay at the rehab home, Sailors' Snug Harbor, where his physical therapy has been coming along slowly but surely. On the same day his second round of chemotherapy resumed. So, Dad is now back at our island home place and will be transported back and forth to town for chemo treatments while his physical therapy will continue in the home. 

At his recent oncology visit, Dad's diagnosis was reinterpreted. The new understanding initially took our breath away, as the doctor said he believes Dad's diagnosis is not Stage 1, as we were told in December. The updated diagnosis is believed now to be Stage 3, maybe even Stage 4.

We finally exhaled as we remembered that our God is not at all intimidated by even Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Dad's spirit is still strong as he also continues to tenderly and genuinely encourage everyone he encounters. 

More Good News: Dad's new cancer doctor is obviously an extreme believer in Jesus. He told Dad to pray for medical wisdom from on high as he treats Dad on this Jesus-led journey. The new doctor assured our family that while he will diligently attend to Dad's physical needs, he will pray for him fervently as well. He softly said to Dad, "I will care for you like I would my own Father."

Whew... I know I've shared a lot already, so let me bring this update to a pause.

I talked with Dad yesterday (the morning after his second round of chemotherapy that lasted for nine long hours). Dad slept well that night and said he really felt good. 

And as for Mom, Lady Melba? She's surely been nearly overwhelmed a few times, but told me this powerful information yesterday: "The Lord is our Comforter and Helper." Then, she added:  "I am learning to obey these words of Jesus: 'Don't worry about tomorrow.'"

Grateful 

Impossibility Has Lost Its Meaning!

I was recently included in a prayer e-mail for a dear friend of mine, Jenny, who is battling some medical challenges associated with the often feared C-word. Here's a portion of the prayer a friend offered on Jenny's behalf:

Your tears flow from God's cheeks. He has known about this cancer (or your problem) far longer than you. He is grieved beyond our poor ability to understand. He holds you close, as you weep together. No heartache, no suffering, no disappointment that we experience has not fully pained our Savior. Not only does He suffer with us, He comforts us with His tears.

It is too easy to say, "God's grace is sufficient." However, God's grace is sufficient. The more difficult our path, the clearer it becomes that God's grace is sufficient. We are unable to do much, unable to comprehend, unable to plan the future because of our limited knowledge and perspective. God does all of that.

You are part of God's incredible plans, you have been walking by faith, you have been trusting God and He has performed the impossible with such regularity that impossibility has lost its meaning! God is not on vacation, He is with you moment by moment. He is your strength. He is your portion forever.

Click here: Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher - YouTube

Amen & Amen.

Grateful

Lessons Learned in the House of Mourning

This morning one of my partners in ministry, Pastor Sam, called to ask for a sermon outline he heard me share this past year at a funeral for a teenage boy killed tragically in a car accident. Because Pastor Sam has a funeral tomorrow for an 8-year-old little girl who died of cancer, he couldn't get the thoughts I had shared out of his mind. I had forgotten the funeral outline (originally penned by Dave Redick) but quickly realized how essential these thoughts were to me at the time I shared them and how essential these thoughts still are. Here are just a few of the points in the message of mourning:

Lessons Learned in the House of Mourning:

1. Live like tomorrow is uncertain - because it is.
2. Live like life is short - because it is.
3. Live like death is certain - because it is.
4. Live like eternal life is precious - because it is.

Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 (NLT) -- (2) It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time. (3) Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT) -- To all who mourn... He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

Hebrews 4:7 (NIV) says, Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.

Lord, I pray for those who have lost loved ones long before they were ready to say goodbye. I pray especially again for the family of the teenage son who passed earlier this year and for the family of this precious 8-year-old daughter who just passed the line of worlds with cancer now behind her. And give Pastor Sam words of comfort for the family and friends at tomorrow's funeral. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

The Worst of Times = The Best of Times?

My pastor friend Ron, has been battling cancer for nearly six years now. This week his e-letter contained these amazing words:

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for me and my family. I am deeply grateful to be alive and blessed in so many ways. This coming February, will mark six years in this battle with cancer. It’s been an amazing journey. My doctors and friends in the medical profession say, “Ron, you should have been dead years ago!” It’s true. My early prognoses were bleak to say the least. In spite of the early, hopeless assessments that I received from some, I’m still alive and kickin’! God has seen fit to preserve my life and I am thankful. I am thankful, not just because it’s Thanksgiving and I love turkey and pumpkin pie and that I’m still alive, but I’m actually thankful for the cancer. I am thankful because through this long and difficult journey God has changed me. I know Him better and love Him more. He is SO Good and Faithful!

Pastor Ron closed his e-letter with these words and a passage from the Word of God:

Well dear ones, I’m thankful! Thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness, for my amazing family, friends and church, and I’m thankful for how He’s worked in me through this journey. Like Marvin Sapp sings, (in his song, "Never Could Have Made It") “I’m stronger and I’m wiser.” I can say it’s true! Wisdom is different than knowledge. Knowledge knows stuff, facts and figures - like the people on the Jeopardy game show. It has its place. When you need CPR, you’re glad someone has the knowledge to save your life! Knowledge is important. But wisdom knows God and His ways. It’s knowing ourselves in the light of knowing Him. And, it’s understanding life in the light of knowing Him. So dear friends, don’t resist or resent the tough times. Through them, you can begin to see everything else in the light of knowing Him. And, THAT is wisdom! Let me leave you with a passage I read this morning from The Message:

James 3:17-18 (MSG) (17) Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. (18) You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

May you be wise without being a “wise guy!” May your wisdom be humble and rooted in your personal life in a knowledge of Christ. And, may your wisdom be marked by a holy life and robust community!

Amazingly Graced,
Pastor Ron

Thanks Pastor Ron for testifying to us that The Worst of Times Can Indeed Equal the Best of Times, and we continue to plead the cleansing blood of our Jesus over your precious life, wise friend.

ALL JOY!
Grateful