June 29th Update: ABOUND

“Abound”: to be or exist in abundance, with the implication of being considerably more than what would be expected—‘to abound, to be in abundance, to be a lot of, to exist in a large quantity, to be left over.’^[1]

On the surface “abound”  is a positive word, right?   We all want to overflow with more money, resources and relationships.  Can we ever have too much of a good thing?  Of course we can.

I have completed my third week of treatment and the effects of the treatment is certainly beginning to kick in.   Last Saturday was a great day, I felt good and we went on a little trip in the morning and overall it was just a marvelous day.  But Sunday started out a little rough with nausea and suddenly there was more pain in my throat area.  The chemo and radiation is working!

I am finding it more difficult to swallow  and most everything taste like a tin can.  (metallic and hard to swallow)  So, I have started using the nutritional drinks and putting them down the feeding tube.  The first time I used the feeding tube I used a small portion of the nutrition drink and I thought that it wasn’t too bad. The second time I decided to use a whole can, diluted with water.  I discovered a new meaning in the word “abound” with “a lot of” and “in excess of” nutritional drink.  I put more in than my stomach could handle and of course there was only one way it would come out quickly.  So this nausea experience was on me and a new learning curve has set in.

Next week I have another chemo treatment on Monday.  Please pray for minimal nausea.  I have experienced more nausea than I thought I would.  Also, pray for my ability to swallow.  The speech therapist continues to urge me to swallow by drinking and eating as much as I can.   Also next week I see a dietitian and hopefully they will help me with the right amount of nutrition I need to be taking every day.

Last week I shared Romans 15:13 and I want share that verse again today in a different translation.

Romans 15:13

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope^[2]

We should abound with so much hope that it is “a lot of” hope for the world to see.  We don’t have to trust in ourselves to fill our hearts with hope.  The Holy Spirit stands ready and is indeed always filling us with His power.  We should overflow with hope; the world should easily see the hope we have in Christ,

I just got home from a dinner with Roy and Kay Savage and Roy and Sharon Moody.  These two men have been spiritual giants in my life.  Roy Moody mentored me in the 80’s when he was our interim pastor at FSBC Liberal, Ks.  He taught me the practical aspects of being a pastor. He took me by the hand and showed me how to make visits with the lost.  Roy Savage and I met a short time after and he has taught me the pastoral aspects of the ministry, he is always full of encouragement and smiles. Both of these men mean the world to me and it was good to talk about our alma mater Wayland Baptist University.

These men have been friends for a long time and they have had a significant impact on my life.  It is good to abound in friendships that love you and care about shaping you for kingdom work.  I want to express my gratitude and love for these men and  their families.

^[1]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains(electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 599). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[2]The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 15:13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.