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 

Volume 15: "Christmases Past"

In the news of our nation, I just saw where two people won a total of 636-million-dollars by guessing the "right" numbers playing the lottery. I have news for the "winners". All of their new-won money will not buy them peace. Peace isn't found in new money. Peace is found in an old manger.

You know what I miss most about "Christmases Past?" I miss the sense that everyone was content and grateful with what they had. I know that ever since the beginning of Creation people have been grasping for more and more, however, when I was a boy at Christmastime, it seemed that most all of the families in our community were more content and grateful with what they had rather than desiring more monetary gain. People seemed more at peace with their own lives, more glad for their health and less focused on others' wealth.

Call it the naive perspective of a child, because maybe that's where my memories of "Christmases Past" originate? If so, then, I want to be more like a child these days, like I was in those days. I don't want success in my mind to be defined as more and more financial accumulation, but in more and more faith saturation.

As I write these words, December 18, 2013, my Dad is in the Greenville, North Carolina, Medical Center in severe pain. A few days ago, he learned that he has a tumor at the base of his spine. Operating is not an option because it could paralyze him. So, while we await the results of a biopsy taken yesterday, Dad's pain is severe. Hopefully, today, a desired diagnosis will be discovered and some form of treatment to reduce the size of the tumor and find Dad some relief will begin to happen.

In talking with Dad early this morning, he said tenderly, "I am in great pain, son, but I have good peace." In our conversation, financial accumulation had no relevancy. The only things that matter now pertain to internal and eternal priorities. Remember, it's our faith, family, and friends that deliver to our lives the essence of true peace.

Good News! It's "Christmas Present!" Don't focus on money and "winning" some big, complicated Jack-Pot. Simply, fall at the manger and find everlasting Jesus-Present, and LIVE at Peace with God and with yourself this Christmas and beyond!

Grateful            

Volume 14 "Christmases Past"

Christmas represents a miracle for us and the whole human race -- for "unto us a Child is born" to be our Savior from Sin.

And memories of "Christmases Past" race through my mind very often. As a result, I have been writing down words to  communicate "What I Miss Most About Christmases Past."

As my mind races backward today to yesterday's treasures, I miss my whole family being together and especially everyone being healthy.

I remember a certain Christmas Eve at my Granny Margery's and Granddaddy Gray's homeplace. Their home was such a safe place for me and even today I can still sense the comfort I felt that particular Christmas Eve in their living room. 

In the glow of the Christmas lights, I can see all of our family laughing and enjoying one another and basking in good health. Across the generations of our family, from my young brothers and me, my young Dad and Mom, then my older Grandparents and even my very old, Great Aunt Lizzie, we were all enjoying a short, but sure season of good health. 

The reason I am remembering good health during these Holy Days is very obvious. Yesterday, December 16, 2013, I got a phone call from my own Dad. After an ambulance ride to the local hospital, Dad tenderly told me that a MRI revealed a mass at the base of his spine. He was then transported last evening to Greenville Medical Center in my native North Carolina. While there are yet many unknowns about my Dad's physical wellness, Dad assured me that it is well with His soul.

So, more than thinking about "Christmases Past", today I am thanking God for the Hope of "Christmas Present". Though we are not sure about the physical wellness of our family, my heart sings out with this song of the season:

"All is well. Go and tell... Emmanuel." Indeed, "God is with us and within us." Blessed Christmas.

Grateful 

The Perfect Storm

Today, I received a message for prayer from someone facing a somewhat scary horizon, yes an uncertain health challenge. The writer of the e-mail ended by saying: "I can't help but believe that this storm will be a storm of perfection in my life." I almost immediately thought of three words: "The Perfect Storm?"

Let us all take comfort, especially in the face of uncertain storms, that Jesus is the Master of every storm so He can make every storm that blows our way The Perfect Storm.

Nahum 1:3 (NKJV) -- The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm.

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

Request for Right Relationship

Dearest my Lord God Almighty:

I pray that your Holiness will be my wholeness and that I might share Your Spiritual Health to those I encounter. Lord, I give You my heart. Make it Wholly Yours and Holy like Yours. I want to be in right relationship with You, my Lord, and I want that right relationship to be a prescription of peace for others whose souls are seeking for Your touch.

In Jesus' name.
Amen.

ALL JOY!
Grateful