When I first learned that I had prostate cancer, I had to struggle with some personal emotions. How would this affect my ministry, how would this affect my longevity, but of greatest impact to me, how would this affect my relationship with my wife? Intimacy is the sign of the covenant of marriage and we both take that very seriously.

So I had to do some serious soul-searching, and it led to some very open conversations between Anita and I, actually opening some doors that we had shut long ago. So, already, even before the surgery, God has done some really neat healing and growth in both of us.  Sometimes the best healings are not physical, but spiritual or emotional! Those, only God can do.

What spiritual or emotional healing has God recently done in your life?

Tags: healing, marriage

This past week has been busy getting things ready for my surgery next week.  I’ve got some winterizing things I need to get done around the house, because I’m not supposed to be doing any straining for some time after the surgery.  I also need to make sure that everything is set for my absence at the church.  And, because I’m not a guy who likes to sit around and do nothing, I’m trying to save up light duty things that I can do at home for that period when I’m stuck there. Today Anita is picking up some prescriptions from the pharmacy that I need to start prior to the surgery.

My Mom used to say, “Be sure you wear clean underwear in case you have an accident”. Because this isn’t an accident or urgent emergency, we’ve had time to plan ahead and get all our ducks in a row ahead of time.

But, I wonder what people will think when the trumpet sounds, and Jesus comes back.  It will be too late to make any preparations then.  That’s what the Holy Spirit meant when He said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:7-8).  Be sure that you are ready.  And I sure hope Anita remembered to wash my undies.

Tags: prepare, salvation, today

The surgery I’m having done is a radical laproscopic prostatectomy, which means they will be surgically removing the entire prostate gland using robotic procedures through small incisions in my abdomen, rather than opening me up with a large incision requiring a lengthy recovery time. Great advances have been made in recent years with this new procedure and it tends to be much more accurate.

However, there are always risks involved with any surgery. The specific risks involved with prostate removal are that damage could occur to the surrounding muscles or nerves that could result in incontinence and/or impotence. My cancer is in the very early stages and is a 6 on the Gleason scale (medium aggressiveness), so the Dr. shouldn’t have to go into the surrounding tissue, but errors could always occur.

So I would appreciate your prayers for me next week. I don’t need weak and wimpy fear-filled prayers, but positive, faith-filled prayers asking God to intervene and guide the hands of the surgeon. In your prayers, be sure to refer to the blood of Jesus Christ (“By His stripes we are healed“) and pray in the authority of Jesus Christ. And, thankfulness is an important aspect of answered prayer, as well. So, tell Him what you’re thankful for.

By the way, what are you thankful for ?

Tags: authority, healing, prayer, risks

When I speak with someone who is having, or has just had a major surgery, I often ask if they have insurance to pay for the procedure.  I know that if a person has to worry about thousands of dollars in medical bills, that it can be an extra burden.  Perhaps you’re wondering about that in my case.

This past February the Board of Directors at the church decided to switch from our traditional 80/20 health insurance plan to an HSA (Health Savings Account).  We were apprehensive, at first, not really understanding what this new insurance concept was about.  But it has saved the church a lot of money, and has turned out to be a blessing to everyone.  One requirement of an HSA is there must be a high deductible.  Because of health issues with both Anita and I this year, we have already completely paid our combined $4,000 deductible.  That means that this entire procedure will be paid 100% by the insurance company.  Hallelujah!

Nothing is really free, though.  Someone has to pay that bill.  Its kind of like salvation for a sinner.  Grace is free, but Someone had to pay the debt.  I guess that’s what makes me stay in love with Jesus.  I know He paid my debt in full.

Tags: debt, grace, paid

I’ve been blogging regarding this cancer issue for a couple of weeks now and thank you for keeping in touch this way. We’re averaging 45 hits a day as people are checking on what I’m learning and how its going. But just as blogging is rather new to me, I’m sure its also new to many of you readers. Did you know…

• that you can add a comment to any blog by clicking on the ‘Comment’ box below?
• that others will also be able to check out your comments and be encouraged, as well?
• that you can check out what others are saying about the blog by hitting that same comment box?
• that I really do read each comment and am encouraged by what you’ve been saying?
• that I have a laptop and will be checking this blog everyday even when I’m at home recovering?

My surgery is scheduled for the week of October 27, just a week away. This week I’m focusing on getting my desk cleared off and getting responsibilities covered for the next month. I value your prayers on my behalf.

As Mark Twain once said, “The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated”. I protected news of my prostate cancer until I announced it publicly two weeks ago, because I knew that if news leaked out, the truth would be perverted in all sorts of ways. And that has happened. People seem to think I’m dead and gone already.

According to one report I have TB. To another the surgery was already over (I wish it was, of course). Someone else asked me how long I had to live. Why do people feel a need to embellish the truth whenever they retell it? The truth is I’ll probably live another 25 years, and by then Anita will be sick and tired of me.

This week anticipation is beginning to build as I’m scheduled for surgery next week. That means I’ve got a whole month’s worth of work to get cleared off my desk. I’m really thankful for a great staff that will keep everything moving along while I’m healing, and keep the truth going forth.

When have you had someone tell a greatly exaggerated tale on you?

Tags: exaggerate, Mark Twain, truth