God's Healing

I know many in our church body who are battling cancer and other diseases. Here is one story from our church of God's healing to encourage us all.

"Praise God! Please pass on to the prayer team and the many who continue to pray for Bob during his colon cancer treatment. Today I have witnessed a true miracle from God and His powerful healing. Bob was told by the oncologist on Friday to not be hopeful for positive results from the PET scan due to the nature of this tumor. The doctor felt he had a primary cancer site above the colon and bladder, and it was probable that the lymph nodes were affected. We were looking at four months of chemotherapy before they could operate to remove it. Well, glory to God, today's results have the doctors baffled. Not only is there no sign of any other cancer sites, but the lymph nodes are not affected at all and the tumor appears to be shrinking. We will see the surgeons to schedule his next surgery to remove the tumor, reconnect the colon to get rid of the colostomy bag, and repair the bladder. Of course, there is always a chance that the Lord will heal him further by the time he goes for surgery! I have requested the copies of each of the scans he has had. I saw with my own eyes the tumor outside the colon two weeks ago, and now today it is not there. It is only inside the colon and into the bladder, which even appears to be retracting into a tight ball and not affecting other tissue. The doctor said he has never seen colon cancer present like this in his career, and definitely had not seen scans contradict themselves to such a degree. It appears to have gone from 18.4 cm to 13.4 cm in this past week. Please continue to pray for him as I know the Lord has great things in store for him." — Shirley Parks

Finding Strength Through the Storm

I recently read an article by John Piper, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.” It was written on the eve of his prostate surgery a few years ago. While it hits home for me, the wisdom applies to all of us as we struggle through life’s crises.

I recommend you check out "Don't Waste Your Cancer" online here.

Peace!

My friend, Denny, sent me a note during the holiday season that serves as a fitting reminder of God’s love. No matter what our earthly struggles might be, we can trust that our heavenly Father has promised us eternal life that nothing on earth can overcome.

Up until a few days ago, I really was not looking forward to Christmas this year. Financially this has been a tough year. Spiritually, I have been drained, helping a good friend deal with the loss of his father and trying to understand how cancer is about to claim the life of a beloved friend and employee, Linda. On a much lesser scale, my Gators lost their chance for a perfect season and a repeat National Championship. As a result, I have been a bit grumpy, especially to my family.

My attitude has changed due to some rather unusual gifts. This is the season of Advent — the time when Christians look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring forth a Messiah, the Son of God whose birth and then his death would bring the gift of eternal life to all who believe. Material gifts that we exchange will always pale in comparison to this incredible gift of love and grace from God.

The first gift that I received in this Advent season was the gift of scripture. Last summer I was talking to a lawyer friend of mine that I have known for many years. I was trying to explain to him how I had started studying the Bible and using the Word to guide me. He was questioning how a book written two thousand years ago by hermits and illiterate fishermen could have any bearing on life in the modern age. I think I have a better answer now then I did then. I will try to explain.

During the Gators' recent loss to Alabama, Tim Tebow had the verse John 16:33 written on the paint on his cheeks. This was a different verse than the ones he had used previously and it was not something that I was familiar with from my studies. So the next day I looked it up and it reads: "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

These words were among the last spoken by Jesus to his Disciples just before He was taken by the Romans. The scriptural message is one of hope that we can overcome our daily problems, no matter how great, through faith. An interesting choice of scripture for Tebow, who has overcome many obstacles as he proclaims his faith to the secular world.

As I have been talking to Linda and her family as they face her cancer, this phrase has come back to me repeatedly. I have prayed it for her as she deals with medical setbacks, but had never mentioned it to her or anyone else. Yesterday Matt and I drove over to Orlando to see her for probably the last time. We had not seen her in several months. Before leaving my office, I meant to print out a copy of John 16:33 to give to her but got caught up in work and did not get it done. We arrived at Linda’s hospital room as she was reading Christmas cards. We made small talk and laughed about some office news that she had not heard. She told me that she was sorry to hear about the Gators. As she was saying this she started reading one of her Christmas cards. The person that sent her the card wrote that they had been inspired by the message from Tebow and as we sat there, Linda read John 16:33 from the card. I was blown away as I told her the relevance of the verse to me.

The timing of this whole event is amazing and further proof to me that Scripture is alive. God can and does speak to us in interesting ways if we open our hearts and minds to Him.

The second gift is the spiritual gift that is from Linda. She started to work in my office on a part-time basis several years ago. She came into the office at a time of significant turmoil. We had been operating without a receptionist for a while and the stress levels were through the roof. To this environment, she brought a level of calm and peace through her composure and compassion. She restored a sense of order and calm and could handle the most difficult client tactfully. She walks daily with God and is able to face any problem, even the pain and ordeal of cancer, with a sense of grace and dignity. She has made an impact on the nurses and doctors in the hospital and she proclaims her faith — both by her conversation and her actions. That sense of peace will long be remembered by Sally, Susan, Matt and myself as we work through the challenges of running an office in trying economic times. More importantly, I will strive to be caring to those around me and not get distracted by whatever troubles I may face.

Linda’s gift during this Advent season is the gift of love, that no matter how trying and difficult our earthly challenges may be, there is always the love of God and the gift of eternal life that this world cannot overcome. It is a gift that I will treasure always. It is a gift well worth sharing with others.

The Book of Acts is Still Alive

I received a report from a missionary, David Giles. He wrote about his time on the Ethiopian mission field and about the legacy established by his father, Ray. The elder Giles, a longtime Ethiopian missionary, is battling cancer but responding well to treatment.

Since I just got back from Ethiopia I thought I would add a note about that trip. The promise that Jesus made to the disciples that "whoever leaves home and family for my sake will receive 100 times in this life and the life to come" was proven true. Everywhere I went, whether among the Ethiopian believers or the missionary community, I heard of prayers lifted up for my Dad's health. I saw Ethiopian believers weep when they spoke of his illness and the impact that my parents have had on their lives. It was a blessing to be reminded again of the fruit of their ministry.

The seed sown continues to grow and multiply. While I was in Ethiopia I attended a meeting of the church leaders for both the Oromo and the Gumuz. I asked, “There are 35 churches among the Oromo, right?” based upon the last numbers I had received. “No,” they replied, “there are 54.” They shared about the churches and daughter churches.

On the way back into Addis Ababa from down country, I decided to pass through Nekemte, the regional capital, and attend our church there. I had heard that it was full to overflowing and our missionaries and church leaders have plans to expand our facilities there. Church went quite well, and as they said, it was full to overflowing with about 40-50 having to sit outside (about 200 total). There were many university students present as well, as Nekemte has a number of universities.

One thing that is really taking off in Ethiopia is that each church really wants to have a sound system with a loudspeaker and keyboard. No one really knows how to play it, but it is the center of attention, much like the Coke bottle in the movie, “The Gods Must Be Crazy.” On this particular Sunday the keyboard was blaring along with the rest of the sound system. Thanks be to Jesus that the power went out halfway through and the loudspeaker and keyboard would not work. A young man got up with a kerar (traditional Ethiopian guitar) and sang and led worship. It was beautiful. I think keyboards will win the day for a while, but I was sure glad to be able to experience the more traditional worship.

After the service, I was visiting with Negatu, the key leader of the church. I told him I was impressed with the service. He said, "It was your father’s vision to have a church in Nekemte. He helped us get this property and plant the church here. We have him to thank for what we see today."

My Plea and God's Response

This was written by Bree Morrison. Bree & Rich Littleton are Tomoka Christian Church partners.

MY PLEA:

I never knew cancer was going to be so hard. No, I don’t have cancer; my husband was diagnosed with one form of this enemy called multiple myeloma; a cancer of the plasma cells that is linked to the building blocks of the body’s immune system.

It seems strange realizing that someone you love is so fragile. Like a wind that seemed so strong and suddenly became windless.

The initial shock of understanding the medical cancer details, treatments, and possible life threatening conditions left me overwhelmed. Then, just as an order to the daily treatment routine seemed to settle our world, a great realization hit me one cloudy afternoon.

My husband did not have a cold that would cure itself with some fluids and extra bed rest. He had cancer. The words kept haunting me; there is no cure, only management of this disease. How do you manage a unchecked cell that doesn’t want to do the right thing to nourish and support your body? I felt helpless watching my husband take handfuls of pills that made him hyper, down, nervous, irritable, nauseated, and constipated, with more pills for addressing the side affects of the treatment drugs. I just wanted to scream out, “give me my husband back.” I don’t know this stranger that I watch daily transform into various people. I missed my sweet temperament friend, my lover, and my spiritual lead.

No matter what someone tells you, there is no getting ready for cancer. Not the person with the affliction or the loved one that stands by and watches the drama unfold. Desperate for answers, desperate for a return of the happy and normal life you once lived. Yet, knowing life will never be as it was before since this dreaded disease took control.

I go to God for guidance. I don’t dare ask God why, just how do I make it through it all? I ask, I wait for answers yet nothing seems to surface. No great revelations, no obvious signs, no special peace that give me strength and understanding. Only despair that the current is our tomorrows. Convincing myself that this is only temporary, it still lingers that change is only a threat of what worse is yet to come.

Why do I write these words? To comfort those reading it or to listen as I describe the horror of feeling helpless to control this ‘gone wrong’ life giving cell in his body. Confusing, frustration, and a sense of lost in time is the only way to really connect with this unusual feeling. Suspended in a bad dream that one only hopes has a morning. A time to wake up and take a breath, knowing it was not real. The whole experience was just an imagination gone wild.

However, morning comes and the reality is crystal clear, this cancer has come to stay at our home as an unwelcome guest. You can refuse to give it a key to your home, or feed it. It appears to thrive on just knowing how much you wish it gone. Who sent this evil seed into my husband’s body? Like a thief it dropped off contaminated droppings and fled in the night. It is a coward that aggressively destroys all things in its path for self gratification. You can’t wish this disease away. You can’t deny this disease an opportunity to run its course.

GOD’S RESPONSE:

God’s word says that through faith that all things are possible. Faith takes actions to strengthen the cause. This faith has a name, God and me. You can’t go it alone. For no matter what you want, God wants this disease to represent a purpose. So no matter what that purpose is, it is for the good of mankind. Maybe not for you or even for Rich yet for someone who needs it?

So don’t get caught up in the self. You are my children and I love you. I admire your strengths that allow me to use you as an instrument for good. Walk the good walk. Love me, be obedient to my ways. And more importantly, stay firm and faithful. At the right time, I will reveal my purpose. You will look back on these times with no regrets, only a sense of humility as you realize what a great role you played in changing lives. Keep helping those to move toward me and to their Heavenly home.

So, don’t fret, don’t worry. I am with you for all times. That should be enough to comfort you.
Step out and teach of my hope. Don’t wait for something to come seek you out. I love you. I will never leave you. That is my greatest blessing to those that serve me. For when you are at your weakest points, you will receive your greatest blessings if you seek me for understanding.