Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Today is a good day. It has been a long year of grief and pain, but praise to God I see a ray of sunshine and I am looking forward to stronger and healthier days ahead. I could not have come through this journey without all of you and all of your prayers.
Today the oncologist gave us the result of the CAT scan I took on Monday. The results of the test were positive and the mass in my larynx has been resolved or in other words, it is gone. For that I say along with the psalmist “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
So many of you have been a source of encouragement and inspiration for me. I know you rejoice along with me. Your prayers, cards and phone calls have meant so much to Janette and me. THANK YOU!
I am not through with the journey. I will have a PET scan sometime in December. I will go to the cancer center monthly for blood work and to see the doctor. I still have a feeding tube and I am still not eating enough to have it removed. The feeding tube area had a small infection, but it is getting better. My strength is still not where I would like for it to be, but each day I see small improvements.
This may be a journey that will always be with me for the rest of my life. But I know I am not the only one on a cancer journey. I have at least three relatives going through cancer treatment. I also have many friends who are right in the midst of their own personal journey with cancer. My prayer life has been keenly improved with daily request for all of my friends and relatives who are on their journey.
My wife asked me if I was anxious to get the results today and I said not really. I know that God is in control and whatever the results were that they would be what they would be. I am grateful for the excellent news. However, I know there are many who do not get positive news when they get results of their test. Yet, I trust God to give me the courage and the strength to deal with whatever may come my way.
I am looking forward to resuming some of my ministry in the days ahead. I was unable to attend the KNCSB annual meeting this year for the first time in a long time. I missed seeing all of my fellow ministers in our convention. I have been blessed with many friends and many mentors and many leaders who have been praying for me and encouraging me along this journey.
We gave many thanks to our oncologist and he was quick to acknowledge that it was not him but God who had done the healing. Therefore, we should all “boast in the Lord.” My soul will continually and eternally bless the name of the Lord; He alone is worthy of our praise.
Resting in HIS hands 